"Creatures that were once people" is a dystopian novel by the outstanding Russian writer Maxim Gorky. In this book, the author recreates a terrible world where man turns into a mechanical creature, deprived of his own will and individuality. The main character finds himself in a society where power and submissiveness determine everything, which only the armed resistance of the hero faces. This book is a reminder of the importance of freedom, dignity and human identity in a world where these values are gradually being lost. "Creatures that were once human" leaves a mark in the hearts of readers, forcing them to think about the threats that can displace the human in the conditions of power and totalitarianism.