Martin Kukucín is one of the most authentic writers of Slovak literary epic realism. His fiction is oriented toward what were originally two marginal literary themes: the general nature of being Slovak and the villager surrounded by his whole environment, speech, and traditions. Through these topics, and through his new language and characteristic humor, Kukucín broadened the horizons of the realistic method in art and inspired the literary awareness of his own and following generations of Slovak fiction writers in a decisive manner.

Kukucín was born Matej Bencúr on 17 May 1860 in the small Slovak village of Jasenová, where he obtained his elementary education. He came from a family of freemen, or so-called soltys, and according to local custom, as the third son of the family he had to either learn a trade or attend college, and he decided upon...