In the wild jungle of world literature, some books pounce on you with the stealth of a tiger and the bite of a classic. Enter The Hunters and the Hunted by Ivan Bahrianyi, a gem of Ukrainian storytelling first unleashed in 1944 under the name Tiger Trappers. Why the title switch? And why should you, dear reader, track it down? Let’s stalk the answers through this thrilling tale of love, defiance, and survival.
A Love Story Caught in Stalin’s Crosshairs
Imagine the Siberian taiga: a frozen wilderness where the wind howls louder than your last argument with your boss. Now toss in Gregory and Natalka, two exiled Ukrainians whose love is tougher than the ice beneath their feet. Their romance isn’t just a candlelit dinner waiting to happen—it’s a battle against the Soviet regime’s iron fist, courtesy of Joseph Stalin’s terror. In The Hunters and the Hunted, Bahrianyi paints a vivid picture of Ukrainian life uprooted to the northern wilds, where every day is a test of will, and every heartbeat a quiet rebellion against human rights violations.
This isn’t just an adventure book—it’s a protest with a pulse. Through Gregory and Natalka’s journey, Bahrianyi exposes the cruelty of the ruling elite’s minions, showing how Stalin’s shadow warped individual lives. It’s a story that roars: “We will not be silenced!”—and trust me, it’s a roar you’ll feel in your bones.
From Seizure to Survival: The Author’s Own Hunt
Here’s where it gets personal. Ivan Bahrianyi didn’t just write about oppression—he lived it. Falsely branded an anti-Soviet troublemaker, he was repressed, and the original manuscript of Tiger Trappers was snatched by the authorities. Most writers would’ve thrown in the towel, but Bahrianyi? He rewrote the whole damn thing from memory after escaping to Germany. That’s not just dedication—that’s the kind of grit that makes his characters’ struggles leap off the page. The Hunters and the Hunted isn’t just fiction; it’s a middle finger to tyranny, penned by a man who refused to be hunted into silence.
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Why the Title Change to The Hunters and the Hunted? A Clue to the Chase
So, why ditch Tiger Trappers for The Hunters and the Hunted? The original title evokes a rugged, boots-on-the-ground hunt for fierce prey—fitting for a story set in the taiga. But the new name flips the script, hinting at something deeper: in this brutal world, who’s really hunting whom? Are Gregory and Natalka the trappers, or the trapped? It’s a clever nod to the book’s big questions—good versus evil, justice versus punishment, survival versus surrender—that keep you guessing long after the last page.
A Cultural Trophy: The Shevchenko National Prize
This isn’t just a book; it’s a lifeline to Ukrainian culture. For its unflinching portrayal of a nation under siege and its celebration of resilience, The Hunters and the Hunted snagged the Shevchenko National Prize—Ukraine’s top honor for artistic works. It’s a testament to how Bahrianyi captured the traditions, spirit, and sheer stubbornness of Ukrainians facing the Soviet grinder. Think of it as a literary time capsule, preserving a piece of history that refuses to fade.
Why You Should Read The Hunters and the Hunted: Eternal Questions, Epic Stakes
Sure, it’s tied to a specific era—Stalin’s reign of terror—but The Hunters and the Hunted isn’t stuck in 1944. It wrestles with the stuff that keeps us up at night no matter the century: What’s the line between right and wrong? How do we keep going when the world’s against us? Can love outlast a dictator’s wrath? Add in family ties, moral dilemmas, and a human-versus-nature showdown, and you’ve got a story that’s as relatable as it is gripping.
The Final Lure: Join the Hunt
So, grab The Hunters and the Hunted and step into Bahrianyi’s taiga. It’s a wild ride through Soviet oppression, a tribute to Ukrainian grit, and a love story that dares to bloom in the harshest soil. The title change? It’s your first clue that this isn’t just about trapping tigers—it’s about who we become when the hunt is on. Read it, and discover why this Ukrainian classic still stalks the shelves, waiting to claim its next reader.
You can purchase a copy at Amazon, here.
Phantom World
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Phantom World by A.R. Braun[/caption]
Explore the darkest depths of horror with Phantom World — an anthology of dark fiction that will send chills down your spine!
Our collection features stories about phantoms, ghosts, demons, poltergeists and other supernatural beings trapped in eternity. Get ready to experience some hardcore horror!
Not for the faint of heart. These tales will have you cringing, turning your head, and wondering what kind of sick person would write such content. The answer to that question would be – A.R. Braun. His goal as a writer is to one day be included on the “banned books” list.
This collection of Hard-core horrors is his latest attempt in infamy. And honestly, these stories are brutal.
While some of the ectoplasmic beings in these stories may come across as innocent at times, their stories unfold into gore heavy tales that will let you know exactly why these phantoms were not allowed into the heaven or even allowed to have a “peaceful” afterlife.
With such harsh karma affecting their transitions, it’s no wonder why these phantoms have chosen to haunt rather than ascend. They simply can’t. The tales concocted here are tales of tormented souls out for revenge, or they are finding ways to fight off the boredom that comes with eternal damnation.
If you are looking for hard-core, this is the collection for you.
“Raw and unnerving. Braun’s horror pieces have the ability to get under your skin. This collection of short stories is visceral and at times uncomfortable.” Leslie Wiseman,
So keep the lights on, and don’t read these tales alone. Who knows if you’ll be haunted next, or reach the end of the line?
A.R. Braun writes this book from his own personal experiences in dabbling with the occult and esoteric. As horror author of over 14 publications, this collection of ghost stories spans over 9 years of writing experience. And simply put, the ghosts in this anthology are jerks.
Immerse yourself in the unknown with stories that will help explore the mysteries and mythologies of our world. Discover a new realm of possibilities and imagination with Phantom World!
The paperback is available at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
eBook available from these vendors:
What People Are Saying
“Phantom World is a collection of 8 short stories from horror author A.R. Braun. The stories deal with vicious experiences with the afterlife. These are visceral tales of encounters with ghosts, demons and angels, where the ethereal doesn’t so much enter our world, but tears its way inside. The stories concern everyday people who encounter the supernatural, often by chance, with devastating effect. There is at times a religious bent to the encounters, with ghosts visiting a terrible revenge for past sins, or dragging their victims to an eternity in hell. Flesh is ripped and torn, but the ultimate horror is the knowledge that there is no escaping their fate, often an eternal one. There are elements of Clive Barker in the telling of these 8 macabre tales, with brutal frankness, and an anger at the unjust nature of life, death, and a capricious god. The tales, like the judgements within, pass quickly and savagely. They are easy to read, but linger afterwards. An enjoyable collection for fans of the nastier side of horror.” – Dean Makin, Horror Critic
“I’ll start with how much I enjoyed the book; it had all the spookiness I was looking for. All the stories keep on the theme of death and the paranormal, and that’s awesome. They were all easy short reads that were easily understood and digestible, and each of the stories had their own unique chill. Some were gruesome, others disturbing, and others just had that aura of creepiness and suspense. They were all great stories in all their own ways. My Favorite short story was probably “Beyond Death.” The interactions between the ghost of Kaiti and Lily were quirky, yet relatable, but I loved how much it delved into the insanity being in purgatory would cause. At first, sure, some activities would seem fun. But how long would the fun last before you truly began to go insane? Being dead would be bad enough, but the endlessness of everything would make it so much worse. The emptiness, the boredom? This book definitely saves the best for last. This is a great collection of horror stories, and it was refreshing to read stories that didn’t hold back on the gore and unhappy endings. Very creepy and disturbing, but that’s why we read horror!” Taylor D. Levesque, Horror Writer
“The collection as a whole is creepily gory and creative. The diversity in characters and scenarios in this collection really make it a fun and entertaining read. I really loved the last story, with the cute ghost familiar and teenage ghost!” Willy Martinez, author of “On Writing Horror”
Table of Contents
- The Woman Wore Black: An eerie woman in black creeps to the door of a well-to-do man, who’s in for the fright of his life.
- The Hat Man: A man beaten-down by life suffers as the two hours of rest he gets every night is ruined by sleep paralysis.
- That Chick in Stilettos: A young writer finally chases down his crush, only to find they’ve crossed over to the other realm.
- Recreant: A rock ‘n’ roller is haunted by the ghost of the huge jock-hippy that bullied him while alive, and the poor man will never be the same.
- Grannie’s Pickle: A man who was controlled by his grandmother can’t shake her violent specter now that she’s dead.
- Une Maison Hantee: An American moves to France, where his dreams come true, then gets assaulted from the beyond.
- Nil Caveat: A unsuspecting gent moves into the apartment of the devil.
- Beyond Death: A sixteen-year-old who thought she was in love with a man now has to get used to being a ghost—and, of course, there’s no way to get used to being a ghost.
- Mind on Fire Books
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