Birds of Heaven

Name: Birds of Heaven
Author: Vladimir Korolenko

The novel revolves around a young woman who flees her home to escape an arranged marriage and joins a group of traveling performers. She becomes embroiled in their struggles and eventually finds herself at the center of a tragic love triangle. The story explores themes of freedom, identity, and the human condition through the protagonist's experiences with the troupe.

By Vladimir Korolenko · First published 1891 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Philosophical Fiction · 10 chapters · 16,348 words

First lines

That day the monastery was joyously greeting the icon. For two months the "Lady" had been traveling from place to place and now she was returning home.

First in their three-horse coaches came the priests who had accompanied her and who were now bringing back to the monastery the treasure which they had collected on their travels. They looked healthy, well-fed, and satisfied. They were followed by the motley bands of pilgrims. These came in greater and greater numbers out of the forest, until at last the climax was reached with the gilded covering of the icon flashing in the sunlight above the heads of the marchers.

What this Textopian page supports

Birds of Heaven is listed on Textopian as a novel by Vladimir Korolenko, dated 1891 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Vladimir Korolenko
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama
Length: 16,348 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 509 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Birds of Heaven by Vladimir Korolenko
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Birds of Heaven?
How does this novel by Vladimir Korolenko fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of human experience, morality, and social issues through rich character development and narrative style.
Realism — The portrayal of everyday life and the struggles of individuals reflects realistic social conditions and human emotions.
Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into existential questions and moral dilemmas, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of life and humanity.
Historical Fiction — The setting and context provide insights into the historical period, influencing character motivations and societal norms.