Maxim Gorki Books

Set in the depths of Russian society, this 1897 novella by Maxim Gorky explores the harsh realities faced by the marginalized and downtrodden. Through vivid portrayals and a social realism lens, it delves into the struggles and despair of those at the bottom, echoing themes found in Gorky's other works. The novella is part of his collection "Sketches and Stories," showcasing Gorky's commitment to highlighting the plight of the oppressed.

Set in the early 20th century, this short novel explores themes of personal struggle and existential reflection through the eyes of its protagonist. Maxim Gorky delves into the complexities of human emotion and societal pressures, offering a poignant critique of life during that era. The work's publication history highlights its significance, as it was featured in a notable compilation and also released independently, indicating its impact on contemporary literature.

Focusing on the journey of Ilya Lunyev, a boy from an urban slum, the novel explores his transition into middle-class society. As he navigates this new world, he confronts the harsh reality of moral decay that permeates all social classes, leading to his disillusionment. Gorky's work delves into themes of class struggle and the quest for authenticity in a corrupt environment.

'I could hear the frost crackling outside. Greenish moonbeams shone through windows covered with patterns of ice...' One of the most moving accounts of being a boy ever written, My Childhood is a both wonderful and harrowing memoir - and one of the great works of Russian literature. A new series of twenty distinctive, unforgettable Penguin Classics in a beautiful new design and pocket-sized format, with coloured jackets echoing Penguin's original covers.

Inspired by real events and centring on the figure of Pelageya Vlasova – the mother of the title – and her son Pavel, Gorky’s masterpiece describes the brutal life of ordinary Russian factory workers in the years leading to the 1905 Revolution and explores the rise of the proletariat, the role of women in society and the lower classes’ struggle for self-affirmation. A book of the utmost importance, in the words of Lenin, and a landmark in Russian literature, The Mother – here presented in a brilliant new version by Hugh Aplin, the first English translation in almost a century – will enchant modern readers both for its historical significance and its intrinsic value as a work of art.

Maxim Gorky, a prominent Russian writer and political activist, is known for his impactful literary contributions and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times. His diverse experiences from traveling across the Russian Empire and holding various jobs significantly shaped his storytelling and themes. Gorky's life and work reflect a deep understanding of the struggles and resilience of the human spirit, making him a key figure in Russian literature.

Maxim Gorky, a prominent Russian writer and political activist, is celebrated for his impactful literature and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times. His diverse experiences traveling across the Russian Empire and holding various jobs significantly shaped his writing style and themes. Gorky's work often reflects the struggles and resilience of the human spirit, drawing from the rich tapestry of his life experiences.

Gorky first met Lenin at a Party Congress in London in 1907. They met again many times - during Lenin's exile in Europe and after the successful revolution of November, 1917. With the perspicacity of "a literary man, obliged to take notes of little details," Gorky gives a profoundly intimate picture of Lenin, a picture of which the developing revolution is an integral part, for it is impossible to separate the man from his role in history, so closely are they linked. In clear outline, Lenin the Bolshevik, the builder of his Party, the organizer and the leader of the revolution, arises from these pages. And it is all the more real, seen through the eyes of Gorky, for he tells of Lenin in his moments of rest and leisure as well as in moments of heated political debate; shows him at rest in Capri, playing chess and talking to the fishermen; looking after the health and comforts of his comrades; debating about the role of the intellectuals in the revolution; talking with workers about all the details of their lives.