The Return

Brief Overview

The novella «The Return» by Andrei Platonov tells the story of Captain Alekseyev, who comes home after World War II. He finds his family—his wife and two children—who have grown accustomed to living without him during his absence. Alekseyev feels like a stranger in his own home and tries to rebuild his relationships with his loved ones. His wife and children also experience mixed emotions: joy at the return of their father and husband, but also a sense of alienation due to the long separation. The novella explores themes of family relationships, loneliness, and the search for one's place in the world after the war.