The life of the writer Alexander Kuprin (1870–1938) is like an action-packed novel. From early orphan childhood in the Widow's House - to a dizzying career, from the "defeat" of the army in the "Duel" - to repentance in the "Junkers", from the romantic "Garnet Bracelet" - to the pornographic "Pit", from participation in the White movement, escape from Russia and emigration - until they return to their homeland to the welcoming thunder of Soviet marches. Kuprin’s daily life is also striking: from the fame of a restaurant regular, table fights, friendships with circus performers, strongmen, fishermen, aviators, adventurers - to a reception with Lenin in the Kremlin... All the contradictions, paradoxes, disasters and turmoil of that turning point were reflected in Kuprin’s vast life. mythology, both Soviet and anti-Soviet. Victoria Milenko, candidate of philological sciences, was perhaps the first in modern times to make an attempt to “verify harmony with algebra,” that is, mythology with factology, using little-known and hitherto unknown materials and documents, and this turned out to be a very fascinating excursion. In a word, meet Alexander Kuprin!