The Garden of Gethsemane — Ivan Bahrianyi

The Hell of NKVD Prisons: The protagonist, engineer Andriy Chumak, is sent to a Kharkiv prison on false charges. The novel describes in detail the “methods” of Soviet terror: torture, endless nighttime interrogations (“the conveyor belt”), and psychological pressure, all aimed at forcing a person to incriminate themselves and their loved ones.
A Spiritual Trial (Symbolism): The title refers to the biblical story of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus endured his most difficult hours before the crucifixion. For Andriy, prison becomes a personal “garden of suffering,” where he must make a choice: betray his honor for the sake of his life, or remain human even under torture.
The Triumph of Indomitability: Despite the fact that all four Chumak brothers are imprisoned, Andriy proves stronger than the system. He refuses to sign any false confession. The work concludes with a victory of the spirit: the system can be physically destroyed, but it is impossible to break a person who has consciously chosen the path of truth and dignity.