The first installment of the Russian Collection for Kids series included stories of strange creatures (a talking hen, anyone?) and fascinating journeys through unlikely places (like a music box). Volume two invites its young readers to visit with all sorts of animals and to explore different professions. This collection includes the following works: - About Elephants by Boris Zhitkov - About the Monkey by Boris Zhitkov - Pudya by Boris Zhitkov - Miracle Doctor by Alexander Kuprin - The Elephant by Alexander Kuprin - Ju-Ju by Alexander Kuprin - The Carpenter by Vladimir Odoyevsky - Chestnut by Anton Chekhov - The Blue Snake by Pavel Bazhov

"The Spy: The Story of a Superfluous Man" by Maksim Gorky, translated by Thomas Seltzer, is a literary masterpiece that delves into the life of a superfluous man, a character who is seen as unnecessary or extraneous in society. Gorky's work offers a poignant exploration of the human condition, alienation, and the search for meaning in a world that often marginalizes individuals. The novel is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged narrative that resonates with readers interested in Russian literature and existential themes.

Four teenagers grow inseparable in the last days of the Soviet Union—but not all of them will live to see the new world arrive in this powerful debut novel, loosely based on Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. “Spectacular . . . intensely evocative and gorgeously written . . . will fill readers’ eyes with tears and wonder.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune Coming of age in the USSR in the 1980s, best friends Anya and Milka try to envision a free and joyful future for themselves. They spend their summers at Anya’s dacha just outside of Moscow, lazing in the apple orchard, listening to Queen songs, and fantasizing about trips abroad and the lives of American teenagers. Meanwhile, Anya’s parents talk about World War II, the Blockade, and the hardships they have endured. By the time Anya and Milka are fifteen, the Soviet Empire is on the verge of collapse. They pair up with classmates Trifonov and Lopatin, and the four friends share secrets and desires, argue about history and politics, and discuss forbidden books. But the world is changing, and the fleeting time they have together is cut short by a sudden tragedy. Years later, Anya returns to Russia from America, where she has chosen a different kind of life, far from her family and childhood friends. When she meets Lopatin again, he is a smug businessman who wants to buy her parents’ dacha and cut down the apple orchard. Haunted by the ghosts of her youth, Anya comes to the stark realization that memory does not fade or disappear; rather, it moves us across time, connecting our past to our future, joys to sorrows. Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry’s The Orchard powerfully captures the lives of four Soviet teenagers who are about to lose their country and one another, and who struggle to survive, to save their friendship, to recover all that has been lost.

Companion disc features recordings of popular songs and vaudeville skits performed by some of Russia's most famous singers and comics of early twentieth century.

The writer whom Vasily Grossman loved most of all was Anton Chekhov. Grossman’s own short stories are no less accomplished than his novels, and they are remarkably varied. “The Dog” is about the first living creature to be sent into space and then returned to Earth. “The Road,” an account of the war from a mule in an Italian artillery regiment, can be read as a 4,000-word distillation of Life and Fate. “Mother” is based on a true story about an orphaned girl who was adopted by Nikolay Yezhov (head of the NKVD at the height of the Great Terror) and his wife; it includes brief portraits of Stalin and several important Soviet writers and politicians—all of them as seen through the eyes of the little girl or of her honest but uncomprehending peasant nanny. As well as a dozen stories—from “In the Town of Berdichev” (Grossman’s first published success) to “In Kislovodsk” (the last story he wrote)—this volume includes an unusual article about the life of a Moscow cemetery. It also contains two letters Grossman wrote to his mother, after her death at the hands of the Nazis, and the complete text of “The Hell of Treblinka,” one of the very first, and still among the most powerful, accounts of a Nazi death camp.

The Spy: The Story of a Superfluous Man by Maksim Gorky: Delve into the complexities of personal identity and societal roles with Maksim Gorky's "The Spy: The Story of a Superfluous Man." Through this narrative, readers follow the journey of a protagonist who grapples with his place in society and the yearning for authenticity. Key Aspects of the Book "The Spy: The Story of a Superfluous Man by Maksim Gorky": Character Psychology: The narrative delves into the internal struggles and psychological conflicts of the protagonist, offering readers insight into his thoughts, emotions, and reflections. Existential Themes: "The Spy" explores existential themes related to individual identity, purpose, and the search for meaning in a world that often imposes societal roles and expectations. Social Critique: The story critiques societal norms and the constraints that society places on individuals, raising questions about the consequences of conforming to or resisting these norms. Maksim Gorky was a Russian author known for his contributions to literature and his exploration of social and psychological themes. Through The Spy: The Story of a Superfluous Man, Gorky presents readers with a narrative that challenges assumptions about identity and societal roles.