Left-handed. The Tale of the Tula Cross-eyed Lefty and the Steel Flea

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov (1831–1895) was a classic of 19th-century Russian literature. He traveled extensively throughout the country and interacted with ordinary people. This gave the future writer invaluable knowledge of true Russian life and its way of life, which he depicted in his work.

"The Tale of the Tula Cross-eyed Lefty and the Steel Flea" was first published in the magazine "Rus'" in 1881. This work was destined to become outstanding. Many readers believed it to be a true folk tale with no author. The image of the lefty became proverbial, just like the expression "to shoe a flea." Long before creating the work, Leskov had a special notebook in which he recorded various dialectical and distorted words heard from the people.

In our book, Leskov's work is presented with illustrations by the famous Soviet artist and animator Arkady Tyurin (1932–2003). Initially, the artist created illustrations for his diploma project, and in 1964, he worked as a set designer on the animated film "Lefty" under the direction of the famous director I. Ivanov-Vano. This animated film was awarded an honorary diploma at the VII International Festival of Short Films and Documentaries in Leipzig. Years later, Arkady Tyurin revisited the illustration of "Lefty," now using animation techniques. Subsequently, the edition with the updated drawings by the artist was nominated for the State Prize of the USSR.
For middle school age.