Cheerful Russians. Stories and Pictures from Life

N. A. Leykin is a renowned writer of the late 19th to early 20th century, famous for his sharp, caustic satire that exposes the morals of contemporary Russian society. At the same time, he never reduced the heroes of his works to one-dimensional caricatures. All of them are living people, and these images are still recognizable in our surroundings. Perhaps the social classes have faded into the past, and now you won't encounter any merchants, clerks, peasants, or state councilors on the street, but the Russian mentality and unique national character are inherent in both our ancestors and us. The way of life of Russians from the past and the century before that sometimes subtly, and sometimes vividly, reminds us of our compatriots even now, in the 21st century. Leykin's talent is not limited to satire: in the works included in this collection, joy intertwines with tragedy, and the cheerful with the sad — laughter through tears, as in life.