Publisher's Synopsis
Both stories, translated by us and presented in this book, are based on actual events. So, the plot of the novel "Dubrovsky" was prompted to the poet by his friend P. Nashchokin, who told Pushkin the story of not a rich Belorussian landowner, who had a law-suit with his neighbor about the land. His name was Ostrovsky. Having lost the case and his estate, he remained with his peasants and was planning the revenge, but falling in love with his enemy's daughter, refused from this idea, and, having no means to earn his living, turned into a robber of rich landowners on the roads. As to "The Queen of Spades", the plot was told Pushkin by the grandson of the countess Golitzina, who helped him to recoup after the card loss, prompting to put definite three cards in a row.
