Stories

In this book by the talented Russian writer, actor, and screenwriter Vasily Makarovich Shukshin, the following stories are included: «Eternally Dissatisfied Yakovlev», «Grief», «Wife Sends Her Husband Off to Paris», «Microscope», «My, Excuse Me, Madame!», «Deryabin the Man», «At the Cemetery», «An Accidental Shot», «Pyetka Krasnov Tells», «Petr», «A Letter», «Mother’s Dreams», «Stepka», «My Son-in-Law Stole a Truckload of Firewood».

In Shukshin’s stories, the reader finds a resonance with many of their own thoughts. The stories describe everyday events. Such things could happen to almost anyone. Yet precisely in this ordinariness lies the deepest meaning. V. Shukshin has a masterful eye for separate details that turn out to be extremely, extremely important for a person. The author also gently pokes fun at his heroes, making them sometimes funny and absurd. But his humor is warm and human. He does not condemn or despise his heroes; on the contrary, he truly loves them and is always concerned about them.

In Shukshin’s works, the characters seem alive and real. The reader gets the feeling that they have personally known someone like them. The author draws human characters very convincingly. Each of Shukshin’s story heroes lives a life of their own — entirely special. Very often a person turns out to be absolutely alone. And there is no one to share their grief with. But sometimes a person does find some outlet. And when the reader learns about it, they rejoice at such an unexpected escape. For example, in the story "The Microscope" the main character tries to get rid of his spiritual loneliness through an expensive and ridiculous purchase. He is both funny and amusing — yet watching his actions, the reader comes to the conclusion that the hero is doing the right thing.

In essence, it doesn’t really matter by what means a person finds joy — whether it is buying elegant boots for his wife or acquiring an unnecessary microscope. And even if from the outside it seems funny and strange, in reality, under the influence of such situations a person understands themselves better.

In many of his works, Shukshin — observing his heroes with a warm smile — wants to tell about their search for beauty and the sublime. It is a kind of search for the meaning of life. Indeed, not only should a person just exist, one must also care about aspiring toward the high and beautiful. It is not immediately easy to find the goal you long for. But when it does happen, the whole life changes for the better.