Book excerpt: The literary work of Leonid Andreyev is populated with unfortunate characters who inspire compassion. Andreiev never managed to get rid of the traumatizing experiences of his past, and transmitted in his texts images of tragedy and bitterness through his vanquished characters, with a revolted, impetuous and torturously personal style.In general, Andreyev's works reflect the somber and haunted life of those who have already lost all hope and illusion. Even the mood with which he tries to impregnate some texts tends to sound ironic and somber. Andreiev always tries to draw the reader's attention to the most tragic and cruel side of life, whipping up human selfishness, impiety, cowardice and brutality.Placed among the great pessimistic writers, Andreiev descends to the heart of the miseries that surround him, not hesitating even before the morbid, and exposing everything with an almost savage rawness.Critic August Nemo selected seven short stories from this author for your entertainment:LazarusOn The Day of CrucifixionThe Crushed FlowerThe Serpent's StoryJUdas IscariotThe Little AngelA Story Wich Will Never Be Finished