In the humorous or satirical genre, The Village of Stepanchikovo and Its Inhabitants offers a sharp and biting portrayal of 19th-century provincial Russia. The plot, written in the tone of a light sentimental comedy, allows the Russian author to sketch the psychological portrait of a whole gallery of characters, including the landowner, his family, the serfs, friends, and parasites. Much of its irony and humour lies in the use of “speaking surnames” that define the nature of the characters.

It is written with one of the characters, Sergey Alexandrovich, acting as both author and narrator of the story.