The story was first published in 1910 in the magazine “Modern world” (№ 3, 10, 11). In the story Bunin reflected his thoughts about the people, about the fate of Russia. It is based on the author’s observations about the life of the peasants in the Yelets district. To create the character KuzmA KrAsov, Bunin used some features of EgOr IvAnovich NazArov, a self-taught poet from Yelets, he took some features from so-called “narOdniki” writers, and even took something from himself. In TIkhon KrAsov one can recognize the features of his brother EvgEny AleksEevich. The prototype of DurnOvka was the village of OgnYOvka, where the estate of his brother EvgEny was located. According to VEra NikolAevna, the first part of the story was written in Moscow within three days: “Sometimes he was leaving the room to come up to the mother, saying: “It’s awful, really awful.” Then he went back to his room again and continued writing.” At this moment Bunin’s imagination was probably bringing to him the pictures of events happening in this story. 

The “Village” gave a rise to many disputes and was the beginning of Bunin’s huge popularity. This first major writing was followed by other novels and stories, as Bunin wrote, “sharply outlining the Russian soul, its light and dark sides, and often tragic origins. Among the Russian critics and the Russian intellectuals who used to idealize the simple folks due to lack of awareness of the folk nature, or due to political considerations, my ‘unsparing’ writings caused hot and hostile responses. During these years, I felt my literary power grew stronger every day”.