TAMIL
Russian novel
SE. GANESALINGAN
VAAZHVIN ALAIGAL: by Maxim Gorky, Translated by N. Krishnasamy into Tamil, New Century Book House Pvt. Ltd, 41B SIDCO Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai-600098.
Rs. 200.
THIS IS a translation of the English version of the renowned Russian novelist’s work, Foma Gordeyev. Iqnet, owner of a boat plying on the Volga river, wants a son to inherit his wealth and he is blessed with Foma through his second wife.
The novel is a straight run on the life of Foma, who, after the death of his father, gains some control over his godfather Mayakin, whose daughter he wants to marry for self-interest. But she has her own idea of love and marriage.
Foma takes over his father’s boat business, makes money, but spends it on drinks and women, whom he picks up one after another.
After losing all his wealth, he starts accusing his rivals in the business of amassing wealth illegally and even of committing murder, and in the process gets even some of them sent to prison. They hit back and assault him. Foma’s godfather comes to his rescue. His motto: ‘Man who fears sin is a coward, and you should get over your sin by action.’
This novel bears no comparison with Gorky’s Mother, which gave him fame as one of the world’s leading novelists. However, this does give an idea of his early Russian writings.
There are occasions when Foma takes on a real-life character in society.The book reads just like a Tamil novel and the credit goes to the translator.
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