In Evil Days

They say, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." As if things are always better somewhere else. Does that mean where we are isn't good enough? Maybe that's true. Or maybe not. Is there any place in the world that's undoubtedly good? The three stories in this book answer these questions. Readers will discover kindness, sensuality, cruelty, and other remarkable character traits in the heroes of these novels. The readers will perceive humor and irony behind the seemingly serious tone of the narration.

Life in Paradise. Two old men, both the God-fearing righteous from the same town, enter Paradise. On Earth they were ideological opponents, but life in Paradise reconciled them and they became friends. They meet a young woman, and this fact excites them very much. Angels are active characters in the story. One of the righteous men discusses with an angel problems of philosophical depth. His friend is overly fond of the maiden. Jewish folk legends are used in the narrative.

From Paradise to Mars. Intending to reward the four inhabitants of Paradise for their righteousness, the angel Michael offers them resettlement on Mars, where people like those on Earth live. The righteous accept the offer. While correcting the errors of His Creation on Earth, God created life on Mars differently. The settlers from Paradise successfully adapt, bravely enter into a new life, and converge with the Martians. Mixed marriages are concluded and other exciting events take place. Unfortunately, it turns out that God's experiment on Mars was unsuccessful. The story ends tragically.

The reader will learn the fundamental difference between the morality of Mars and that of Earth. The interpretation of the acts of legendary persons is unconventional and differs from that accepted in historical and religious literature. This will attract the attention of history fans.

It Happened in Ukraine. This narration is about love and war. Ukraine, 17th century. A young boy, a Jew, fell in love with a Cossack girl, and she responded to him with hot feelings. Their passion was not destined for a happy continuation. The dreadful war separated and ruined the young lovers. The commander of the Ukrainian Cossacks planned to punish Poles and Jews. In the fire of mutual intolerance hundreds of thousands of people died, cities and towns were burned, destinies were destroyed. Cruelty and meanness inspired some of the main characters of this terrible story. The tragic end of the narrative leaves no illusions and does not inspire hope.