Let's be clear: this is not a book you race through. 'The Peasants' is a book you live in. Reymont structures the entire epic in four volumes—Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer—matching the life of the village of Lipka to the relentless cycle of the seasons. We settle into the world of Maciej Boryna, a wealthy, stubborn old farmer, and his community.

The Story

The plot revolves around land, inheritance, and love, all tangled together. Maciej's marriage to the much younger, beautiful Jagna sets the village buzzing. This marriage causes a rift with his son, Antek, who also carries a torch for Jagna. From here, the story fans out. We see the backbreaking work in the fields, the tense negotiations with the local manor, and the vibrant, sometimes raucous, church festivals and weddings. The central conflict is both personal and universal: the fight for the Boryna farm symbolizes the fight for the future. Will the old ways survive? Can individual passion fit within the rigid rules of the community? Every feud, every celebration, every change in the weather feels monumental because these people's lives depend on it.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me wasn't a twisty plot, but the incredible sense of immersion. Reymont makes you feel the ache in a farmer's back after a day of sowing, the hypnotic rhythm of a threshing song, and the claustrophobic pressure of village gossip. Jagna is a fascinating character—often misunderstood, yearning for beauty and love in a world that sees her only as a prize or a problem. The book doesn't judge its characters harshly; it presents them in all their complexity, showing how their environment shapes their choices. You come away understanding that their battles over a few acres of land are as epic as any war.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love rich historical detail and character-driven stories. If you enjoyed the community feel of Middlemarch or the raw, naturalist style of authors like Émile Zola, you'll find a lot to love here. It's also a great pick for anyone interested in social history or pre-modern rural life. Be prepared to read slowly and let the seasons change around you. It's a demanding, rewarding, and unforgettable journey into a vanished world.