Deti Arbata. Kniga 2. Strakh [Fear]

'Fear' is the second part of Anatoly Rybakov's trilogy, 'Children of the Arbat,' called by the poet Semyon Lipkin 'a book of Shakespeare's power, which will be read through the centuries'. Rybakov, a keen observer of human passions and an attentive researcher of history, creates a frighteningly realistic picture of the 30s, when after the Kirov assassination a zealous cleansing of the country from 'enemies of the people' begins. The investigation now lasts no more than ten days, and the death sentence is immediately carried out. Denunciations, nightly arrests, torture, executions ... Despair, hopelessness, a feeling of imminent disaster - and an unexpectedly awakened love ... History and politics become fate - not only for the rulers, like Stalin, but also for the most ordinary people whose lives are far from the Kremlin. It is difficult to decide what is more important to save - your decency or just life. But, as M. Shvydkoi noted, 'Rybakov knew that the most difficult thing - knowing