In the World

Name: In the World
Author: Maksim Gorky

A young narrator describes entering urban life as a shop assistant and enduring strict, petty supervision from his employer and colleagues. He witnesses and suffers the cruel hierarchies among local youths and is compelled into a frightening dare in a cemetery that reveals his fear and stubbornness. Rich, sensory detail and unflinching character sketches convey a world of scarcity, roughness, and small humiliations. The episodic, first-person account mixes immediate incidents with reflective observation to examine poverty, social cruelty, and the uneasy lessons of early adulthood.

By Maksim Gorky

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Novels Russian Literature

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About the Author

Maksim Gorky

Maksim Gorky was a prominent Russian writer and political activist, known for his contributions to socialist literature and his portrayal of the struggles of the working class. Born in 1868, Gorky emerged as a significant literary figure in the early 20th century, with works that often reflected his own experiences of poverty and hardship. His notable works include 'Mother,' a powerful novel that explores themes of revolution and familial bonds, and 'The Lower Depths,' a drama that delves into the lives of the downtrodden. Gorky's writings not only shaped Russian literature but also influenced social thought during a time of great upheaval.