Dover Thrift Editions In "The Lower Depths", his dramatic masterpiece of 1902, Gorky presented a grimly realistic view of a desperate circle of lost souls. The play unfolds in a derelict boarding house, where an impoverished cast of despairing characters argue, play cards, tell stories, and debate the merits of two opposite worldviews: a self-reliant existence, free of illusions, or a romanticized outlook that colors and softens the pain of daily life. Shrewd observations, lifelike characters, and compelling dialog make this landmark play a work of enduring vitality. In addition to its dramatic interest and literary merit, The Lower Depths offers a revealing look at the social atmosphere that led to the Russian Revolution of 1917. Издание на английском языке.