The Garnet Bracelet

In Kuprian’s view, love is a force that shapes one’s character and is one of life’s highest values. After all, the greatest love is as mysterious and rare a gift as genius or talent. If a person lets such a gift slip away, they realize they have lost something of immense significance—something that can never be replaced—and that “great love” has passed them by. Sometimes a person simply cannot find the inner strength to return such love, and their life is forever broken. The theme of all-consuming love—love that captivates a person instantly, completely, and utterly consumes their soul—is explored in the finest of Alexander Kuprin’s works on love included in this book.