Creatures That Once Were Men: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Creatures That Once Were Men: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Creatures That Once Were Men is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Gorky, Maksim (1868–1936). The listed translation credits are Shirazi, J. K. M..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Creatures That Once Were Men" by Maksim Gorky is a work of fiction written during the late 19th century. The book offers a poignant exploration of the lives of the downtrodden in society, focusing on themes of poverty, desperation, and the remnants of humanity within those who have suffered great loss. The narrative centers around Aristid Kuvalda, a captain who runs a dosshouse inhabited by various destitute characters, each with their own backstories that reflect the struggles of the lower class. At the start of the story, the setting is vividly described, showcasing a dismal street filled with decaying huts and a dilapidated dosshouse run by Kuvalda. The opening introduces the captain and his unique personality—boisterous and somewhat cynical, yet possessing a certain camaraderie with his lodgers. As he interacts with the "creatures that once were men," their stories unfold, revealing their pasts filled with work, loss, and a desperate search for solace amidst their harsh realities. The atmosphere is heavy, reflecting the bleakness of their existence, yet threaded with moments of humor and philosophical musings about life, survival, and dignity despite their tragic circumstances. This opening sets the stage for a powerful examination of human resilience and social critique that is likely to resonate with readers interested in profound character studies and societal reflections.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Creatures That Once Were Men
- Author credits: Gorky, Maksim (1868–1936)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Shirazi, J. K. M.
Catalogue subjects
- Fiction
- Short stories, Russian -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Russian Literature
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
