All three stories are excellent. I am now a new fan of Maxim Gorky. I would like to add this of the main story Chelkash:

This is a fabulous short story that brilliantly depicts how a young naive person can be swept into a life of crime. The conflicting emotions between fear, greed, morals and need in a time of great poverty are so well portrayed in the young character. The sadness, compassion, anger, need, pride, and indifference of the elder criminal character are flawlessly portrayed. Though this story was written in the late 1890s, the message can easily be transferred into modern times. If you have ever wondered how decent young people in poverty can be driven into a life of crime you must read this book. It's one of the best depictions of the subject that I have ever read.

Russian/Reader