Second entry in Ukrainian director Mark Donskoy's "Maxim Gorki" trilogy. Picking up where 1938's My Childhood left off, the story covers the years in Gorki's life when the future writer (Alexei Lyarsky) was on his own, looking for a purpose and place in life.
Aleksei Peshkov (later, Maxim Gorky)

Natalya, the washer-woman

Akulina Ivanovna Kashirina

Matriona Ivanovna
Sergeyev, the son-in-law

Ivanovna-Sergeyeva, daughter
Viktor Ivanov, son
The Rich Woman With Books (segment "like Queen Margo")
Smury, the cook

Sergei, the ship's waiter

Ship's Steward

Grandfather Kachirin

Uncle Yakov Kashirin

Zhikaryov, icon painter

Ivan Larionovich
Sitanev, craftsman

Kapendiukin
Mitropolsky
Unknown Role
