The Doll Walks on Earth

Kostya has absolute pitch. He is in the ninth grade, plays the balalaika in the orchestra "Strings of the North," and plans to enroll in a music college. Also, Kostya is a rare case of nervousness and sensitivity. This is... what his mother says. These qualities, strangely enough, help the teenager live in a city that is slowly "dying." But they also hinder him. One day, "Strings of the North" goes to perform in the capital of the region. There, Kostya witnesses a disgusting act committed by two guys from his own orchestra. He experiences such a strong emotional shock that he becomes seriously ill... What should be treated now - the soul or the body? Will Snezhana, whom Kostya loves and plays with in the orchestra, help him? Or will the Pierrot, a marionette on strings, gifted long ago by his father, suggest what to do? What or who will free Kostya from his illness? And is there any salvation from it at all?.. Dmitry Sirotin tells a poignant story about teenagers, first love, self-discovery, and a city full of history and legends that its residents keep. It can't be any other way. After all, the author writes about his native Vorkuta, where he was born and began his creative journey. He worked in a puppet theater, created scripts for celebrations, and led school theater clubs. Later, his writing career began. Dmitry's short stories and novellas have repeatedly made it to the short lists of the "Kniguru" contest, the V. P. Krapivin prize, and the K. Chukovsky competition. Artist Alina Fedina, while designing the publication, exquisitely conveyed the lyrical and fragile image of the hero.