Thankfully light on the didacticism that can bedevil Soviet literature pre-perestroika, Agnia Kuznetsova writes a rather charming story about students at a school in Siberia who learn about their history and the town they live in with the help of a particularly understanding teacher. Grozny their teacher is also writing a tale which recounts the story of Saratovkin a former orphan adopted by a rich Russian family. Searching for his peasant origins, Saratovkin later gives all his inherited wealth away in order to practice as a teacher. Kuznetsova is not afraid to incorporate elements of magical realism into Grozny's parallel story which helps lift the story out of the dangers of the previously mentioned didacticism. Sure there's a moral (Character building through education helping to form the future Soviet friend, comrade and brother to his fellowmen)but it goes down easily.