Anatoly Stepanovich Ivanov is one of the greatest Soviet writers, author of large-scale epic works "Shadows Disappear at Noon" and "Eternal Call", which have been adapted for screen and are still popular among readers. In the 1970s and 1980s, Anatoly Ivanov turned to the genre of novella, revealing new facets of his creative talent: his prose remains dynamic and is built on sharp dramatic situations, but at the same time, it enhances the lyrical element. This edition includes the novellas "Life on Sinful Earth", "Enmity", "Sadness of the Fields", and "The Tale of Unfulfilled Love". Each of them presents a serious exploration of human qualities that manifest in various circumstances — whether it be trust or pragmatism, the ability for self-sacrifice or the desire for revenge. Powerful characters, precision of psychological and everyday details, and an engaging plot — all this justly allows us to regard the novellas of Anatoly Ivanov as among the best examples of domestic prose of the 20th century.
