Volodymyr Gzhytsky (1895-1973) was born in Ostrivets in western Ukraine. He was a member of the writers' troups Pluh and Zakhidnia Ukraina. His novels include Chorne ozero (The Black Lake), Povernennia (The Return), U shyrokyi svit (Into the Wide World), Opryshky (Opryshoks), Slovo chesty (Word of Honor), and Karmeliuk.