Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799 - 1837) is considered a pioneer in the use of Russian colloquial language in literature through his stories, dramas, and poems. His narrative style skillfully blends elements of romance, drama, and satire. As a result, he influenced numerous Russian writers and is still regarded by his compatriots as the quintessential Russian national poet—far ahead of more internationally recognized poets like Gogol, Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky. This volume includes three of his most important novellas: "The Tales of Belkin," "Dubrovsky," and "The Queen of Spades." They vividly illustrate Pushkin's storytelling style: "In any case, one must write stories like this, simply, briefly, and clearly" (Pushkin on his work). The translation was done by Johannes v. Guenther. This is a reprint of the original edition, undated.