In the Ravine Summary

In the small village of Ukleyevo, located down a steep ravine, Grigory Tsybukin lives with his second wife Varvara and his deaf son Stepan and his beautiful wife Aksinya. He also has an older son Anisim, who is a police detective. Grigory is in the trading business - everything from feathers for ladies' hats to vodka, pigs, and leather. However, he cheats his customers, for which Varvara feels much shame and guilt. Aksinya has a good business head and helps out. The village has four factories - three cotton mills and one tannery. Anisim comes home on an unexpected visit and Grigory and Varvara decide that he should marry. In a nearby village, they find a young, though poor beauty named Lipa. The families get together and agree to the pairing. Grigory and Varvara arrange for an elaborate wedding...