First published 2006
In 19th-century St. Petersburg, Makar and Varvara struggle to survive on meager wages. Makar toils as a government clerk, while Varvara cares for her elderly mother. Their modest existence is upended when Varvara's mother falls gravely ill. Facing mounting medical costs, the friends scramble to find solutions, their bond tested by the strain. As Varvara's mother slips away, Makar and Varvara confront the realities of poverty, the limits of their resources, and the fragility of their lives. Through it all, their friendship remains a lifeline, a source of solace in a world that offers little mercy.
Genres: drama, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, adult-fiction, poverty, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Period: 19th-century
72 pages · Paperback