Equilibrium

Volodymyr Vynnychenko's psychological novel «Equilibrium» deeply immerses the reader in the world of emigrants forced to leave their homeland and settle in Paris. Although the work initially faced criticism, which called the author "broken" and predicted his decline, today «Equilibrium» remains relevant, revealing a multi-layered picture of the characters' lives, their internal conflicts, and aspirations. Vynnychenko masterfully shows how personal tragedies and crises affect the human psyche, and how the pressure of social conditions complicates adaptation in a new, foreign environment. The writer views destiny as a multifaceted phenomenon, prompting reflection on eternal questions: the individual's place in society, and the meaning of home and identity.
At the heart of the narrative is the loneliness of each character. Shurka symbolizes the hopelessness and confusion that accompany him in a foreign land; he seeks an outlet in creativity and relationships. His antithesis is Khoma – a nihilist, a strong-willed man with firm prejudices. And Tanya is a revolutionary by calling. All of them are united by a common desire to fill the void and find "equilibrium" in something external: in a new activity or in another person, risking losing themselves in the process. The characters' internal experiences reflect their struggle with the external world, prompting the question: is it worth seeking meaning in external circumstances, rather than within oneself?