Vladimir Karasyov

The main character Vorobei is a professional grave digger and alcohol addict, who runs away from hospital to dig graves instead of treating his head broken by his brother. He comes to cemetery and keeps on working, instead of his friends' advice to stay in the hospital. The world of death turns out to be surrounded by corruption, satanic money-making, cemetery mafia and lots of vodka.

Maria est arrêtée et emprisonnée pour meurtre, mais son époux ne la croit pas coupable et cherche à prouver son innocence.

Tolia, un milicien, découvre dans un champ un bébé abandonné à qui il s'attache peu à peu, au point de vouloir l'adopter.