Russian writer Lidia Charskaya (1875–1937), whose work for long decades was forgotten, was exceptionally popular at the beginning of the century and was “the ruler of young readers’ hearts.” The stories included in the book—“Notes of an Institute Girl” and “Lyuda Vlasovskaya”—are devoted to the life of the students of the Pavlovsk Institute of Noble Maidens, from which the writer herself graduated. With sympathy and love, she reveals the cherished world of feelings, thoughts, and ideals of the secluded institute girls. Charskaya’s tales, written in a solid Russian language, educate a sense of dignity, duty, and justice, and teach comradeship, mercy, and kindness.
The book is addressed primarily to a young reader, but adults will also read it with interest.