Autumn Marathon

Andrey Pavlovich Buzykin works as an institute teacher and translates English literature. He is unfaithful to his wife, Nina. Buzykin is described as kind but weak‑hearted, repeatedly telling his wife unconvincing lies without finding the courage to reveal the truth. His lover, Alla, knows about his family situation; she becomes offended when he cannot meet her so that he does not return home late, and when he refuses to wear a new jacket she gives him in order to avoid explaining it to his wife. Both Alla and Nina leave Buzykin, later forgive him, and return to him simultaneously, after which Buzykin continues his life marked by suffering and deceit. Eventually the two women become so tired of his falsehoods that they do not believe him even when he tells the truth.