Selected Short Stories of Maxim Gorky

Author: Zhang Jianhua (Editor-in-Chief) / Li Huifan et al
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-02
Features: This book selects eight works by Gorky, most of which are his early short stories. It is well-known that in Gorky's rich literary heritage, short stories are a treasure. Gorky began his literary career with short stories and achieved fame through their success. His short stories encompass both Romanticism and Realism. The Romantic works aim to praise freedom and light, embodying the author's lofty revolutionary ideals and fervent fighting spirit, such as Makar Chudra and Nastasya Filippovna. In Gorky's early works, apart from Romantic novels, there are also more Realist novels in quantity, with diverse themes and profound content, primarily depicting the lives of the working class. The fundamental characteristics of these Realist works are: mercilessly exposing the evils of the old system, criticizing exploiters, private owners, and the base souls of petty bourgeoisie, and expressing deep and sincere sympathy for the hardworking masses. The works included in this book, in addition to the aforementioned two Romantic novels and one prose piece, are almost all Realist novels.
The distinctive stylistic features of Gorky's early works (especially his Romantic novels) are vivid colors and overflowing emotions. In his own words, he wrote novels "with singing-like phrases." In terms of language use, Gorky demanded extreme rigor and strictness. He emphasized "conciseness and precision," requiring accurate and vivid expressions that could paint a vivid picture, succinctly depict the main characteristics of characters, and allow readers to instantly grasp the actions, gestures, and tones of the portrayed figures. Therefore, he often used symbolic and personified language, as well as philosophical expressions, preferring artistic techniques such as contrast and juxtaposition. Gorky's language is beautiful—not only in its rich vocabulary but also in its implicit depth and profound thought. The latent power of his language is intricately tied to the thematic essence of his works, achieving the optimal artistic effect.