The work of Vasily Shukshin (1929-1974) is an outstanding phenomenon in the art of the 1960s and 1970s. Shukshin's talent manifested itself in acting, directing, and screenwriting skills, but it was his literary works that brought him national fame. The writer's novels and short stories have been translated into more than twenty languages and are rightfully considered the heritage of twentieth-century Russian literature. This collection includes such famous short stories as "Critics", "The Hunt to Live", "Loony", "Miles sorry, madam!" and many others.