На полпути к Луне

The theme of the moral perfection of man was common to the stories of this collection. The position of the author is very clearly expressed in them, who, together with the heroes, gives battle to scoundrels and philistines. Often V. Aksenov pushes, contrasts two types of human behavior, two morals. So, in the story "Wild" two fates are compared: Pavel Zbaikov, who lived a life full of tragedy, but also a life full of deeds "in the wind", and Wild, frightened by the "wind of the era" and wasting his strength on inventing a useless machine that he invented in childhood. And this opposition in each story acquires its own, unique colors. Such are the stories "Local Hooligan Abramashvili", "Little Whale, Varnisher of Reality" and others.
In addition, the book includes "Japanese Notes", warmed by V. Aksenov's subtle powers of observation and love for expressive, symbolic details. These notes are written with great respect for the proud and hardworking Japanese people, and at the same time, the author does not hide the sharp contradictions in the life of Japan.