The Summer of the Lord

The fate of the outstanding Russian writer Ivan Shmelev (1873-1950) was filled with suffering. The early death of his father, two revolutions, the Civil War, the execution of his only son, separation from Russia... However, nothing could break his spirit. Coming from an ancient Moscow family with a patriarchal way of life, he understood the soul of the Russian person like no one else, able to stir the most severe heart. All his works were characterized by a rich, powerful, free, truly folk language. "The Summer of the Lord" is a historical-autobiographical novel. Choosing himself as the main character at the age of seven, Ivan Shmelev sincerely and with great emotion describes the life of his family, the white-stone, golden-domed beauty of Moscow at the end of the 19th century through the lens of the Orthodox year with church holidays and traditions. Very right, very deep, very sentimental, and very wise.