The Rose of Jericho: Selected Short Stories by Punin

Author: (Russia) Punin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The Rose of Jericho is a love story written by the author during World War II. It tells the story of an elderly soldier who, on a journey, coincidentally meets his lover from 30 years ago at an inn. Although the girl was heartlessly abandoned by him, she remains loyal to him and remains unmarried throughout her life, supporting herself by running a small inn and lending money. The novel reflects the author's yearning for beautiful and sincere love and his hatred for war. The novel is hailed as the "Encyclopedia of Love"; Misha's Love depicts the romantic yet tragic love story between Misha, a university student from the countryside, and Kacha, a student at the drama school. Kacha sleeps with the school principal to become a famous actress and treats Misha alternately warmly and coldly. Misha becomes disheartened and once has an affair with a maid whom he sees as Kacha's substitute. In the end, he commits suicide out of despair; The Man from San Francisco condemns the hypocrisy, cruelty, greed, and selfishness of the Western upper class through the events that occur during the journey of a wealthy man from San Francisco who takes his wife and daughter on a trip to Europe, India, and Egypt; The Rose of Jericho reflects the author's thoughts on ancient culture and the value of life.