About the book: 1982 / The young Moscow prose writer Ilya Mitrofanov knows how to accurately and visibly convey life in words. This alone is evidence of his talent. The knowledge of life, the ability not only to observe and depict, but also to reflect on the sometimes very difficult tasks it poses for the hero entering an independent working life, also endears him. The young writer is a Southerner by birth. That is probably why his story contains the plasticity of words characteristic of southern prose, the originality of the characters’ conversation, and the tension of feelings. This flavor of southern Russian life is sometimes even excessive, but, really, it is difficult to blame the young prose writer for his love for his native land and its workers. Attention to the moral side of existence, an understanding of what evil is and how it interferes with the normal working life of Soviet people is another undoubted advantage of Ilya Mitrofanov’s prose. As we see, there are many advantages. All of them testify to the good creative inclinations of the young author. I hope that in the future they will become stronger and confirmed by the mature worldview of the artist... Petr PROSKURIN