Moscow, the end of the 80s. Anya, a newly minted student of the philology faculty at Moscow State University, decides to settle accounts with life. Everything that used to be valuable to her now seems fake. In a moment of deep despair, the girl turns to God, accepts baptism—and that changes her life forever. This is how Anya’s path begins toward finding true freedom and the meaning of life. But even in church, the heroine faces serious trials—one of them is a powerful feeling that flares up for her spiritual mentor.
In the audio version of the novel, Father Anton’s monologues will be performed by Archpriest Alexey Uminsky, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Khokhlakh, a writer and TV presenter. Also, Maya Kucherskaya recorded a prologue specifically for the audiobook—a message to the reader.
Maya Kucherskaya is a prose writer, philologist, teacher, and literary scholar; author of books “Modern paterik. Reading for those who have fallen into despair,” “Aunt Motya,” as well as the biography “Leskov. A genius that got wasted.” Creator of the program “Literary Mastery” at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) and writing workshops Creative Writing School. Winner of the “Big Book” prize (2021). The novel “God of Rain” was included in the shortlist of the “Yasnaya Polyana” prize (2008) and received the “Student Booker” prize (2007).