Introduction

Sometimes, the books we don’t expect much from end up leaving a quiet, lasting impression. Years ago, I came across a lesser-known foreign novel, “Mother” by Maxim Gorky—a classic of Russian literature, but not something widely read where I live.

Though I didn’t fully grasp everything at the time, it offered a window into a very different world—a world that expanded my understanding of human struggle, resistance, and the value of awakening to new ideas.

🧊 A Glimpse Into a Harsh, Distant World

Mother is set in pre-revolutionary Russia, a place of cold streets, factories, and political awakening. For someone who grew up in a very different climate and culture, it felt foreign—but also fascinating.

At the heart of the story is Pavel, a young man who rises in consciousness and courage to fight against injustice. His mother, once quiet and fearful, also transforms—showing the power of belief and collective struggle.

Even though the setting was alien to me, the emotions, the sacrifice, and the desire for change felt very real.

✊ Why the Book Still Matters to Me

The book didn’t just entertain—it revealed how deeply people suffer under systems of oppression, and how bravery can come from the most unlikely people.

  • It made me appreciate workers’ struggles, regardless of country or time.

  • It showed me that literature can connect us to people far away, across language and history.

  • It reminded me that even the quietest individuals can carry the loudest truths.

Reading Mother was like visiting a place I had never imagined—and yet finding something human and familiar there.

📛 The Name That Stayed: Pavel

One small detail that stayed with me over the years was the name Pavel.

It felt powerful—simple, strong, and honest. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but later in life, when I came across Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, the name rang a bell.

It was an odd but memorable connection. Different Pavel, different story—but somehow that name still carried the spirit of boldness and challenge.

It’s little things like that—a name, a book, a line—that stay quietly in the background, connecting the dots across time and life.

🌍 The Joy of Discovery

Looking back, reading Mother wasn’t a life-changing explosion. It was something gentler—like discovering a bigger map of the world. One that showed how different people live, suffer, fight, and believe in something more.

It’s always amazing to learn new things, especially when they come from unexpected places. Even a simple book, forgotten at the bottom of a shelf, can carry stories that live far beyond the page.

🔚 Closing Thoughts

Mother by Maxim Gorky may not be popular in every country, but it’s a quiet masterpiece that speaks across borders. Through its characters—especially Pavel—it shares timeless messages of strength, awakening, and struggle.

Even if the book sits forgotten on a shelf somewhere, the story continues in every person who reads it and remembers something from it.

💬 Have you ever read a book that quietly stayed with you over time? Or found unexpected meaning in a character or name? Share in the comments.