The Peasants, [Vol. 1]: Autumn

''The Peasants, [vol. 1] Autumn'' by Władysław Stanisław Reymont is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book centers on rural village life, depicting the everyday experiences of Polish peasants as they contend with the changing seasons, social customs, and their own relationships. The narrative focuses on characters like Boryna, his family, and their neighbors, giving an intimate portrayal of peasant struggles, family conflicts, traditions, and connection to the land. The opening of the novel introduces the reader to the setting—a Polish village in the midst of autumn—through the travels and conversations of its varied inhabitants, including a wandering beggar woman named Agatha and the local priest. Daily work, anxieties about the coming winter, and village gossip are woven through richly detailed scenes: the potato harvest, efforts to heal a stricken cow, and the social tensions of inheritance and marriage. Central figures like Boryna, the prosperous and aging farmer, are revealed in their domestic conflicts, grief over losses, and considerations about remarriage. The community’s rhythms, feuds, and hierarchy are vividly established, immersing the reader in the rural world that will be explored throughout the rest of the novel.