Stone Soul

A radiant pearl of Ukrainian literature, written by Hnat Khotkevych at the beginning of the 20th century. The novel immerses the reader in the atmosphere of Hutsul life, conveying its wild beauty, cruelty, and passionate desires.
At the heart of the story is a love triangle between a young priest's wife, an Opryshky leader, and the priest himself. Khotkevych masterfully intertwines the intimate experiences of the characters with a broad social background, depicting the life of a Hutsul village with its customs, beliefs, and struggle for survival. The novel is permeated with a sense of all-consuming passion that leads the characters to tragic consequences. Death becomes an integral part of life, emphasizing its fragility and mercilessness. With great love, Khotkevych describes the Carpathian nature, the customs and life of the Hutsuls. He conveys the spirit of this unique people, their freedom-loving and warlike nature. The work raises questions of faith, sin, and punishment. The conflict between religious dogma and human feelings becomes one of the central motifs of the novel.