The Lower Depths. Childhood. Song of the Stormy Petrel. Makar Chudra

One volume that brings together Maxim Gorky’s main works from the school curriculum: “At the Bottom,” “Childhood,” “The Song of the Stormy Petrel,” “Makar Chudra,” “The Old Woman Izergil,” and “The Song of the Falcon.” Suitable for exam preparation and essays, as well as for a first introduction to the author.

This edition includes the texts of Alexey Maximovich Gorky (1868–1936, real surname: Peshkov), required for study at school: the play “At the Bottom,” the novella “Childhood,” the poems “The Song of the Stormy Petrel” and “The Song of the Falcon,” the stories “Makar Chudra” and “The Old Woman Izergil.”

In the play “At the Bottom” (1901–1902), one of the key themes for Gorky comes to the fore—the fate of “former” people: those who found themselves on the margins of life, broke, and lost their previous position in society.

“Childhood” (1913) is an autobiographical novella about the writer’s early years. His childhood was filled with deprivation: after his father’s death, the family’s calm life ended, and the boy ended up in the home of a stingy and cruel grandfather.

“The Song of the Stormy Petrel” (1901) conveys the revolutionary sentiments of the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. In the poem, Gorky addresses the theme of impending changes and calls for a struggle against autocracy.

“Makar Chudra” (1892) is the author’s debut published work. It tells the story of tragic love between the freedom-loving Romani Loyko and Radda, whose pride prevented them from finding happiness.