Ivan Bunin 
The Village 
Rustic Chronicles of Russian Life

In ‘The Village’ by Ivan Bunin, readers are transported to the evocative landscapes of rural Russia, where the author weaves a poignant tapestry of human experience. The story unfolds within the rustic confines of a village, capturing the essence of its people, traditions, and the timeless ebb and flow of life. Main characters are two peasant brothers, one a brute drunk, the other a gentler, more sympathetic character, but it also follows stories of other residents who fulfill the portrait of the village. Bunin’s masterful storytelling invites readers to stroll through the cobblestone streets, meander through the fields, and sit by the hearths of the village dwellers. Each narrative is a window into the lives of the characters who call the village home, offering glimpses of their joys, sorrows, and the intricate web of relationships that bind them together. The author’s keen observation and lyrical prose breathe life into the vivid characters populating the village. From the wise elder dispensing timeless wisdom to the young lovers navigating the delicate dance of courtship, Bunin captures the nuances of human emotion with exquisite precision.

A propos de l’auteur

Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin (1870-1953) was the first Russian writer awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was noted for the strict artistry with which he carried on the classical Russian traditions in the writing of prose and poetry. The texture of his poems and stories, sometimes referred to as ‘Bunin brocade’, is considered to be one of the richest in the language. Bunin was a revered figure among white emigres, European critics, and many of his fellow writers, who viewed him as a true heir to the tradition of realism in Russian literature established by Tolstoy and Chekhov.