Gooseberries Characters

Ivan is a middle-aged veterinarian who spends most of the story telling his friends Alekhin and Burkin about his younger brother, Nikolai. For decades, Ivan has been dismayed by Nikolai’s dream of owning land… read analysis of Ivan Ivanych

Nikolai is Ivan’s brother. He’s two years younger than Ivan, and he becomes a government employee at 19 while Ivan is studying to become a veterinarian. Nikolai and Ivan had an idyllic childhood in… read analysis of Nikolai Ivanych

Alekhin is Ivan and Burkin’s friend whom they visit at his estate, Sofyino, to seek shelter from the rain. Alekhin is a landowner and farmer of about 40 who has an intelligent and artistic… read analysis of Alekhin

Burkin is a high school teacher who’s friends with Ivan and Alekhin. At the beginning of the story, he and Ivan are walking the fields outside their village when it begins to rain, and… read analysis of Burkin