In 1903, Russian journalist and writer Vlas Doroshevich (1864–1922) wrote a book about Sakhalin, the most remote island of the Russian Empire, reclaimed by runaways, convicts and settlers. The book was a great success and was reprinted several times, including abroad. V. Doroshevich managed to recreate a completely realistic picture of the tragedies and horrors of Sakhalin: its prisons, executioners, criminals of all stripes - murderers, cannibals, thieves, adventurers.