Release date is 2004-05-01

Mumu / Turgenev -- The Shot / Pushkin -- St. John's Eve / Gogol -- An old Acquaintance / Tolstoy

Produced by Nicole Apostola, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

"Stories by Foreign Authors: Russian" is a collection of short stories from renowned Russian writers including Ivan Turgenev, Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, and Leo Tolstoy, likely compiled in the late 19th century. The anthology brings together unique narratives that delve into the depth of human experience, exploring themes such as love, social class, duty, and the complexities of life in Russia during that era. Each story introduces distinct characters, with Turgenev's "Mumu" featuring Gerasim, a strong yet silent porter who develops a poignant relationship with a little dog amidst the oppression of his servitude. The opening of "Mumu" sets the stage in Moscow, focusing on Gerasim, a deaf-mute porter employed by a lonely widow. He navigates the challenges of urban life, longing for the rural existence he left behind. As Gerasim reluctantly adapts to his new position, he becomes infatuated with Tatiana, one of the household's laundresses, sparking jealousy and conflict, particularly as the widow plans to marry her off to a drunken shoemaker. The narrative hints at tragic developments, centering on themes of love, loss, and the silent struggles of those who exist on the fringes of society. This initial glimpse into Gerasim's world establishes a compelling backdrop for the deeper explorations of fate and human connection that unfold throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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