“The Devil’s Ravine” is a novel almost unknown to Russian readers. The events take place in Germany in 1810–1812.
The self-confident and cynical Samuel Gelb challenges the Creator himself, imagining that he can control the destinies of others and subdue death itself.
This devil in human form, who calls himself a sculptor of living souls, decides to compete with Providence. Samuel prepares a cunning attempt on Napoleon’s life and at the same time mercilessly destroys the happiness of his best friend Julius—playing with the lives of people dear to him...
The book ends tragically, and the story is instructive.