«Hard Times» in Polish with a Parallel Translation

"Hard Times" is the main novel by Michal Balucki, published in 1929. It narrates the lives of workers that took place in Ukraine in the early 20th century, during a period of turbulent social, political, and economic changes. The main character, the poor worker Krutogor, tries to survive in difficult social conditions, appealing to the gods despite the lack of response. Balucki portrays the dark side of workers' lives and social injustices, but also emphasizes their resilience and spirituality.