The Wife and Other Stories

In a poignant depiction of rural hardship, the narrative reveals the plight of peasants in Pestrovo who, after selling their possessions to seek a better life, return to find themselves destitute and suffering from famine and disease. The local doctor and his assistant grapple with their inability to provide adequate care amidst overwhelming need, as bureaucratic indifference exacerbates the crisis. Through this lens, themes of humanity, social responsibility, and the failures of authority emerge, highlighting the stark realities of rural life in a time of desperation.