This novel, which has had a tremendous influence not only on Russian but also on world culture, has been adapted into films numerous times both in Russia and abroad. Prince Nekhlyudov, an intelligent and jaded aesthete and sybarite, is horrified to recognize in court the prostitute accused of poisoning a client as Katyusha Maslova – the pure, gentle girl he had seduced out of boredom years ago and then easily abandoned, pushing her to the depths of despair. Tormented by pangs of conscience, he is ready to do anything – even marry the convicted convict and follow her to Siberia. But will he be able to beg for forgiveness? And will Katyusha accept the sacrifice from the man who ruined her life?