The Oath and other short stories

<p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Introduction</strong></p><p>Short stories are a unique genre where the concentration of time and events creates a condensed intensity offering endless opportunities for exploration.</p><p></p><p>The four short tales collected here under one cover are all thematically different from one another. The only thread connecting them is a shared geography: each takes place in Russia during various periods of the 20th century.</p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The English translations are followed by the original texts in Russian.</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Oath</strong><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span>the story that gives its name to this collection recounts a dramatic event that unfolds during the protagonist's mandatory military service in the northern reaches of Russia.</p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Red Triangle</strong><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span>is a triptych of three short historical vignettes focusing on Lenin Trotsky and Stalin-key figures of the Soviet Bolshevik Revolution and its aftermath. These individuals played monumental roles in shaping the country's history and their importance cannot be overstated.</p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Evil Sorceress</strong><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span>tells the tale of an aging former stage actress whose mundane daily life is suddenly disrupted bringing forth vivid memories of her long-forgotten childhood in the wake of unexpected events.</p><p></p><p>Finally <strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Idealist</strong><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span>reflects the tragic experiences of a generation captivated by the bright promises of Bolshevik socialism only to be shattered by the oppressive force of Stalin's tyrannical rule. His reign of terror forever altering the lives of several generations of Russians.</p>