Books with title Happy Village

The Village, Ivan Bunin’s first full-length novel, is a bleak and uncompromising portrayal of rural life in south-west Russia. Set at the time of the 1905 Revolution and centring on episodes in the lives of a landowner and his self-educated peasant brother, the book follows characters sunk so far below the average of intelligence as to be scarcely human. A triumph of bitter realism, Bunin’s cruel, lyrical prose reveals the pettiness, violence and ignorance of life on the land, foreshadowing the turbulences of Russia in the twentieth century.

Deep inside the valley of a magical forest sits Happy Village, a wonderful town with good people and tidy houses. Timmy and Maple live in this peaceful place, and the two children love to play in the nearby forest, with its pretty flowers, tasty fruits and vegetables, and towering trees. But one day, Timmy notices his beloved forest is changing. The flowers and trees no longer have such vibrant colors, and, very soon, they all begin to die. The villagers have no explanation for the tragedy, but Timmy knows who might: Secel, the happy and magical clown who lives in the forest. When his mother forbids him to take the journey into the forest alone, Timmy decides to disobey her, and he and Maple begin their trek. Secel, however, does not have good news for the children. Even though he holds great magic, he cannot save the forest from its fate. Fortunately, the clown does know of someone who can help: God. This is a new and special discovery for the children, as well as the villagers; as they begin to understand God's miraculous powers, they all learn some very powerful and inspiring life lessons. Filled with delightful illustrations, Happy Village teaches children and adults alike about the awesome power of God and the abiding joy of seeking him always.