A novel published in 1873, one of the most notable works by Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov (1831–1895), an author admired by Maxim Gorky, Walter Benjamin, and Thomas Mann. During a boat trip on Lake Ladoga, the protagonist tells the other passengers about his incredible life, full of adventures and mishaps, some of them extraordinary, all very well narrated. The underlying theme is a long process of falls and purification, of a soul in which strong passions coexist with a generous and courageous heart and a steadfast, simple faith. Very well written, it reads almost like an adventure novel, with its action, descriptions of various settings and customs, dialogues...

L.R. (2009)