The Provincial and the Provincial Woman

Viktor Klyucharev is slightly over thirty, but he has already made it in life, married successfully, and had two children. However, a happy marriage is only outwardly prosperous. Viktor leads a double life—it turns out that one love isn’t enough for happiness. And even two loves…

Valechka Chekina loved Balzac’s novels from childhood, fell in love quickly and—each time—forever. Having been married twice, she, like Madame Bovary, continued searching for the ideal of a man. At the same time she injured those who truly loved her…

In his stories “The Provincial” and “The Provincial Girl,” Makanin makes you think about the ancient and harsh nature of human feelings. He shows surprising fates and even more surprising characters—people who are sinful and vulnerable, yet wonderful. First you judge them, and then suddenly you feel an incredible sympathy and understanding.

Contents:

The Provincial

The Provincial Girl