In The Shadow of Death - Softcover

Blaumanis, Rūdolfs

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1911475363 ISBN 13: 9781911475361

Publisher: Paper + Ink, 2018

Synopsis

Rūdolfs Blaumanis’s 1899 short story masterpiece, based on a contemporary newspaper account, tells of several fishermen lost at sea after the ice floe on which they work calves off and drifts away rapidly.

One by one, the thirteen men and a boy must deal with the creeping reality that they may not see the mainland ― or their loved ones ― again. There is fish to eat, and two horses if necessary, but the very surface of the floe is eroding steadily ... and the nights are cold and terrible.

Without ever moralising or over-elaborating, Blaumanis coolly and efficiently observes the state of each of the main characters in turn, whether natural leaders, optimists, craven opportunists, terrified, stoic, compassionate or alienated. In the shadow of encroaching death, each must come to some kind of reckoning.

About this title

About the Author

RŪDOLFS KĀRLIS LEONĪDS BLAUMANIS (1863–1908) one of Latvia’s greatest writers, is noted especially for his numerous short stories and plays, and for his command of literary realism. He began writing in his twenties. Energised by the social issues of the day, he honed a deep sympathy for the lives of ordinary Latvians. A newspaper editor as well as a celebrated author, he helped raise the standards of written Latvian and inspired a new generation of Latvian writers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Paper + Ink
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1911475363
• ISBN 13: 9781911475361
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64