Three Men: A Novel

"Three Men: A Novel" by Maksim Gorky is a tale set in the Russian countryside, that follows the journeys of three men connected by family, and their struggles with life's big questions. It starts with Antipa Lunev, once a regular peasant, now a lonely hermit seeking peace through religion because of his past. After his death, the story focuses on his two very different sons: Jakov, who is rebellious and doesn't fit in, and Terenti, who is quiet and deformed. The contrast between the brothers drives the story, exploring their differing ways of coping with their father’s choices, the tough realities of their world, and the constant push and pull between what they want and what they owe to their family. The book is a deep look at faith, doing what's right, and the strength it takes to keep going when things are hard.