The River of Life, and Other Stories

"The River of Life, and Other Stories" by A. I. (Aleksandr Ivanovich) Kuprin is a compilation of short stories that paints a picture of early 20th-century life through tales of down-on-their-luck individuals. The first story drops us into the dilapidated ‘Serbia’ hotel, managed by Anna Friedrichovna, who struggles to keep her family and a troubled lieutenant afloat amidst the chaos of daily life. We explore themes of survival and human struggle as Anna's narrative introduces the lives of people on the edge, filled with a blend of compassion, conflict, and economic hardship. Tensions climb as the story reveals intricate connections against a backdrop of a war-torn society, inviting readers to contemplate the resilience needed on the fringes of society.