Hnat Khotkevych — Stone Soul (Kaminna Dusha)

Stone Soul (original title Камінна душа) by Hnat Khotkevych is an atmospheric and emotionally intense psychological novel set in the Carpathians. 
The story revolves around Marusya, an orphan who marries a priest and relocates to Kryvorivna. Although she gains the love and respect of the local Hutsuls, she struggles to find inner peace in a passionless marriage. Her heart is drawn to Dmytro Marusyak, a charismatic leader of the opryshky. Their bond is tested by the rugged life of the mountains, social mores, and moral tensions. 
Khotkevych masterfully blends folklore, natural imagery, the spiritual pulse of the Carpathian world, and deeply human conflict — exploring themes of freedom, identity, choice, and the inner life of those bound by tradition.