One of two audiobook collections published by *Azbuka* in the “Russian Literature. Big Books” series in year 26. It includes, in my view, the most significant novella by the author *Sister of Sorrow*, as well as two short novellas, *Clouds Over the Road* and *A Million in Sweat*, and two documentary novellas.
In Shefner’s “fantastical” collection, also released by *Azbuka*, one thing stands out: the key element of his style is an ordinary miracle. For the heroes of Shefner’s works, miracles are something familiar—they create, invent, tinker with things, and then everything happens by itself. The important thing is that this miracle brings joy or benefit or changes the world for the better for decent people—something that rarely happens in real life.
In this book, the miracle is different. Not in the process of creation, invention, or craftsmanship. Called “Sister of Sorrow” after the main work in the collection, it is more like a confession by a hero who has endured so much that you would never wish anything like it on anyone. This is a book about the meaning of life and the complex paths a person takes to ultimately understand their purpose. War, harsh pre-war years, dreams, hopes, desires swallowed up by history—in these honest stories gathered under one cover, the life of a person is revealed: witness, participant, and conversational partner, speaking to time in the same language. This is real life—like wine aged to perfection: it doesn’t dull the feelings but inspires.