"Infancia" (previously known as "Días de infancia") is the first volume of a memoir trilogy written by Máksim (Máximo) Gorki. As we know, the great Russian writer's real name was Alekséi Peshkov ("Máksim" was adopted in honor of his deceased father when the author was very young). Therefore, we should not confuse the child Alekséi - the protagonist of this novel - with an alter ego or a simple fictional character. It is the raw autobiographical exercise of a writer who reveals his childhood soul and forgets the restraint that would allow him to hide his enormous emotional deficiencies and the terrible flaws of his family members.

Alekséi's life changes radically when he is taken care of by his grandparents and has to move to a strange city. In this way, he faces the difficulties of orphanhood and experiences the domestic cruelty prevalent in the rural society of that time. As a result, the protagonist learns (the hard way) to depend on himself to survive. This book narrates the events that occurred between the father's funeral and the expulsion from his second home. As the reader can imagine, the present is a rather harsh testimony about the end of childhood (or the death of innocence, if preferred).

I have evaluated North American novels with a very similar theme, such as "The Road of the Loser" by Charles Bukowski or "Wait Until Spring, Bandini" by John Fante (whose search for literary antecedents necessarily leads us to "Infancia"). And, to be fair, Máksim Gorki's world can be dirtier than Bukowski's because it belongs to a more ignorant and obscurantist rural environment, alien to any modernity of thought. What irony; I have discovered in Gorki one of the great influences on modern North American literature.

The beginning of the book is very powerful. There, the difficult days that followed the child's relocation are recalled, being poorly accepted by relatives he vaguely knew, and suffering the consequences of an absent and depressed mother. The new household rules are jealously watched under the latent threat of the whip, in order to avoid any mischief that could lead him astray from the "right path". The reader will encounter the raw experiences of someone who has been deprived of his security from the beginning. But he will also observe the folklore, customs, and chaos of the forgotten and disoriented Russian people; always facing the adversities of the climate and poverty.

The style is extremely simple and direct, full of plain sincerity in the first person and with a great abundance of dialogues. We will rarely find overly elaborate descriptions and deep psychological examinations. In fact, it is not necessary to describe the psychology of the characters when the narrator is a child and when the meanness that exists in them is obvious.

Let's take the character of the grandfather as an example: a selfish, stingy, and violent man who does not provide the paternal model that Alekséi considers worthy of being imitated. For this reason, the child clings to the idealized memory of his deceased father, and such memories are nourished by the character of the grandmother; a much more sensitive and kind being (but at the same time so superstitious and servile that she inevitably succumbs under patriarchal domination).

It is precisely the grandmother who, at times, positions herself as a second narrator, telling (in her own way) everything that Alekséi did not see. In such a way that the readers will not know if what she affirms is the truth, or if, on the contrary, she distorts and embellishes the facts in order to make her grandson happy. These supposed inconsistencies in the narration make us see the characters in a more human way and place us in a context of pure realism; the Russian realism so celebrated by critics.

The only "strange" element for the reader is that we will often come across poems, songs, and extracts from literary works written in verse; characteristics that give the book the feeling of being older than it really is, reinforcing the impact of an orthodox and conservative environment. The key chapter is the one in which the marked differences in the religious practice of the grandparents (particularly their personal vision of the Creator) are described: the grandfather's God is distrustful and vengeful; while the grandmother's God is understanding and merciful. Facing this dilemma, the child concludes that they are two different gods. It should be said that this comparison is approached from a child's perspective and without adopting a combative position. However, it embodies a very severe criticism in itself.

The author insists on a point that Charles Dickens was very clear about; children are excluded from family discussions because they are considered emotionally weak or intellectually inferior beings. In front of them, adults avoid uncomfortable topics. Therefore, the motivations that cause conflicts remain in mystery, and the consequences can be much worse than the knowledge of the truth. Another element of Dickens present in this novel is the monstrous description of abject characters; a child is unable to perceive ugliness unless adults make it evident through their actions.

To create good literature, it is not enough to write a raw and dramatic story; our novel must be endowed with artistic, spiritual, or intellectual substance. In this case, Gorki achieves it thanks to his frankness and his compassionate sensitivity (the appearance of endearing characters like that of the mysterious alchemist who shows the child that one can go beyond the mediocrity of the common man helps a lot).

These fictionalized memoirs have left me surprised and satisfied. I still cannot find a single trace of that supposed political element that so many readers fear in Máksim Gorki; in the two books I have read, I have not found a hint of ideology. To know the real Gorki (and eliminate prejudices against him), we will have to undertake a rather simple mission; read some of his books.

Gorky was born into poverty and lost his father at a very young age. He was then thrust into a life with his grandparents, uncles, and cousins, where violence loomed on the fringes of their daily existence. He became a sensitive child, reacting whenever a verbal argument broke out between his mother and grandmother or when his cousin was flogged. The pain he endured had a profound impact on his world view, and through the pages of his work, Gorky vividly shows how he changed as a child.

Written in a brilliant, matter-of-fact tone, he provides a wonderful exposition on his evolving world view. He states, "Life is always surprising us - not by its rich, seething layer of bestial refuse - but by the bright, healthy and creative human powers of goodness that are forever forcing their way up through it. It is those powers that awaken our indestructible hope that a brighter, better and more humane life will once again be reborn."

This book offers a wealth of insights into Russian families, poverty, and the lives of ordinary people. Some emerge from it bitter, which is ironically what Gorky intended, while others use this bitterness to address the dysfunctions of society. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to endure and transform in the face of adversity.

One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read is this one. The work is truly remarkable as it is so raw, sincere, and simple in all aspects. Every page seems to breathe with authenticity, captivating the reader from the very beginning. I don't have an abundance of words to express my thoughts, for I'd rather just sit here and soak in the essence of it all. It's like a gentle breeze that caresses your soul, leaving you with a sense of peace and wonder.

Thank you, Gorky, for creating this masterpiece. Your ability to bring to life the emotions and experiences of the characters is truly awe-inspiring. This book is not just a story, but a journey that takes you to a different world, a world filled with love, pain, and hope. It makes you reflect on your own life and the people around you.

I will cherish this book and the feelings it has evoked in me. It will remain a part of my literary collection, a reminder of the power of words and the beauty that can be found within the pages of a book.

“About life as it is.” Gorky wrote it very well. Since school, I have already forgotten how well. Life is a complex and multi-faceted concept. It is filled with joys and sorrows, successes and failures. Sometimes we experience moments of great happiness, while at other times we face difficulties and challenges. Gorky's words seem to capture the essence of life. He shows us that life is not always easy, but it is still worth living. We should embrace both the good and the bad, and learn from our experiences. By doing so, we can grow and become better people.

This review is for the entire trilogy 'My Childhood', 'My Apprenticeship', and 'My Universities'

When considering Russian classical literature, the names of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy inevitably come to mind. Often, someone would mention Chekhov in the same vein, some would correctly point out that Pushkin deserves his place on the pedestal, and others would assert that Turgenev should be placed alongside his two most renowned contemporaries.

Ever since I read 'My Childhood' by Maxim Gorky, the first part of his autobiographical trilogy, the trio of Russian giants was firmly established for me: Dostoevsky, Gorky, Tolstoy - in that order.

The opening sentence of this book sets the tone:

"Father lay on the floor, by the window of a small, darkened room, dressed in white, and looking terribly long. His feet were bare and his toes were strangely splayed out. His gentle fingers, now peacefully resting on his chest, were also distorted, and the black discs of copper coins firmly sealed his once shining eyes. His kind face had darkened and its nastily bared teeth frightened me."

I did not misstate - this is one sentence in Russian, appropriately broken up by Ronald Wilks in his English translation (which is supposed to be quite good).

Already after reading this, you realize that you are in for something extraordinary. The book never relents, it holds you firmly in its grip, and you are bound to remember some passages long after the book is closed and put away.

The author's pen name - Gorky - translates from Russian as 'bitter', and you will taste this bitterness when reading this trilogy. Deaths are scattered throughout the pages, noted and recounted in the matter-of-fact voice of a child as regular, ordinary events. But it is not all doom and gloom; the darkness is followed by light, and some of the most memorable passages are filled with tenderness and joy.

“For sadness and gladness live within us side by side, almost inseparable; the one succeeding the other with an elusive, inappreciable swiftness.”

“In recalling my childhood I like to picture myself as a beehive to which various simple obscure people brought the honey of their knowledge and thoughts on life, generously enriching my character with their own experience. Often this honey was dirty and bitter, but every scrap of knowledge was honey all the same.”

It is these "simple obscure people" that light up the pages of the book. Uneducated, uncouth, rough, and often violent, these people from late 19th-century Russia come alive in the short but precise descriptions of the writer at the height of his powers. It is rare to find character sketches so economically executed and yet so complete.

The two main characters are, of course, the grandmother and grandfather of the little Alexei, seemingly representing two opposing forces shaping his life, leaving the traces of warmth and the scars of anger behind. At the age of fourteen, Alexei has to leave his grandparents' home to earn a living.

The second book, translated as 'My Apprenticeship' or 'In the World', picks up where the voice of a child left off, with the voice of a teenager, hardened beyond his years. Dissatisfied with what he sees around him, Alexei aims to break free from this monotonous existence and finds his release in books, in words. He views education as the only way out.

The third book, 'My Universities', probably the weakest of the three, was written seven years after the first two. Alexei meets with students, idealists with a revolutionary agenda. However, he is disillusioned; having lived through the hardships of his young years, he no longer believes in the inherent goodness of people. There is less hope and more bitterness in this book, perhaps reflecting the writer's state of mind while in exile. The book ends with Alexei setting off on an aimless journey on foot across Russia that would last for five years.

Gorky was initially extremely critical of the Soviets and personally of Lenin. He eventually returned from his exile in Italy to Soviet Russia and seemingly accepted the ideology of the regime. He was most likely killed by Stalin's thugs.

If you're in search of a captivating plot, then this book might not be for you.

That being said, this work beautifully celebrates the magnificence of nature while indifferently laying bare the often senseless cruelty of humans. Gorky, a renowned Russian writer, pens an autobiographical account of his childhood spent with his Grandfather, Grandmother, and Mother. His mother is largely absent throughout his childhood, both physically and emotionally. His Grandfather is a pragmatic man, stubborn and prone to violent abuse.

Grandmother, however, is one of the two aspects that make this book valuable to me. She is the archetypal "wise old woman" in literature: accepting, loving, respected, and, of course, wise. She prays to her own mystical God, and this is what infuses the story with a praise of nature. Grandmother's God is a sort of pagan deity; he resides in the branches of the trees as they sway in the wind, or in the blooming of a flower, or in the kindness of young Gorky himself. Gorky's writing on this subject naturally leads the reader to a fuller appreciation of these elements, even if one may not (as I didn't) perceive them as "filled with God" but simply as beautiful.

Another aspect of this novel that I relished was Gorky's message. Despite the fact that Russia's lower classes may be rife with violence and senseless, harmful behavior, they possess infinite promise and a wellspring of goodness within their hearts. Russian culture has given birth to a generation of dynamic individuals who are on the cusp of great change. Although he doesn't state this explicitly, it became evident to me as I read his autobiography.

I didn't rate this book higher because it bored me to tears. It seemed to lack direction. Gorky bounces back and forth between his Grandfather's place and his Mother's; they move from one boarding house to another; he gets into trouble in one school and a few pages later he's part of a childish street gang, only to be the top student a mere seven pages later. I found it all difficult and somewhat pointless to follow because, quite frankly, the plot never reached any sort of conclusion for me. (Strange, too: it's been three books in a row that I haven't fallen in love with. Unusual!)

Overall, though, it's a good read and offers great insight into Gorky himself if you're a fan of his other works.

My Childhood by Maxim Gorky is the opening work of a trilogy that delves into his despondent and turbulent life.

It offers more than just a recount of his troublesome childhood; it provides a profound insight into the Russian spirit. Gorky's raw and unfiltered writing style pulls readers into the psyche of a young fatherless boy, Alexei, as he tries to make sense of the harsh environment he is immersed in.

The story begins with the traumatic death of Gorky's father, leaving his mother in agony and young Alexei in the care of his grandparents. His formative years are spent with his two uncles and grandparents, who present various dualities. His grandmother is endearing and resilient, believing in a loving God, while his grandfather is cantankerous and abusive.

Beyond the brutality of his upbringing, readers are introduced to a host of transient characters who befriend Alexei and offer him advice before being torn from his life. Through these experiences, Alexei develops a somber and empathetic view of the world.

Throughout the story, Gorky depicts characters with an ambivalence, neither labeling them as good nor evil, but simply as they are. This allows readers to find sympathy for even the most dishonorable individuals and sheds light on humanity's fallibility.

The Russian spirit of staunch resilience, meddle, and optimism in the face of incessant torment is woven into the prose and themes of the work. By the end, Gorky chooses to view his childhood not for the darkness that shrouds it, but for the "bright and wholesome creative forces gleaming beneath."

Paced well and filled with striking accounts, My Childhood invites readers into a common childhood for Russian children in the late 19th century, while also speaking to universal truths about mankind. I can't wait to read the other two books in this trilogy.

The author has put the book into words in a simple language, and many of the experiences described are very painful. The life of a refugee of a fatherless and stepmotherless child and his continuous exposure to violence deeply affected me while reading. And I once again understood that the place of the family in a person's life is undoubtedly extremely important.

Seeing the Russia of those times and the way of life from the first mouth was a wonderful experience, and I want to read the other books of the series to get to know Gorki better.

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Gorki'nin otobiyografisinin ilk bölümü olan "Çocukluğum", çoğunluğu dedesinin evinde geçen dönemini anlatıyor. Bu kitap, çok güzel bir dil kullanarak yazılmış ve rus edebiyatının klasik bir örneğidir. Betimlemeler, yazım tarzi o kadar edebi ki okuyanları çok etkiler.

Kitap, Gorki'nin çocukluğundaki deneyimlerini, duygularını ve düşüncelerini detaylı olarak anlatıyor. Okuyucular, çocukluk dönemi olan Gorki'nin gözünden dünyayı görürler. Ayrıca, kitap, o dönemdeki toplumsal ve kültürel durumları da ortaya koyuyor.

"Çocukluğum", hem eğlenceli hem de öğretici bir kitaptır. Okuyucular, hem keyifli bir okuma deneyimi yaşarlar hem de yeni şeyler öğrenirler. Ben de bu kitabı çok beğendim ve tavsiye ederim.

When you look back, the first memories that come to your mind... your childhood... but imagine that your first memories were not in the early 2000s but in the early 1900s.

The period described by Gorky didn't seem so far away to me. Your grandfather and grandmother... The atmosphere was like this: sometimes breakfast by the stove in the morning, sometimes the crystal-clear starry sky on summer nights, sometimes poverty, sorrows that wounded the little hearts, sometimes indescribable joys... sometimes the cold rooms of the village house that made people's hearts tremble, sometimes the warm air of the cozy courtyard that brought people together... The effort of a newly growing individual to understand his surroundings and explain himself to his surroundings... Read it, and you will surely find something from your own childhood.

Innan Maksim Gorkij (1868 - 1936) blev en av Rysslands stora författare hette han Aleksej Maximovitj Pesjkov. Första delen i hans barndomstrilogi (1913) börjar oerhört dramatiskt.

The father and the family's newest addition pass away. The mother, in the child's eyes as strong and terrifying as a large horse, now cries and leaves Aleksej to his grandparents.

Gorkij means "the bitter" and it doesn't seem far-fetched considering Gorkij was early to write autobiographically about his wretched childhood. He is said to have inspired numerous worker-writers worldwide.

But despite this being perhaps one of the most violent upbringing descriptions I've read, it also contains a lot of humor. Kudos to the translator Ellen Wester who uses words like crab saltare, kalmuck, astrakhan spectacle, and slammer mill, all of which are grandfather's pet names for Aleksej. Wester has a great sense of timing when it comes to the dialogue, which becomes even more comical thanks to Josef Törners' reading.

To a large extent, the grandfather is the culprit for all the violence that occurs in My Childhood. He beats Aleksej and he beats his wife. The author describes the characters of his childhood with an adult's ability to see nuances and paradoxes, so no one is presented as either completely evil or good.

Except for the grandmother, who is a hero in disguise. She has a sense of justice like a saint and she drinks brandy and sniffs tobacco (in the nose). She is not erudite, so it is the grandfather who with great eagerness drills Aleksej through the alphabet. But it is his grandmother who shows him life through her stories.

I am touched by the images that Gorkij paints with his prose; a little boy eagerly listening to his grandmother's stories while wrapping her thick braids around his neck. "Little dove" she calls him and they sleep together in the wind. They become the best of friends and it is so nice.

It is interesting to read about Gorkij's childhood but I thought and hoped that I would get a picture of what Russia looked like outside of this family as well. But this is nothing more than a proletarian writer's genesis adorned with blue flowers. When Aleksej gets a little older, he starts fighting for entertainment himself, for which he is punished by his mother - with a beating.

If you're in a really bad mood as a parent, you can by reading this feel like a king for a day. Tip!

Gorky's talent lies in his ability to recall and recount his childhood through the eyes of his younger self. This includes his almost constant sense of fear.

He does not do this through the adult eyes, experiences, and hindsight of the older author. It is a difficult task even in the best of circumstances. However, it is even harder when the young life of Alexei Maximovich Gorky was so scarred by deprivation and abuse.

He was regularly thrashed by his grandfather, sometimes to the point of unconsciousness. As you read, you feel as if you are living his poverty-stricken life with him. It is a horrible experience, but it is also wonderful.

The young Gorky simply shrugs off his hardships and looks forward to his next adventure. In 19th century working-class Russia, this usually meant fighting, stealing, or the death of another loved one.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Gorky's spirit remains unbroken, and his ability to find beauty and wonder in the midst of chaos is truly remarkable.