“How the Steel Was Tempered”
How the Steel Was Tempered is a Soviet novel by Nikolai Ostrovsky. It tells the story of Pavel Korchagin, a young man who becomes a dedicated revolutionary fighter during the Russian Civil War and subsequent socialist construction. Through personal hardship and immense physical suffering, Pavel embodies the virtues of self-sacrifice, perseverance, and loyalty to the communist cause. His journey from an enthusiastic youth to a battle-hardened, paralyzed soldier reflects the ideological tenets of socialist realism, emphasizing the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and the importance of collective over individual goals.

Nikolai Ostrovsky and His Struggles
Nikolai Ostrovsky, the author of How the Steel Was Tempered, faced significant personal struggles throughout his life. Born in 1904, he joined the Komsomol and later the Red Army, participating actively in the Russian Civil War. At the age of 19, he was severely injured, leading to paralysis and blindness due to a progressive illness. Despite these debilitating conditions, Ostrovsky wrote his novel using a special frame to guide his pen, dictating to his family, and later typing with one finger. His determination to continue his work despite immense physical suffering mirrored the resilience and dedication of his protagonist, making his life story an inspiring testament to perseverance and the human spirit.

Translated from the Russian by R. Prokofieva
Illustrations by A. Reznichenko
Designed by I. Tsarevich

Original scan by DLI, this is a cleaned, optimised scan.

Part 1 here and here

Part 2 here and here