"Gorshkov's introduction provides some basic knowledge about Russian serfdom and draws upon the most recent scholarship. Notes provide references and general information about events, places and people mentioned in the memoirs."--Jacket.

Although millions of Russians lived as serfs until the middle of the nineteenth century, little is known about their lives. Identifying and documenting the conditions of Russian serfs has proven difficult because the Russian state discouraged literacy among the serfs and censored public expressions of dissent. To date scholars have identified only twenty known Russian serf narratives. Four Russian Serf Narratives contains four of these accounts and is the first translated collection of autobiographies by serfs. Scholar and translator John MacKay brings to light for an English-language audience a diverse sampling of Russian serf narratives, ranging from an autobiographical poem to stories of adventure and escape. “Autobiography” (1785) recounts a highly educated serf’s attempt to escape to Europe, where he hoped to study architecture. The long testimonial poem “News About Russia” (ca. 1849) laments the conditions under which the author and his fellow serfs lived. In “The Story of My Life and Wanderings” (1881) a serf tradesman tells of his attempt to simultaneously escape serfdom and captivity from Chechen mountaineers. The fragmentary “Notes of a Serf Woman” (1911) testifies to the harshness of peasant life with extraordinary acuity and descriptive power. These accounts offer readers a glimpse, from the point of view of the serfs themselves, into the realities of one of the largest systems of unfree labor in history. The volume also allows comparison with slave narratives produced in the United States and elsewhere, adding an important dimension to knowledge of the institution of slavery and the experience of enslavement in modern times.

Generally thought to be the work that led to the abolishment of serfdom in Russia, "Sketches from a Hunter's Album (A Sportsman's Sketches)" is a series of short stories, written in 1852, that gained Turgenev widespread recognition for his unique writing style. These stories were the result of Turgenev's observations while hunting all over Russia, particularly on his abusive mother's estate at Spasskoye. A definitive work of the Russian Realist tradition, this collection of sketches unveils the author's insights on the lives of everyday Russians, from landowners and their peasants, to bailiffs and mournful doctors, to unhappy wives and mothers. Turgenev captures their tragedies and triumphs, losses and love in a set of stories that condemned the behavior of the ruling class. Considered subversive writing, Turgenev was confined to his mother's estate, yet his "Sketches" opened the eyes of many people of his time, proving him not only an artist but also a social reformer whose abilities ultimately affected the lives of countless Russians.

DigiCat presents to you this unique collection, designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Content: H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror. From Beyond... Washington Irving: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Rip Van Winkle The Spectre Bridegroom James Malcolm Rymer & Thomas Peckett Prest: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Edgar Allan Poe: The Fall of the House of Usher The Cask of Amontillado The Pit and the Pendulum... Algernon Blackwood: The Willows The Wendigo Ancient Sorceries... Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Heir of Mondolfo The Invisible Girl... Henry James: The Turn of the Screw The Ghostly Rental... John William Polidori: The Vampyre Bram Stoker: Dracula The Lair of the White Worm... Robert Louis Stevenson: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera Marjorie Bowen: Black Magic Charles Dickens: The Mystery of Edwin Drood The Haunted House To Be Read At Dusk... Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray Théophile Gautier: Clarimonde The Mummy's Foot Richard Marsh: The Beetle Arthur Conan Doyle: The Hound of the Baskervilles The Silver Hatchet... Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla Uncle Silas... Matthew Gregory Lewis: The Monk Ann Radcliffe: The Mysteries of Udolpho Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White The Devil's Spectacles Rudyard Kipling: The Phantom Rickshaw Guy de Maupassant: The Horla M. R. James: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary A Thin Ghost and Others Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Birth Mark The House of the Seven Gables... Ambrose Bie...

DigiCat presents to you this unique Halloween collection of the greatest horror classics, the darkest mysteries and supernatural tales: H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror. From Beyond... Washington Irving: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Rip Van Winkle The Spectre Bridegroom James Malcolm Rymer & Thomas Peckett Prest: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Edgar Allan Poe: The Fall of the House of Usher The Cask of Amontillado The Pit and the Pendulum... Algernon Blackwood: The Willows The Wendigo Ancient Sorceries... Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Heir of Mondolfo The Invisible Girl... Henry James: The Turn of the Screw The Ghostly Rental... John William Polidori: The Vampyre Bram Stoker: Dracula The Lair of the White Worm... Robert Louis Stevenson: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera Marjorie Bowen: Black Magic Charles Dickens: The Mystery of Edwin Drood The Haunted House To Be Read At Dusk... Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray Théophile Gautier: Clarimonde The Mummy's Foot Richard Marsh: The Beetle Arthur Conan Doyle: The Hound of the Baskervilles The Silver Hatchet... Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla Uncle Silas... Matthew Gregory Lewis: The Monk Ann Radcliffe: The Mysteries of Udolpho Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White The Devil's Spectacles Rudyard Kipling: The Phantom Rickshaw Guy de Maupassant: The Horla M. R. James: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary A Thin Ghost and Others Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Birth Mark The House of the Seven Gables... Ambrose Bierce: Can Such Things Be? William Hope Hodgson: The House on the Borderland The Night Land Horace Walpole: The Castle of Otranto William Thomas Beckford: Vathek George W. M. Reynolds: Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf Catherine Crowe: Ghosts and Family Legends Thomas Hardy: What the Shepherd Saw The Grave by the Handpost Elizabeth Gaskell: The Old Nurse's Story The Poor Clare... Fitz-James O'Brien: The Lost Room The Diamond Lens Marie Belloc Lowndes: From Out the Vast Deep...

Beware The Silence: 560+ Horror Classics, Macabre Tales & Supernatural Mysteries is a monumental anthology that showcases the evolution and diversity of horror and supernatural literature. Spanning centuries of literary contributions, this collection presents an unparalleled variety of styles, from the gothic horror of Mary Shelley to the psychological terror of H.P. Lovecraft, and the cosmic dread of Algernon Blackwood. It reflects a broad spectrum of themes such as the human psyche, existential dread, and the supernatural, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the genres development. Standout pieces within this collection underscore the rich tapestry of fear and curiosity that defines horror literature, making it a significant compilation for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology are titans in the literary world, each bringing their own unique voice and perspective to the theme of horror and supernatural mysteries. The collection aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements, showcasing the genre's adaptability and resilience through different epochs. From the romanticism of Edgar Allan Poe to the modernist ambiguities of Ambrose Bierce, and the pioneering science fiction horror of H.G. Wells, the anthology is a testament to the genres ability to evolve while exploring the depths of human fear, curiosity, and imagination. Together, these authors weave a complex narrative that transcends the simply macabre, inviting readers to ponder the human condition and the unknown. Beware The Silence offers readers an extraordinary opportunity to immerse themselves in the multifaceted world of horror and supernatural mysteries. It is an invitation to explore the shadows of literature, where the echoes of centuries-old fears, desires, and uncertainties resonate with contemporary readers. This anthology is not only an academic treasure trove for students and scholars of literary studies but also a labyrinth of terror and wonder for the lay reader. Each page turn promises to enrich ones understanding of the genre, providing a panoramic view of its historical evolution and the myriad ways it continues to captivate the imagination. For anyone eager to delve into the abyss of horror literature, this collection serves as both a comprehensive guide and a thrilling companion.

The Horror Beyond Life's Edge: 560+ Macabre Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Dark Tales is a literary journey that transcends the commonplace, delving into the realms of the macabre, the supernatural, and the darkly mysterious. This anthology boasts a collection that spans a broad spectrum of literary styles, from gothic horror and eerie ghost stories to unsettling tales of the uncanny and supernatural investigations. The diversity and significance of the works included cannot be overstated, featuring standout pieces from the Victorian era to the early twentieth century, encapsulating the evolution of horror and mystery in literature. The anthology serves as a conduit to explore the depths of human fears, anxieties, and the unknown through a compendium of narratives that challenge the boundaries of imagination and reality. The contributing authors and editors of this collection represent a pantheon of literary giants, each bringing their unique voice and perspective to the overarching theme. From the psychological terror of Edgar Allan Poe to the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft; from the gothic romance of the Brontë sisters to the social critiques of Charles Dickens and the pioneering science fiction of H.G. Wells; these authors collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of horror and supernatural literature. The anthology aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements, enriching the readers understanding by offering a myriad of lenses through which to view the complexities of fear, the supernatural, and the human condition. The Horror Beyond Life's Edge: 560+ Macabre Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Dark Tales is an indispensable volume for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the breadth and depth of gothic, horror, and supernatural literature. This anthology offers a unique opportunity to explore a multiplicity of perspectives, themes, and narratives within a single tome. It is a call to readers to delve into the abyss of the macabre, to confront the shadows lurking at the edges of life, and to explore the diversity of human expression found in the confrontation with the unknown. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, this collection stands as a monumental testament to the enduring power and appeal of the horror and mystery genre.