Vladimir Voinovich. Cap. Stories

In his collection of short stories, "The Hat," Voynovich portrays the lives of the older generation, who remember the once-popular dance floors in parks and cozy train station cafeterias. The main character, the writer of the story's title, strives to get his winter hat, but encounters an unexpected surprise: instead, he receives an ordinary cat. This struggle for the hat becomes a symbol of defending one's dignity and honor.

A master storyteller, Voynovich creates vivid and unique characters: the writer Rakhlin, the villagers of Popovka, the carpenter Nikolai Merzlikin, the prisoner Tatyana, the foreman Shilov, and others. It's unclear how much of these stories are fictional, but each character is filled with genuine feelings and real emotions, even if they involve envy or theft.