788 Results in the "Literary Fiction" category


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      IN EXILE

      IN EXILE Cover
      by LovelyMay In the stark and unforgiving expanse of Siberia, by a riverbank and the flickering light of a campfire, Old Semyon, known as Canny, converses with a young Tatar, revealing the profound isolation and despair of exile. The narrative unfolds through their dialogue, contrasting experiences, and contemplations of life in a remote, desolate environment. Semyon, hardened by twenty-two years as a ferryman, claims contentment with his simple existence, devoid of desire or ambition, preaching a philosophy of…
    • THE CATTLE-DEALERS Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Cattle-Dealers," a chapter from "The Schoolmistress and Other Stories," we are introduced to the arduous journey of Gavril Malahin and his son Yakov (Yasha) as they transport eight vanloads of cattle by train to the city. The narrative opens with them waiting in a cold, cramped van alongside their livestock, emphasizing the discomfort and harsh conditions of their trip. Malahin Senior is depicted as a grizzled, experienced cattle dealer, accustomed to the vagaries and corruption endemic to the…
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      SORROW

      SORROW Cover
      by LovelyMay In the bleak mid-winter of the Galtchinskoy district, Grigory Petrov, renowned for his craftsmanship yet infamous for his folly, embarks on a harrowing journey with his ailing wife, Matryona, to seek medical help from the esteemed Pavel Ivanitch. Battling against a fierce snowstorm that obfuscates the path ahead, Grigory drives his frail horse through the relentless blizzard, motivated by a mixture of hope and desperation. As the cold wind howls and snow engulfs them, Grigory engages in a one-sided…
    • ON OFFICIAL DUTY Cover
      by LovelyMay "It has all been according to the regulation," he said, smiling naively as he looked at the examining magistrate with his watery eyes, evidently wishing to suggest by that smile that now everything was satisfactory, that everything had turned out well. He helped the examining magistrate into the sledge, tucked the covering round him, and said: "I hope you will be comfortable." The sledge moved off. Lyzhin looked round for the last time to say good-by to Loshadin, but the latter was no longer by the…
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      The Stuntman

      The Stuntman Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the artist G, who begins painting upside down as a radical response to his artistic and existential crisis. Initially, his inverted paintings appear accidental, but their deliberate nature is confirmed by his signature. This innovation earns critical acclaim, reinforcing G’s reputation despite his lingering resentment toward the art world, which had harshly criticized his early work. G’s wife observes that his inversion technique inadvertently mirrors the "female condition"—a…
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      The Midwife

      The Midwife Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter delves into the complex life of G, an artist whose early wild years in the city contrast sharply with her later conventional existence as a successful painter, wife, and mother. G’s studio in a gritty neighborhood symbolizes her rebellious past, where she lived in chaotic freedom, disconnected from her disapproving parents. Her art initially served as a raw, unfiltered expression of her inner turmoil, but as she gains recognition, her work evolves into more polished, somber pieces. This shift…
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      The Diver

      The Diver Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense domestic scene where the police arrive at G’s house, investigating photographs of her daughter that were flagged by a printer. G’s husband diffuses the situation with charm, convincing the officers it was a misunderstanding—he had merely complained about print quality. His performance shifts the officers from suspicion to acquiescence. However, once they leave, his facade collapses into violent rage. He shouts at G and their daughter, throws objects, and physically…
    • Part Two: The Darkest Part of the Night Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin I'm ready to proceed. Please upload the chapter you'd like me to…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 1 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 1 opens with the protagonist, Frank, receiving an unexpected call from an UNKNOWN CALLER, a type of call that usually signals a scam or a marketing pitch. Frank’s first reaction is to ignore it, as these types of calls are frequent and always seem to waste his time. However, for reasons he cannot fully explain, he decides to answer this one. To his surprise, it’s his daughter, Maggie, the voice he has missed and yearned to hear for years. The shock of hearing from her causes a surge of…
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      Chapter 2

      Chapter 2 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 2 opens with the protagonist, filled with a sense of anticipation, finally finding a way to reconnect with his daughter, Maggie, after a prolonged period of silence. He eagerly dials her number, only to be met with repeated busy signals, which indicate that she is trying to call him back. This moment of hope and frustration fills the protagonist with anxiety as he waits in Maggie’s childhood bedroom, a place that holds countless memories of their time together as a family. The room is filled with…
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