Maxim Grushov was the father of Nadya and Havel.
Biography[]
Maxim lived with his wife and children in Duva and traveled across the Ravkan countryside working as a carpenter and woodcutter. When famine struck, Maxim could not leave Duva because his wife fell ill, so their family had no income and his wife soon died.
Young girls often disappeared from Duva, doubly so during the famine; the old women of the village said they were eaten by khitkii. Maxim insisted it was a mad animal and led his friends into the forest to hunt the beast, but they returned with nothing. Karina Stoyanova began watching Maxim, then bringing him food and kvas and talking to him about his children. Nadya asked him not to marry Karina, but a week after Havel was drafted into the army Maxim and Karina were wed. Prevented from leaving Duva to seek work, Maxim grew restless and upset, lashing out at Nadya and spending most of his time playing cards and drinking with Anton Kozar.
Nadya disappeared into the forest and with Magda's help, sent a gingergirl back to her house in her place. Maxim was elated to see what he thought was his daughter. When Karina left, Maxim began to eat the gingergirl, crying as he did so. From eating Magda's gingergirl, his insides ruptured and he died. The villagers realized Maxim was the one killing and eating girls when they found trophies from the victims hidden beneath the floorboards of his house. debated burning Maxim, but decided to bury him in rocky soil without Saints' prayers.[1]
Personality and traits[]
Maxim was well-liked in the village of Duva. However, when he was stuck in Duva during the famine, he became restless and angry. He was upset by his need to consume young girls and claimed that he tried to stop.[1]