Maksim Gorkij 
Creatures That Once Were Men 

"Creatures that Once Were Men" is a short story by Maxim Gorky about the residents of a lodging house who start a conflict with their landlord, resulting in a rather inhumane outcome. Gorky is arguably one of the most celebrated literary characters of the 20th century. Painting a vivid image of the dark, grueling and cruel peasant life of 20th century Russia, "Creatures that One Were Men" is a daunting and comical commentary on social injustice that has touched people across the world. —