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Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is an outstanding Russian writer. His works breathe simplicity and clarity, but at the same time they are very deep. The writer knew how to portray people, showed that there are no only good or only bad. In his works one can feel a wonderful delight before life, falling in love with a healthy and strong person.
His admiration for his native nature can be called not just love, but passionate ecstasy. He cannot imagine life without pictures of nature.
A. Belov called him a great artist, a talented master of the literary language. Until now, we read and re-read the most famous works of Kuprin, enjoy their depth, realism and truthfulness. They forever entered the golden fund of Russian literature.
10 Blue Star
The tale, first published in 1927 under the title “Ugly Princess“. In terms of content, it is a bit similar to the “Ugly Duckling” by H.H. Andersen.
In the mountain valley lies the country of Ernoterra. An ugly daughter was born to its ruler. Nobody wanted to marry her. But the girl, although she was not outwardly attractive, grew up very kind. And spiritual beauty is much more important than external. It was she who helped her find her love.
«Blue Star“- a very kind and instructive tale, it seems to tell us that beauty is an ambiguous concept, and it is not always tangible by sight, sometimes we feel it with our soul.
9. Lilac bush
Short story written and published in 1894. It has an interesting plot.
The protagonist of the storyLilac bush”- Nikolai Evgrafovich Almazov, an officer attending classes at the Academy of the General Staff. He had to draw and pass a plan of the area, but he was rejected by the professor taking the exam.
While working, Almazov accidentally stained the plan and, in order to paint over the stain, painted bushes there. The professor immediately noted that there had never been any bushes in this place. Nikolai began to argue with him, and the teacher promised to check it himself, which threatened Almazov with expulsion.
Nikolai Evgrafovich did not know what to do. But his wife Vera came up with an excellent plan. Which one, you will find out by reading the story. It is light, interesting, it has a lot of funny and touching moments.
8. Peregrine Falcon
The story was written in 1916, the first manuscript was called “Thoughts of Peregrine Falcon XXXII. About people, animals, objects and events“. Later, Kuprin revised it in 1917, and in 1921 it was again changed and published in one of the children’s magazines, it was already called simply “Peregrine Falcon».
The main character is a large dog named Peregrine Falcon. He talks about his life.
Critics wrote that this story is touching and subtle. One of the literary critics believes that Sapsan’s thoughts are the arguments of Alexander Ivanovich himself, who could not stand evil and ungrateful people, he opposed inhumanity and cruelty. These are precisely his thoughts, a kind person who does not tolerate falsehood and insincerity.
7. Emperor’s shadow
Anecdotal story. The situation described in it actually happened. It was in 1912, when the centenary of the Patriotic War of 1812 was celebrated.
We decided to collect the veterans who participated in the battle, and, of course, they did not find anyone. But the order was given “from above”, and it had to be carried out. Then an old man was brought to the general, who allegedly saw Napoleon. He told how, in his opinion, the emperor might look, but this portrait did not even remotely resemble the original.
«Emperor’s shadow”- one of those rare historical stories with subtle humor that Kuprin almost never wrote, but, apparently, he could cope with this genre. The writer revived traditions, it was in his manner that this excellent thing was written.
6. In the dark
The story was first published in 1893, but in 1912 Kuprin shortened it and slightly changed it. This is an amazing work in which all events develop rapidly.
«In the dark“- a story about love, about how an honest loving heart, out of inexperience, can come up with the image of an ideal lover. A woman is ready for a lot for the sake of her feelings, but are these sacrifices necessary? Unfortunately, too often the light perishes in people, and the dark crawls out.
A very talented work, causing a storm of emotions and tears.
5. Gambrinus
A soulful, humane work that tells us that, despite the abundance of cruelty and pain, art and talent, as well as sensitivity, love for people will save the world.
Everything happens in one of the pubs called “Gambrinus“. The Jewish violinist Sashka became a real star in it. Bandits, sailors, resellers gather in such establishments, it is they who are entertained by this harmless musician. But he was able to touch their soul, gave them happiness and joy.
4. Pit
This is a story about prostitution. In a certain southern city, in the Yamskaya settlement, which was popularly called “Pit“. There are several brothels there.
The author tells about the institution of Anna Shoibes, about the life of local prostitutes, about how they tried to save one of the girls, Lyubka, but she chose to stay in a brothel.
Many critics did not appreciate the story. But K.I. Chukovsky wrote that this work is a slap in the face of the entire modern society. He talked about the need to restructure the whole life in such a way that there would be no room for such pits.
3. Olesya
One of the most favorite works of Kuprin, according to the author, written by him in 1898.
The main character is Ivan Timofeevich, who must spend 6 months in a remote village. He is bored, he does not know what to do with himself and has fun hunting. Soon he meets a young girl Olesya, whom everyone in the village considers a sorceress. Ivan falls in love with a girl, but can two completely different people be together?
«Olesya» is incredibly easy to read, because written in beautiful Russian, but in every line there is sadness for unfulfilled love. This is a powerful, bright, emotional work that can evoke strong feelings.
2. Duel
The story was published in 1905. She talks about the conflict between a young lieutenant Romashov and a senior officer. The main character Romashov is a sentimental person, a dreamer who would like to live a decent life and wait for true love.
The book shows that you should not hide from reality in your illusory world, and dissolving in love can destroy a person.
«Duel“- a difficult book in psychological terms, but a very deep and worthy work, considered the most significant in the work of Kuprin.
1. Garnet bracelet
The story of Alexander Ivanovich was written in 1910. The described story is tragic, like many of Kuprin’s works.
Georgy Zheltkov accidentally saw Princess Vera and fell in love with her. In honor of the name day, I decided to give her a gold bracelet decorated with garnets.
The brother and husband of the princess returned the inappropriate gift to him and asked him to stop persecuting the princess. She herself admitted to him that she would be calmer if he were not there. And the unfortunate lover committed suicide because of his love for the princess.
«Garnet bracelet“- a very romantic, but sad story, written in a magnificent literary language, in which the theme of love is fully revealed. She will forever be remembered.