Sanin: A Russian Provocation

When Vladimir Sanin returns to his sleepy provincial hometown after years of wandering, he brings with him a philosophy that will shatter the lives of everyone he meets. Unapologetically sensual, ruthlessly honest, and contemptuous of all social conventions, Sanin seduces, debates, and provokes—uncovering the hidden desires and hypocrisies of his sister Lida, the intellectual Yuri, the officer Zarudin, and the vulnerable young woman Sina. As his influence spreads, the town spirals toward tragedy: a duel, a suicide, and a final, devastating departure. This modern retelling preserves the raw energy and philosophical daring of Artsybashev's original, rendering its provocative story in vivid, natural English for today's readers. Part of Timeless Classics.