Laughter Over the Left Shoulder. Black Boards

This book is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Soviet and Russian writer, a representative of the so-called 'village prose', Vladimir Alexeyevich Soloukhin. The publication includes the autobiographical novella 'Laughter Over the Left Shoulder' (1988) and 'Black Boards. Notes of a Beginning Collector' (1969). In the autobiographical novella 'Laughter Over the Left Shoulder', Vladimir Soloukhin tells readers about the way of life in the village, his childhood, joys, and sorrows. Important themes such as humanity and cruelty, the ability to love and explore the world, philosophical questions of existence, and collectivization are addressed. The entire narrative is filled with love for nature, people, and the native land. In the work 'Black Boards', the author recounts his experience of collecting ancient icons, their rescue and restoration. Vladimir Soloukhin traveled through villages, gathering information about destroyed churches, estates, and villages in an attempt to preserve and convey the beauty of ancient Russian art to future generations.