Describing the era of Ivan the Terrible, delving into all the horrors of that time, one cannot escape the indignation not so much from the thought that Ivan IV could have existed, but from the fact that there could have been a society that looked at him without indignation. That is why some of The most terrible atrocities of the oprichnina are depicted in the book with maximum historical accuracy, because it is worth remembering the words of one of Bunin’s characters, which perfectly suits the events in the book: “In the old days... everything was terrible.”

Hard Winter of 1570 of the year. The oprichnina army, headed by Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich himself, sets out on a campaign against Novgorod land. The king, who is feared and revered more than loved, is confident in the impending treason and is determined to stop it. His methods are furious and cruel. There is no mercy for anyone - not random people, not monasteries, not villages, not large cities. Everywhere behind the army in black robes there is only blood in the snow and traces of fires.