And Quiet Flows the Don by Mikhail Sholokhov. Short summary

5 seconds

The main character, Grigory Melekhov, has built a romantic relationship with his neighbor, Aksinya Astakhova, who was already married. But Grigory’s relatives forced him to marry Natalia Korshunova.

1 minute

Local Cossack Grigory Melekhov became the center of gossip in the village of Veshenskaya due to his relationship with married Aksinya Astakhova. This girl had been previously raped by her own father, for which she was killed by his son and wife. Later Stepan, the husband of the aforementioned lady, received information about his wife’s adultery, after which he beat her, although he himself did not adhere to the principle of conjugal fidelity. However, Aksinya is not alone — Grigory and his brother named Petro come to her aid.

The relatives do not approve of the relationship between the protagonist and Mrs. Astakhova, so they force him to marry Natalia Korshunova. Young Melekhov proposes to Aksinya not to mention their affair anymore, but the wedding ceremony, after which his wife will be the unloved girl, does not please the Cossack at all. He soon accuses his own father of ruining his personal life.