Summer of the Young Farmhand

Jānis Akuraters, a prominent figure in Latvian literature, unfortunately fell victim to unjust suppression during the Soviet era. His works were rarely translated into the languages of the USSR and were not included in anthologies of Latvian literature. Despite this, his novella «Summer of the Young Farmhand» considered one of his finest works, is still studied in Latvian schools today.
At the heart of the novella is the story of a young man named Jānis, who, after finishing school, aspires to earn money for his further education. For an entire field season, from early spring to late autumn, he works as a hired hand on a farm. This plot device allows the author not only to portray the arduous labor of the peasants but also to lovingly describe the picturesque Latvian countryside, depict the customs and beliefs of the locals, which are rooted in rich national mythology.
Akuraters's prose is distinguished by its extraordinary lyricism, which on some pages transforms into genuine poetry. This makes his works interesting even for the most discerning connoisseurs of literature.