I recently read about the story of the Lykov family, who had fled the persecution of the Bolsheviks in Russia, and hidden in the taiga for 42 years in total isolation, living a hard life from the things they could fashion. They were so isolated that they were unaware of almost every development of the 20th century – even events as significant as World War 2, though they became aware of the presence of satellites, as new stars began to drift across their night sky. A geological party discovered the family during a survey of their remote in the late 1970’s.

Two children were born to the elder Lykovs during their isolation, and the youngest, Agafya Lykov is the only remaining member, who continues to live alone and self sufficiently even in her 70’s after the deaths of all her family. I can only marvel at her strength and resilience…