
In this vivid anthology, the author brings the gritty world of turn‑of‑the‑century Russia to life through a handful of striking short pieces. The opening tale immerses listeners in a noisy seaport, where the clang of iron, the hiss of steam engines, and the shouts of dockworkers compose a relentless symphony of labor. Through keen observation, the narrative captures the fragile humanity of the men and women who toil beneath the towering machines that dominate their surroundings.
The collection continues with stories that follow wandering souls—“Kulkuri”—as they drift from village to city, from railway yards to remote farms. Each episode paints a portrait of people caught between hope and hardship, revealing their hidden strengths and quiet rebellions. Listeners will find a blend of lyrical description and raw realism that makes the struggles of these forgotten figures both immediate and unforgettable.
Language
fi
Duration
~3 hours (174K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2015-09-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1936
A self-taught writer who rose from deep poverty to become one of Russia’s most influential literary voices, he brought workers, wanderers, and outsiders to the center of modern fiction. His stories and plays helped shape socialist realism, but they also carry a raw sympathy for people struggling to survive.
View all books