Gambrinus

In 1907, the great classic Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin created one of his most famous novellas—“Gambrinus.”

It reveals the life of a beer hall with the same name in a port city in the south of Russia. Harsh daily life of sailors, the heroism of fishermen, life to the fullest. Love to the end, fights to the point of blood, friendship for life, loyalty without reserve, beer to the bottom. That’s how the inhabitants of the beer hall “Gambrinus” lived.

Regulars, waiters, Madame Ivanova, случайно оказавшиеся in the beer hall guests, sailors and fishermen, workers and merchants—all of them knew and loved Sashka. He was the heart and soul of “Gambrinus.” His good-natured, cheerful little monkey-like face drew people in. But his main talent was not that.

The violin—yes, it was precisely the violin in Sashka’s hands that made people cry and laugh, make friends and fight, think and dance. Sashka, with his gentle funny kindness that shone from his eyes, and/or with the talent that commanded respect, and/or with his readiness to fulfill the requests of the regulars, could calm any brawl, any wild temper.

No hardships of life, twists of fate, and injustices could kill the talent or extinguish the spark of kindness in Sashka.

Alice reads the novella in a ringing, clear voice. Like the very violin of Sashka, the narrator’s voice alternates—first it rings, then it delights, then it makes you sad. An amazingly well-chosen musical accompaniment will give you real pleasure from listening to the audiobook “Gambrinus.”