In the Russian countryside, life and death are never far apart.It is a beautiful spring morning on a country estate in 19th-century Russia. The young landowner Vinogràdov and his pregnant wife Klàvdia Nikolàevna are hosting a group of friends for a weekend of hunting. The guests include two brothers—a gentle, thoughtful professor and his handsome, carefree student brother—and a writer who finds inspiration in everything he sees.
As the men venture into the fields with their rifles and dogs, the hunt becomes a visceral, bloody spectacle. Birds fall from the sky, and the grass is stained red. But back at the house, a different kind of life is unfolding: servants slaughter a lamb for dinner, kittens are drowned, and the pregnant mistress of the house reflects on the mysterious new life growing inside her.
Mikhail Artsybashev, one of the most powerful voices of Russian naturalism, weaves a story that contrasts the beauty of nature with the casual brutality of life. Through vivid, unflinching prose, he explores the thin line between humanity and animality, between life celebrated and life taken.
Why read The Hunting Season?- A Russian Classic Rediscovered: Mikhail Artsybashev (1878–1927) was a major figure of Russian realism, famous for his bold, unflinching stories that shocked and captivated readers.
- Atmospheric and Visceral: The story immerses you in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Russian countryside, from the lush spring fields to the bloody aftermath of the hunt.
- Philosophical Depth: Beyond the hunting adventure, the story raises profound questions about human nature, violence, and the relationship between man and the natural world.
- A Masterpiece of Short Fiction: In just a few chapters, Artsybashev creates a complete world, with characters that feel alive and a story that lingers long after the final page.
- Beautiful New Translation: This edition features a fresh translation by Erika Terragni, edited by Bruno Osimo, bringing Artsybashev's work to life for a new generation of English-speaking readers.
"In every person there's a beast lurking."Perfect for fans of: Anton Chekhov, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, classic Russian literature, literary short stories, and historical fiction.
Get your copy today and discover a forgotten gem of Russian literature.? Keywords: Getting Found
Recommended Categories for KDP and Streetlib:- FICTION / Classics
- FICTION / Short Stories (single author)
- FICTION / Literary
- FICTION / Historical / General
BISAC Codes (for Streetlib):- FIC004000 (FICTION / Classics)
- FIC019000 (FICTION / Literary)
- FIC029000 (FICTION / Short Stories)
- FIC014000 (FICTION / Historical / General)
Keyword List (mix and match in the 7 fields on KDP):FieldKeyword (max 50 characters)1Russian classic short story
2Mikhail Artsybashev fiction
3hunting story Russian
419th century Russia novel
5Russian naturalism literature
6literary fiction short story
7classic Russian literature
?️ Optional: Editorial Reviews
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"A powerful and unsettling portrait of man's relationship with nature and violence. Artsybashev writes with a precision that is both beautiful and brutal."— Bruno Osimo, Editor
"The Hunting Season is a masterclass in atmospheric tension. The contrast between the serene countryside and the visceral violence of the hunt is haunting."—
Literary Review? Short Description (Blurb for Back Cover)
For the back cover or a short blurb on KDP:
In the Russian countryside, life and death are never far apart.A group of friends gathers for a weekend hunting trip on a country estate. As the men pursue their prey through the lush spring fields, a different kind of drama unfolds back at the house. Written with unflinching realism,
The Hunting Season is a haunting exploration of human nature, violence, and the thin line that separates man from beast.
A masterpiece of Russian short fiction—rediscovered.Guests arrived at the young landowners, the Vinogràdovs, who had only married last winter and had been living in the village all winter: two brothers, the Borìsovs, and the writer Gvózdev. The elder Borìsov was very slender, nearsighted, and a very kind person in his thirties. The hair on his head and in his beard was very light and thin. He was called Nikolài Andréevich. He was an associate professor at the university.
His brother, a student, was simply called Sergéi, and everyone loved him for his healthy, handsome appearance, cheerful and steady character, wit, and appealing beliefs.
Alexéi Petróvich Gvózdev was a fiction writer whose works were highly regarded by the segment of the audience that primarily demands from a writer a pleasant, sincere, and kind-hearted idea. He dressed in a Russian style and had his hair cut in a circle.
