Works classical literature, undoubtedly, are the foundations: they contain the culture, history, philosophy of the people about whom the authors narrated in their works. Russian literature occupies a fairly significant place in the niche of world classical literature: a huge number of works by Russian authors are read with pleasure abroad. We will try to consider 15 of the most iconic works of Russian classical literature, which everyone should be familiar with.
A.S. Pushkin "Eugene Onegin"
The most famous novel in verse tells us unusual story love between the main character, Evgeny Onegin and Tatyana. Their feelings are born in different times and influence the characters in different ways: having fallen in love first, Tatyana, after an explanation with her beloved, withdraws into herself, but, in essence, remains herself. Onegin’s feeling, which flared up much later, changes him beyond recognition. He appears before the reader full of passion and tenderness, having lost his former coldness and pride and is capable of real, sincere, human feeling. Against the background of the main storyline, the remaining actions of the novel unfold, during which the Russian poet raises a huge number of important problems, such as, for example, the social, everyday and cultural way of the entire Russian society of the early 19th century.
A.N. Ostrovsky "Dowry"
An immortal play that tells about the sad fate of Russian women, the heartlessness of rich people and the petty-bourgeois character of small people. It was superbly filmed by E. Ryazanov.
Stories by A.P. Chekhov
Chekhov wrote many stories, both funny and tragic. Chekhov's main character is an ordinary person with his own daily affairs and worries. The stories “Rothschild’s Violin”, “Ward No. 6”, “The Cure for Hard-drinking”, “The Man in a Case”, “Tears Invisible to the World”, etc. tell us that no one else understood the soul of the Russian person like Chekhov. Despite the genre, Chekhov's stories are a gem of Russian literature.
A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"
The main idea of Griboedov's comedy is expressed in the title of the work. The main character, Chatsky, who has returned from abroad, comes to the house of the nobleman Famusov to see his daughter Sophia, his former lover. This is where it happens, his rather unpleasant encounter with everything " Famusovsky society": by Famusov, Sofia, Molchalin, Skalozub themselves, who live fenced off from the world with their stereotypes and long-outdated views of the world. They instantly mistake Chatsky, a progressive, educated man who looks at the world differently, for a madman and a danger to society. The problem of a person who stands out from the stereotypical crowd and because of this is not accepted by society, so acutely posed by Griboedov, is still relevant to this day.
L.N. Tolstoy "Anna Karenina"
Main storyline of this novel - tragic story love between married Anna Karenina and officer Vronsky. Meeting her true love changes Anna's life; she is ready to sacrifice everything for her, but does not see a reciprocal gesture in her direction from her lover. The heroine, forced to struggle with her own feelings and public contempt, decides to throw herself under a train. The problematics of the work are questions about marriage, love and family that concern modern society no less than at the time of writing this novel.
L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace"
Tolstoy's epic novel describes the life of Russian society during the period Patriotic War with Napoleon, hence the title of the novel. Scenes of war are replaced by scenes of peaceful life, where hundreds acting heroes reveal to readers their character, their spiritual qualities and life values. Among the huge number of heroes, Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky stand out from the rest, whose names are known even to those who are not familiar with this novel. The first is soft, afraid of committing wrong acts, and non-conflict later becomes a Decembrist. Bolkonsky, presented at the beginning of the novel as cold, tired of the entire society surrounding him, is revealed as a sensitive nature, capable of feats for the sake of his Motherland and for strong feeling towards the woman he loves. This novel certainly deserves the attention of any literature connoisseur for its variety of problems raised and all the brightness and contrast of the social life described.
F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment"
The plot of the socio-psychological novel is based on the murder of an old pawnbroker by Rodion Raskolnikov and his subsequent state of mind, the search for an answer to the question “is he a trembling creature or does he have the right.” The reader is immediately struck by the problem of poverty raised by the author, which, in part, pushes Raskolnikov to commit a terrible act. But here the author’s idea about faith in goodness and love, the ability to forgive and those bright feelings, which must suppress cruelty in the struggle for power.
M.A. Sholokhov "Quiet Don"
Sholokhov's novel touches on pictures of the life of the Cossacks, their traditions, customs and life values. Their cruel, strict morals of life make the Cossacks special, and the forbidden love of Gregory and Aksinya unfolding against this background is extraordinary, contrary to all the rules, rebellious, but sincere to the depths of the soul.
N.V. Gogol "The Inspector General"
Everyone famous comedy Gogol's "The Inspector General" sets as its primary goal the ridicule of the city authorities, who, having learned about the arrival of the inspector, became seriously worried, and then, in his presence, began to openly grovel before him, missing only one important detail- Khlestakov, whom they mistook for an auditor, turned out to be the most ordinary cunning and deceiver from the street. The problems of bribery, neglect of one's duties, pettiness and cowardice are highlighted in Gogol's comedy.
N.V. Gogol "Dead Souls"
The book tells about the adventures of Chichikov Pavel Ivanovich, the main character of the poem, a former collegiate adviser posing as a landowner. Chichikov arrives in an unnamed town, a certain provincial “city N”, and immediately tries to gain the trust of all any important inhabitants of the city, which he successfully succeeds in doing. The hero becomes an extremely welcome guest at balls and dinners. The townspeople of the unnamed city have no idea about Chichikov's true goals. And its goal is to buy up or acquire free of charge dead peasants who, according to the census, were still listed as living among local landowners, and then register them in their own name as living.
M.Yu. Lermontov "Hero of Our Time"
It's about spiritual world person. This topic is well covered thanks to the contradictory image of Pechorin. This person is not the most pleasant character, not always noble deeds, but also a very difficult fate. Someone may condemn him for his treatment of Bela, Maksim Maksimych and the princess, someone sympathizes with him, especially after his monologue about the difficulty of his fate in “Princess Mary”. Pechorin is a person who is in deep conflict with society, but at the same time, a person who cannot but arouse admiration from this same society for the strength of his personality.
I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons"
The novel became iconic for its time, and the image of the main character Evgeniy Bazarov was perceived by young people as an example to follow. Ideals such as uncompromisingness, lack of admiration for authorities and old truths, the priority of the useful over the beautiful were accepted by the people of that time and were reflected in Bazarov’s worldview.
I.S. Turgenev "Notes of a Hunter"
The classic hunted a lot in the Oryol province. There he met different people, he followed the life of the Russian people, which he describes in his book. This is a collection of stories published in 1847-1851 in the Sovremennik magazine and published as a separate edition in 1852. Three stories were written and added by the author to the collection much later.
M.A. Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"
The main theme of the novel “The Master and Margarita” is the search for truth, the search for oneself, one’s personality, one’s direction, one’s path in life. The Master's novel is presented here as truth, but those who comprehend and find the truth inevitably become mentally ill. One of the main ideas in the novel is also the struggle between good and evil, which affects all the heroes of the novel, intertwining the genres of fiction, satire and philosophy. Although the novel was published in Soviet era, it has become an undisputed classic.
M.A. Bulgakov "Heart of a Dog"
The story “Heart of a Dog” is based on the story of how Professor Preobrazhensky decides to transplant a human pituitary gland and ovaries into a homeless dog. His fantastic experiment ends with the transformation of a cute stray dog into a disgusting representative of the proletariat, Sharikov. The problem of the proletariat, by the way, is one of the main issues of the story. The post-revolutionary structure of society, which causes Preobrazhensky’s undisguised irritation, makes the reader think deeply.
Books are one of the greatest legacies of humanity. And if before the invention of printing, books were available only to a select caste of people, then books began to spread everywhere. Each new generation gave birth to talented writers who created world masterpieces of literature.
Great works have reached us, but we are reading the classics less and less. The literary portal Buklya presents to your attention 100 best books of all times and peoples, which are a must read. On this list you will find not only classic works, but also modern books that have left their mark on history quite recently.
1 Mikhail Bulgakov
A novel that does not fit into the usual literary framework. This story mixes philosophy and everyday life, theology and fantasy, mysticism and realism, mysticism and lyricism. And all these components are intertwined with skillful hands into a solid and bright story, which can turn your world upside down. And yes, this is Bookly’s favorite book!
2
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
A book from the school curriculum that is difficult to understand in the tender teenage years. The writer showed the duality of the human soul, when black is intertwined with white. The story is about Raskolnikov, who is going through an internal struggle.
3
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A small story that contains a huge life meaning. A story that makes you look at familiar things differently.
4
Mikhail Bulgakov
An amazingly subtle and sarcastic story about people and their vices. The story is about an experiment that proved that you can make a human out of an animal, but you cannot take an “animal” out of a human.
5
Erich Maria Remarque
It is impossible to tell what this novel is about. You need to read the novel, and then you will understand that this is not just a story, but a confession. Confession about love, friendship, pain. A story of despair and struggle.
6
Jerome Salinger
The story of a teenager who shows with his own eyes his perception of the world, his point of view, his renunciation of the usual principles and moral principles of society that do not fit into his individual framework.
7
Mikhail Lermontov
A lyrical and psychological novel that tells the story of a man with complex character. The author shows it from different sides. And the disrupted chronology of events makes you completely immerse yourself in the narrative.
8
Arthur Conan Doyle
The legendary investigations of the great detective Sherlock, which reveal the meanness of the human soul. Stories told by friend and assistant detective Dr. Watson.
9
Oscar Wilde
A story about pride, selfishness and a strong soul. A story that clearly shows what can happen to a person’s soul tormented by vices.
10
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
A fantastic trilogy about people and non-humans who fell under the power of the One Ring and its lord Sauron. The story is about those who are ready to sacrifice the most precious things and even their lives for the sake of friendship and saving the world.
11
Mario Puzo
A novel about one of the most powerful mafia families in America of the last century - the Corleone family. Many people know the film, so it’s time to start reading.
12
Erich Maria Remarque
After the First World War, many emigrants ended up in France. Among them is the talented German surgeon Ravik. This is the story of his life and love against the backdrop of the war he experienced.
13
Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol
The story of the Russian soul and stupidity. And the author’s amazing style and language makes the sentences sparkle with colors and shades that fully reveal the history of our people.
14
Colin McCullough
A stunning novel that tells not only about the love of a man and a woman and complex relationships, but also about feelings for family, native places and nature.
15
Emily Brontë
A family lives on a secluded estate and there is a tense atmosphere in their home. Difficult relationships have deep roots that are hidden in the past. The story of Heathcliff and Catherine will not leave any reader indifferent.
16
Erich Maria Remarque
A book about the war from the perspective of a simple soldier. The book is about how war breaks and cripples the souls of innocent people.
17
Hermann Hesse
The book simply turns all ideas about life upside down. After reading it, it is no longer possible to get rid of the feeling that you are one step closer to something incredible. This book has answers to many questions.
18
Stephen King
Paul Edgecombe former employee prison, which served in the block for death row prisoners. It tells the life story of suicide bombers who were destined to walk the Green Mile.
20
Victor Hugo
Paris 15th century. On one side it is full of grandeur, and on the other it looks like a sewer. Against the backdrop of historical events, a love story unfolds - Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
21
Daniel Defoe
The diary of a sailor who was shipwrecked and lived alone on an island for 28 years. He had to go through too many trials.
22
Lewis Carroll
Strange and mysterious story about a girl who, in pursuit of a white rabbit, finds herself in a different and wonderful world.
23
Ernest Hemingway
There is war on the pages of the book, but even in a world full of pain and fear, there is a place for beauty. To a wonderful feeling called love, which makes us stronger.
24
Jack London
What can love do? Martin's love for the beautiful Ruth made him struggle. He overcame many obstacles to become something great. A story about spiritual development and personality formation.
25
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic and fascinating fairy tale in which magic intertwines with reality.
26
We are Evgeny Zamyatin
The novel is a dystopia, which describes an ideal society where there is no personal opinion, and everything happens according to schedule. But even in such a society there is a place for freethinkers.
27
Ernest Hemingway
Frederick volunteered to go to war, where he became a doctor. In the sanitary unit, where even the air is saturated with death, love is born.
28
Boris Pasternak
Beginning of the twentieth century. Russian Empire has already embarked on the path of revolution. The story is about the life of the intelligentsia of that time, as well as the book raises questions of religion and touches on the mystery of life and death.
29
Vladimir Nabokov
A cautionary tale about people who betrayed their ideals. A book about how bright and wonderful feelings evolve into something dark and disgusting.
30
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
The greatest work that draws you into the story of Faust, who sold his soul to the Devil. By reading this book you can walk the path of learning about life.
31
Dante Alighieri
The work consists of three parts. First we go to Hell to complete all 9 circles. Then Purgatory awaits us, through which we can atone for our sins. And only by reaching the top can you enter Paradise.
32
Anthony Burgess
Not the most pleasant story, but it shows human nature. A story about how you can make an obedient and silent doll out of any person.
33
Victor Pelevin
A complex story that is difficult to understand the first time. A story about the life of a decadent poet who is looking for his own path, and Chapaev leads Peter to enlightenment.
34
William Golding
What will happen to the children if they find themselves completely alone? Children have a delicate nature, which is quite susceptible to vices. And sweet, kind children turn into real monsters.
35
Albert Camus
36
James Clavell
The story of an English sailor who, by the will of fate, ended up in Japan. An epic novel with historical realities, intrigue, adventures and secrets.
37
Ray Bradbury
Collection fantasy stories, which tells about the life of people on Mars. They almost destroyed the Earth, but what awaits the other planet?
38
Stanislav Lem
There is an Ocean on this planet. He is alive and he has a mind. Researchers face the difficult task of transferring knowledge to the ocean. And he will help make their dreams come true...
39
Hermann Hesse
The book is about an internal crisis that can happen to anyone. Inner devastation can destroy a person if one day you don’t meet a person along the way who will give you just one book…
40
Milan Kundera
Plunge into the world of sensations and feelings of the libertine Tomas, who is used to changing women, so that no one dares to take away his freedom.
41
Boris Vian
Each of the group of friends has their own destiny. Everything goes easy and simple. Friendship. Love. Conversations. But one event can change everything and destroy your usual life.
42
Iain Banks
Frank tells the story of his childhood and describes the present. He has his own world, which can collapse at any moment. Unexpected turning points in the plot add a special flavor to the whole story.
43
John Irving
This book raises themes of family, childhood, friendship, love, betrayal and betrayal. This is the world we live in with all the problems and shortcomings.
44
Michael Ondaatje
This book contains many themes - war, death, love, betrayal. But the main leitmotif is loneliness, which can take on a variety of forms.
46
Ray Bradbury
Books are our future, but what will happen if they are replaced by TV and one opinion? The answer to this question is given by a writer who was ahead of his time.
47
Patrick Suskind
Story mad genius. His whole life is wrapped in smells. He will go to any lengths to create the perfect scent.
48
1984 George Orwell
Three totalitarian states, where even thoughts are controlled. The world is hateful, but there are people who can still resist the system.
49
Jack London
Alaska at the end of the 19th century. The era of the gold rush. And among human greed lives a wolf named White Fang.
50
Jane Austen
The Bennett family has only daughters, and the heir is a distant relative. And once the head of the family dies, the young girls will be left with nothing.
51
Evgeny Petrov and Ilya Ilf
Who doesn’t know Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov and their eternal failures, which are associated with the search for ill-fated diamonds.
52
Fyodor Dostoevsky
53
Charlotte Bronte
Jane became an orphan early, and life in her aunt's house was far from happy. And love for a strict and gloomy man is far from a romantic story.
54
Ernest Hemingway
A short story from the life of an ordinary person. But reading this work, you penetrate into an amazing world that is full of emotions.
55
Francis Scott Fitzgerald
A great novel that is filled with feelings. On the pages of the book awaits the beginning of the 20th century, when people were full of illusions and hopes. This story is about life values and true love.
56
Alexandre Dumas
We are all familiar with the adventures of d'Artagnan and his closest friends. A book about friendship, honor, devotion, fidelity and love. And of course, like other works of the author, it was not without intrigue.
57
Ken Kesey
This story will be told to the reader by the patient psychiatric hospital. Patrick McMurphy ends up in prison, in a psychiatric ward. But some people think that he is simply faking his illness.
59
Victor Hugo
The novel describes the life of an escaped convict who is hiding from the authorities. After escaping, he had to endure a lot of hardships, but he was able to change his life. But police inspector Javert is ready to do anything to catch the criminal.
60
Victor Hugo
The actor-philosopher met on his way a disfigured boy and a blind girl. He takes them under his wing. Against the background of physical defects, the perfection and purity of souls is clearly visible. It’s also a great contrast to the life of the aristocracy.
61
Vladimir Nabokov
The novel tightens its unhealthy web of passions and unhealthy love. The main characters gradually go crazy, dominated by their base desires, like the entire world around them. This book definitely won't have a happy ending.
62
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic story that describes the life of stalker Redrick Shewhart, who extracts extraterrestrial artifacts from anomalous Zones on Earth.
63
Richard Bach
Even a simple seagull can get tired of the drab life, and become bored with everyday life. And then Chaika devotes her life to her dream. The seagull gives his whole soul on the way to his cherished goal.
64
Bernard Werber
Michel ended up at the court of the archangels, where he will have to undergo the weighing of his soul. After the trial, he faces a choice - to go to earth in a new incarnation or become an angel. The path of an angel is not simple, just like the life of mere mortals.
65
Ethel Lilian Voynich
A story about freedom, duty and honor. And also about different types love. In the first case, it is the love of a father for his son, which has survived many trials and will pass through generations. In the second case, it is love between a man and a woman, which is like a fire, then goes out, then flares up again.
66
John Fowles
He is a simple town hall servant, lonely and lost. He has a passion - collecting butterflies. But one day he wanted to add to his collection a girl who captivated his soul.
67
Walter Scott
The narrative of the novel will take readers into the distant past. During the time of Richard the Lionheart and the first crusades. This is one of the first historical novels that everyone must read.
68
Bernhard Schlink
There are a lot of questions in the book that remain unanswered. The book makes you think and analyze not only what is happening on the pages, but also your life. This is a story about love and betrayal that will not leave anyone indifferent.
69
Ayn Rand
Socialists come to power and set a course for equal opportunities. The authorities believe that the talented and rich should improve the well-being of others. But instead of a happy future, the familiar world is plunging into chaos.
The story of an actress who has worked in the theater all her life. And what is reality for her: acting on stage or acting in life? How many roles do you have to play every day?
72
Aldous Huxley
Dystopian novel. Satire novel. A world where Henry Ford became a god, and the creation of the first Ford T car is considered the beginning of time. People are simply raised, but they don’t know anything about feelings.
75
Albert Camus
Meursault lives a detached life. It seems that his life does not belong to him at all. He is indifferent to everything and even his actions are saturated with loneliness and renunciation of life.
76
Somerset Maugham
Philip's life story. He is an orphan and throughout his life he not only searches for the meaning of life, but also for himself. And the main thing is to understand the world and people around us.
77
Irvine Welsh
The story of friends who one day discovered drugs and euphoria. Each character is unusual and quite smart. They valued life and friendship, but only until the moment when heroin came first.
78
Herman Melville
Ahab, the captain of a whaling ship, set the goal of his life to take revenge on a whale named Moby Dick. Wit ruined too many lives to let him live. But as soon as the captain starts hunting, mysterious and sometimes terrible events begin to happen on his ship.
79
Joseph Heller
One of the best books about World War II. In it, the author was able to show the senselessness of war and the monstrous absurdity of the state machine.
80
William Faulkner
Four characters, each telling their own version of events. And to understand what we're talking about, you need to read to the end, where the puzzles will fit into a single picture of life and secret desires.
82
JK Rowling
83
Roger Zelazny
A classic of the fantasy genre. The chronicles are divided into two volumes of 5 books. In this cycle you can find travel in space and time, wars, intrigue, betrayal, as well as loyalty and courage.
84
Andrzej Sapkowski
One of the best fantasy series. The series includes 8 books, with the last one being “Season of Thunderstorms”, which is best read after the first or second book. This is a story about the Witcher and his adventures, his life and love, and also about the girl Ciri, who can change the world.
85
Honore de Balzac
An amazing story about the boundless and sacrificial love of a father for his children. About love that was never mutual. About the love that destroyed Father Goriot.
86
Gunther Grass
The story is about a boy named Oskar Matzerath, who, when the National Socialists came to power in Germany, refuses to grow up in protest. Thus, he expresses his protest to the changes in German society.
87
Boris Vasiliev
A poignant story of war. About true love for parents, friends, and the Motherland. This story must be read to feel the entire emotional component of this story.
88
Stendhal
The story is about Julien Sorel and the soul, in which there is a confrontation between two feelings: passion and ambition. These two feelings are so intertwined that it is often impossible to distinguish between them.
89
Leo Tolstoy
An epic novel that describes an entire era, delving into historical realities and art world of that time. War will be replaced by peace, and the peaceful life of the characters depends on the war. Many heroes with unique characters.
90
Gustave Flaubert
This story is recognized as the greatest work of world literature. Emma Bovary dreams of being beautiful social life, but her husband, a provincial doctor, cannot satisfy her requests. She finds lovers, but will they be able to fulfill Madame Bovary's dream?
91
Chuck Palahniuk
No matter how much the work of this author is criticized, it cannot be denied that his book “Fight Club” is one of the symbols of our generation. This is a story about people who decided to change this dirty world. The story is about a man who was able to resist the system.
92
Markus Zusak
Winter Germany in 1939, when Death has too much work, and after six months the work will increase significantly. A story about Liesel, about fanatical Germans, about a Jewish fighter, about thefts and about the power of words.
93
Alexander Pushkin
The novel in verse tells the story of the fate of the noble intelligentsia with their vices and selfishness. And at the center of history love story no happy ending.
94
George Martin
A fantastic story about another world ruled by kings and dragons. Love, betrayal, intrigue, war and death, all for the sake of power.
95
David Mitchell
History of past, present and future. Stories of people from different times. But these stories make up a single picture of our entire world.
96
Stephen King
A fantastic series of novels by the master of horrors. This series interweaves genres. The books closely coexist with horror, western, Science fiction and other genres. This is the story of the gunslinger Roland, who is searching for the Dark Tower.
97
Haruki Murakami
The story of human destinies in Japan in the 60s of the twentieth century. A story about human loss. Memoirs of Tooru, which will introduce the reader to different people and their stories.
98
Andy Weir
By chance, an astronaut is left alone at a space base on Mars. He has a limited amount of resources, but no connection with people. But he doesn’t give up, he believes that they will come back for him.
100
Samuel Beckett
An amazing play where everyone determines for themselves the mysterious personality of Godot. The author gives you the opportunity to find the answer to the question “who is he?” A specific person? Strong personality? Collective image? Or God?
I would like to include many more books in this top. Therefore, dear readers, write in the comments about those books that you consider the best. We will add books to the top and, with your help, expand it to the 1000 best books of all times.
Surely many people believe that classical works, by their definition, are long, boring, have been written for many years, and therefore are not always understandable to the modern reader. This is a common mistake. After all, in fact, classics are everything that is not subject to time. The themes revealed in such works are relevant for any century. And if a 19th century author wrote such a book now, it would again become a bestseller. We bring to your attention the best classic ones. They captivated millions of readers. And even those who claim that they are dissatisfied with the author’s creation, believe me, did not remain indifferent.
1.
The novel consists of two different but intertwined parts. The first one is set in modern Moscow, the second one is in ancient Jerusalem. Each part is filled with events and characters - historical, fictional, as well as scary and amazing creatures.
2.
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What forces move people? They are the result of the actions of individuals - kings, generals - or such feelings as patriotism, or there is a third force that determines the direction of history. The main characters are painfully searching for the answer to this question.
3. $
The novel is based on the experience that Dostoevsky received in hard labor. Student Raskolnikov, who has vegetated in poverty for several months, is convinced that a humane goal will justify the most terrible act, even the murder of a greedy and useless old money-lender.
4.
A novel that was ahead of its time and came out long before the emergence of such a cultural phenomenon as postmodernism. The main characters of the work - 4 sons born from different mothers - symbolize those irrepressible elements that can lead to the death of Russia.
5.
Should she stay with her husband, who was always indifferent to her inner world and never loved her, or should she give herself with all her heart to the one who made her feel happy? Throughout the novel, the heroine, the young aristocrat Anna, is tormented by this choice.
6.
The poor young prince returns home to Russia by train. On the way, he meets the son of one of the rich merchants, who is obsessed with a passion for one girl, a kept woman. IN metropolitan society, fixated on money, power and manipulation, the prince turns out to be an outsider.
7. $
Despite the name, the work itself has nothing to do with the mysticism that is mainly inherent in the work of this writer. In the tradition of “harsh” realism, the life of landowners in the Russian province is described, where a former official comes to carry out his scam.
8. $
The young St. Petersburg rake, fed up with love and social entertainment, leaves for the village, where he develops a friendship with a poet who is in love with one of the daughters of a local nobleman. The second daughter falls in love with the rake, but he does not respond to her feelings.
9.
A famous Moscow surgeon decides to conduct a very risky experiment on a stray dog in his large apartment, where he receives patients. As a result, the animal began to turn into a human. But at the same time he acquired all human vices.
10. $
IN provincial town ok, people arrive who, it would seem, cannot be connected by anything. But they know each other, since they belong to the same revolutionary organization. Their goal is to create a political riot. Everything goes according to plan, but one revolutionary decides to quit the game.
11. $
Cult work XIX century. At the center of the story is a student who does not accept traditional public morality and opposes everything old and non-progressive. For him, only scientific knowledge is valuable, which can explain everything. Except love.
12.
He was a doctor by profession, a writer by vocation, whose talent was fully revealed when creating short humorous stories. They quickly became classics all over the world. In them, in an accessible language - the language of humor - human vices are revealed.
13.
This work is on a par with Gogol's poem. In it, the main character is also a young adventurer who is ready to promise everyone something that, in principle, cannot be done. And all for the sake of a treasure that several other people know about. And no one is going to share it.
14. $
After a three-year separation, young Alexander returns to the house of his beloved Sophia to propose to her. However, she refuses him and says that she now loves someone else. The rejected lover begins to blame the society in which Sophia grew up.
15.
What should a real nobleman do if the life of a young noble girl depends on him? Sacrifice yourself, but not lose your honor. This is what guides the young officer when the fortress in which he serves is attacked by the impostor king.
16.
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Terrible poverty and hopelessness are strangling the old resident of Cuba. One day, as usual, he goes to sea, not hoping for a big catch. But this time he catches a large prey on his hook, with which the fisherman fights for several days, not giving it the opportunity to escape.
17.
Ragin selflessly serves as a doctor. However, his zeal is fading; he sees no point in changing the life around him, because it is impossible to cure the madness that reigns around him. The doctor begins to visit the ward daily where the mentally ill are kept.
18. $
What is more destructive - to do nothing and just indulge in dreams about how to live, or to get off the couch and start implementing your plans? The young and lazy landowner Ilya Ilyich initially occupied the first position, but after he fell in love, he woke up from his sleepy state.
19. $
You can write magnificent works not only about the life of a big city, but also about the life of a small Ukrainian farm. During the day, the usual rules apply here, but at night, power passes to supernatural forces that can both help and at the same time destroy.
20.
A talented surgeon settles illegally in Paris, but is not prevented from practicing medicine. Before moving, he lived in Germany, from which he fled, but at the same time allowed his beloved to die. In a new place, he quickly begins another romance.
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A Russian tutor goes on a trip with the family in which he serves. At the same time, he is secretly in love with the girl Polina. And so that she understands all his nobility, he begins to play roulette in the hope of getting big money. And he succeeds, but the girl does not accept the winnings.
22.
The world of family comfort, nobility and true patriotism is breaking under the onslaught of social catastrophe in Russia. The escaped Russian officers settled in Ukraine and hoped that they would not fall under the rule of the Bolsheviks. But one day the city's defenses weaken and the enemy goes on the offensive.
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A series of short works written in different artistic manner. Here you can find a romantic duelist, sentimental stories about eternal love, and a harsh picture of reality in which money rules, and because of it a person can lose the most important thing.
24.
What Pushkin failed to do in his time, Dostoevsky did. The work is entirely a correspondence between a poor official and a young girl who also has a small income. But at the same time, the heroes are not poor in soul.
25. $
A story about the invincibility and perseverance of a man who does not want to be someone's faithful soldier. For the sake of freedom, Hadji Murat goes over to the side of the imperial troops, but does this in order to save not himself, but his family, which is captured by the enemy.
26.
$
In these seven works, the author takes us through the streets of St. Petersburg, which was built with the help of strength and ingenuity on swampy terrain. Beneath its harmonious façade lies deception and violence. The inhabitants are confused by the city itself, giving them false dreams.
27.
This collection short stories- first major work, which won the author recognition. It is based on personal observations while hunting on his mother's estate, where Turgenev learned about the mistreatment of peasants and the injustice of the Russian system.
28.
The main character is the son of a landowner, whose property was confiscated by a corrupt and treacherous general. After the death of his father, the hero becomes a criminal. To achieve the ultimate goal - revenge - he resorts to more cunning means: he seduces the daughter of his enemy.
29.
This classic war novel is written from the perspective of a young German soldier. The hero is only 18 years old, and under the pressure of his family, friends and society, he enlists in military service and goes to the front. There he witnesses such horrors that he dares not tell anyone about.
30.
Mischievous and energetic, Tom enjoys childhood pranks and games with his friends. One day, at the city cemetery, he witnesses a murder committed by a local tramp. The hero makes a vow that he will never talk about it, and so begins his journey into adulthood.
31.
The story of a pathetic St. Petersburg official whose expensive overcoat was stolen. No one wants to help him return the item, which eventually makes the hero seriously ill. Even during the author’s lifetime, critics adequately appreciated the work from which all Russian realism was born.
32.
The novel is on a par with another work of the author - “The Call of the Wild”. Most « White Fang"is also written from the point of view of the dog whose name appears in the title. This allows the author to show how animals see their world and how they see humans.
33. $
The novel tells the story of 19-year-old Arkady, the illegitimate son of a landowner and a maid, as he struggles to improve his situation and “become a Rothschild,” despite the fact that Russia remains tied to its old value system.
34. $
The novel is about how a hero, who is very broken and disillusioned due to a failed marriage, returns to his estate and finds his love again - only to lose her. This reflects main topic: a person is not destined to experience happiness except something ephemeral.
35. $
A dark and engrossing tale that follows the struggle of an indecisive, alienated hero in a world of relative values. The innovative work introduced the moral, religious, political and social themes that would dominate the author's later masterpieces.
36. $
The narrator arrives in Sevastopol, which is under siege, and makes a detailed inspection of the city. As a result, the reader has the opportunity to study all the features of military life. We find ourselves at a dressing station, where horror reigns, and at the most dangerous bastion.
37. $
The work is partly based on life experience author who took part in the war in the Caucasus. A nobleman, disillusioned with his privileged life, enlists in the army to escape superficiality everyday life. A hero in search of a full life. 38.$
First social novel author who is partly artistic introductory remarks for those who belonged to a previous era, but lived at a time when political and social movements began. This era has already been forgotten, but it is worth remembering.
39. $
One of the greatest and most successful dramatic works. A Russian aristocrat and her family return to their estate to oversee the public auction of their house and huge garden for debt. The old masters are losing in the struggle to new trends in life.
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The hero was sentenced to death on charges of murdering his wife, but was subsequently exiled to Siberian penal servitude for 10 years. Life in prison is hard for him - he is an intellectual and experiences the anger of other prisoners. Gradually he overcomes his disgust and experiences a spiritual awakening.
41. $
On the eve of his wedding, a young aristocrat learns that his bride was having an affair with the king. This was a blow to his pride, so he renounces everything worldly and becomes a monk. This is how they pass for many years humility and doubt. Until he decides to become a hermit.
42.
The editor falls into the hands of a manuscript that tells about a young and depraved man who worked as a forensic investigator. It becomes one of the "corners" in love triangle, in which a married couple is involved. The outcome of the story is the murder of his wife.
43.
A work banned until 1988, in which, through the fate of one military doctor, the story of a people who perished in the turmoil of the revolution is told. From the general madness, the hero, together with his family, flees into the interior of the country, where he meets someone whom he does not want to let go.
44.
The main character, like all his friends, is a war veteran. He is a poet at heart, but he works for a friend who runs a small tombstone manufacturing business. This money is not enough, and he earns additional income by giving private lessons and playing the organ at a local mental hospital.
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In someone else's war, Frederic falls in love with a nurse and tries to seduce her, after which their relationship begins. But one day the hero is wounded by a fragment of a mortar shell, and he is sent to a Milan hospital. There, far from the war, he heals - both physically and mentally.
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During breakfast, the barber discovers a human nose in his bread. With horror, he recognizes him as the nose of a regular visitor who holds the rank of collegiate assessor. In turn, the injured official discovers the loss and submits an absurd advertisement to the newspaper.
47.
The main character, a boy, seeking independence and freedom, escapes from his alcoholic father by faking his own death. And so begins his journey through the south of the country. He meets a runaway slave and they float down the Mississippi River together.
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The plot of the poem is based on the events that actually took place in St. Petersburg in 1824. The political, historical and existential questions that the author articulates with dazzling force and brevity continue to be the subject of controversy among critics.
49. $
To save his beloved, who was forcibly taken away evil sorcerer, the warrior Ruslan will have to go on an epic and dangerous journey, encountering many fantastic and terrible creatures. This is a dramatic and witty retelling of Russian folklore.
50. $
The most famous play describes a family of aristocrats who have difficulty finding any meaning in their lives. Three sisters and their brother live in a remote province, but they struggle to return to the sophisticated Moscow where they grew up. The play captures the decline of the “masters of life.”
51. $
The hero is obsessed with an all-consuming love for one princess, who is unlikely to know about his existence. One day socialite receives an expensive bracelet for his birthday. The husband finds a secret admirer and asks him to stop compromising a decent woman.
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In this classic literary representation gambling the author explores the nature of obsession. Secret and otherworldly clues alternate with the story of the passionate Herman, who wants to make his fortune at the card table. The secret of success is known to one old woman.
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Muscovite Gurov is married and has a daughter and two sons. However, he is not happy in family life and often cheats on his wife. While vacationing in Yalta, he sees a young lady walking along the embankment with her small dog, and is constantly looking for opportunities to get to know her.
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This collection is in some ways the culmination of the work he did throughout his life. The stories were written on the eve of a terrible world war in the context of collapsing Russian culture. The action of each work concentrates on a love theme.
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The story is told from the point of view of an anonymous narrator who recalls his youth, in particular his time in a small town west of the Rhine. Critics consider the hero a classic " extra person- indecisive and undecided about their place in life.
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Four laconic plays, later known as "Little Tragedies", were written at the time of the rise creative forces, and their influence is difficult to overestimate. Being the author's adaptation of plays by Western European authors, "Tragedies" offers readers current problems.
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This story takes place in Europe, in a hedonistic society during the Roaring Twenties. A rich girl with schizophrenia falls in love with her psychiatrist. As a result, a whole saga unfolds about troubled marriages, love affairs, duels and incest.
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Some scholars identify three poems in the work of this author, which embody one original idea. One of them is, of course, “Mtsyri”. The main character is a 17-year-old monk who was forcibly taken from his village as a child, and one day he escapes.
59. $
A completely young mongrel runs away from his permanent owner and finds a new one. He turns out to be an artist who performs in a circus with acts in which animals participate. Therefore, a separate number is immediately invented for the smart little dog.
60. $
In this story, among its many themes, such as Europeanized Russian society, adultery and provincial life, the theme of a woman comes to the fore, or rather, the planning of a murder by a woman. The title of the work contains a reference to Shakespeare's play.
61. Leo Tolstoy - Fake coupon
Schoolboy Mitya desperately needs money - he needs to repay his debt. Depressed by this situation, he follows the evil advice of his friend, who showed him how to change the denomination of a banknote. This act sets off a chain of events that affects the lives of dozens of other people.
62.
Proust's most important work, known for its length and theme of involuntary memories. The novel began to take shape back in 1909. The author continued to work on it until his last illness which forced him to stop working.
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The lengthy poem tells the story of seven peasants who set out to ask various groups of the village population if they were happy. But wherever they went, they were always given an unsatisfactory answer. Of the planned 7-8 parts, the author wrote only half.
64. $
The story is about the sad life of a young girl who lived in extreme poverty and suddenly became an orphan, but she is adopted by a rich family. When she meets her new stepsister, Katya, she instantly falls in love with her and the two soon become inseparable.
65. $
The main character is a classic Hemingway hero: a violent guy, an underground liquor dealer who smuggles weapons and transports people from Cuba to the Florida Keys. He risks his life, dodges the Coast Guard's bullets and manages to outsmart them.
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While traveling on a train, one of the passengers overhears a conversation going on in the compartment. When one woman argues that marriage should be based on true love, he asks her: what is love? In his opinion, love quickly turns into hatred, and tells its own story.
67. Leo Tolstoy - Notes of a Marker
The narrator is a simple marker, a person who keeps score and places the balls on the billiard table. If the game turns out well and the players are not stingy, then he gets a good reward. But one day a very gambling young man appears at the club.
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The main character is looking for peace in Polesie, which should invigorate him. But in the end he ends up with unbearable boredom. But one day, having lost his way, he comes across a hut where an old woman and her beautiful granddaughter are waiting for him. After this magical meeting, the hero becomes a frequent visitor here.
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The focus is on a tall and powerfully built janitor. He falls in love with a young washerwoman and wants to marry her. But the lady decides differently: the girl goes to the always drunk shoemaker. The hero finds his solace in caring for a small dog.
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One evening, three sisters shared their dreams with each other: what they would do if they became the wives of the king. But only the third sister’s pleas were heard - Tsar Saltan took her in marriage and ordered her to give birth to an heir by a certain date. But envious sisters begin to play dirty tricks.
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The most recognized classic literature - a list of the best books. World foreign and Russian classics. Highly recommended. 😉
Sylvia Plath. Under a glass cover
Esther Greenwood is invited to New York for an internship at a women's fashion magazine. She goes there, determined to conquer the city and become a writer. But behind the magnificent scenes hides an indifferent society and difficulties adult life. Esther loses control of herself and is overcome by depression and loneliness. Further
Ken Kesey. Over the cuckoo's nest
The work, which describes harsh and extremely honest images of the points of contact between common sense and madness, brought Ken Kesey the title of the most talented writer. At the time of its appearance, the novel was popular among representatives of the beat movement and hippies, but even today it has not lost its relevance. Further
William Somerset Maugham. Theater
What does the book hide in itself? An elegant and sarcastic narrative by an incomparable, witty actress who is going through a midlife crisis while dating a young thief of women's hearts? Vanity stories of the roaring twenties? Or is this an exciting romance for all times? One thing is for sure, “Theatre” will appeal to even the most fastidious reader. Further
This book will be an assistant for schoolchildren of all ages. With it, neither children nor parents will have to spend a lot of their time searching for a specific work: the collection already contains large number necessary literature that teachers advise you to read. Further
The main character, who is a bank employee, is suddenly arrested on the day he turns 30. But he is not taken into custody, and he takes advantage of this to try to figure out what he did wrong. In this process, he becomes more and more immersed in the judicial world. Will the hero be able to figure out what the accusation is? Further
Kerouac became famous all over the world thanks to his work On the Road, although the attitude towards him different people it was very controversial. The novel, in a very unusual, non-linear way, tells the story of the plight and suffering of one generation of people, and in the center of attention is Dean, a witty man who loves drink and women. Further
Famous novel in Polish classics, written in historical genre. Events take place in the mid-16th century. Then the Swedes were eager to conquer Poland. But the Poles also caused confusion among their people: some went over to the side of their enemies, others tried with all their might to defend their land. And in the center of events are the adventures of a couple in love. Further
A novel that will be relevant at all times. The book touches on themes of religion and philosophy, which are perfectly revealed in an ideally constructed plot: the actions of each hero carry within them makes a lot of sense. In this work, the author showed how one can avoid immorality in society. Further
The original opposite of the well-known dystopia “Wonderful World”. What's worse for people? A consumerist society driven to the point of meaninglessness? Or a society with a predominance of ideas, which led to ideal perfection? Orwell believes that the worst thing is the massive loss of freedom. Further
The book tells the story of generations of the Buendia family. Events during the war, forbidden love between family members, the appearance of new people, magic - all this can be found in the work of Marquez. The novel involves the reader in the feelings of each character: his experiences and loneliness are acutely felt. Further
The tragedies of people in wartime, the problems of the lost generation. This book will reveal the range of all feelings from love to betrayal. The heroes of the novel are three friends who are united by the front; their feelings, thoughts about the past, desires and dreams are described. This work is for those who want to immerse themselves in the life of the last century. Further
The book that laid the foundation for the culture of European postmodernism. It can be perceived in different ways: a masterpiece of avant-garde novel written in the style of surrealist philosophy, or, on the contrary, a masterpiece philosophical story, written in the style of a novel with surrealism. Further
The busy life of the 20s of the last century, when it was popular to throw luxurious parties, when people were confident that they would find happiness only after achieving great heights of power and wealth. And Gatsby, who fruitlessly chased the dream of love, had all of this. Further
The boys, who had only recently graduated from school and had not yet had time to experience adult life, found themselves in a war that spares no one, together with their teacher. Young men try to find joy in the most ordinary things, in things that they never paid attention to before, because every day could be their last. Further
Events take place in a sanatorium where there are people suffering from tuberculosis. I feel acutely cut off from the rest of the world, with which I can occasionally communicate via mail. Here no one is afraid of death anymore, everyone desperately clings to the slightest manifestations of relationships between people, this helps not to go crazy. Further
A masterpiece of literature that will never lose its relevance: people of all times will read this book with great pleasure. Jane Austen was the first to show that the novel could be a serious genre without the superficiality of its plot. With this she won everyone's love. Further
A book that takes you headlong into the story of the plight of two brothers and a sister who begin to live separate lives after their father dies. Everyone along the way encounters many obstacles that prevent them from finally achieving their dreams. The work teaches you to find happiness in what you already have, but have not yet learned to appreciate. Further
Hugo writes about how people who are not accepted by society live. For example, a man who was sentenced to 20 years because he was caught stealing bread because his poor family was starving; or the boy who lived on the street. The novel touches on themes of crime, police, politics and the church. Further
At the time of the first submission of the novel, books were subject to strict censorship; the publication of forbidden topics could not be allowed, therefore this work was cut by almost a third. This version of the book is compiled from all materials that were found in the archive; it is the first complete edition that you can read. Further
An excellently written work that was awarded a film adaptation. But if you want to feel the whole gamut of emotions and be completely immersed in a deep story about the crazy, unrequited love of a beautiful paralyzed girl for a soldier, then you should read this novel by Zweig. Further
It was the world's most popular classic literature - a list of the best books. Not everyone here is Russian and foreign classics, but if you have favorite works, write about them in the comments and we will add them to the list. 😉
Domestic fiction has always been characterized by its focus on displaying inner world heroes. This is main feature creativity of Russian writers. The ability to depict the morals of characters in such a way that the reader has a vivid emotional response is admired by many critics of past centuries and today. Descriptions of mental contradictions, overcoming obstacles of a moral nature, attempts to find the right solution in situations where personal needs are in confrontation with public ideas about duty and decency, the search for one’s own path - all this the best Russian books hide behind their bindings and covers. This current review contains works that have played a significant role in the personal development of more than one generation. Nontrivial plots, memorable characters who have become symbols of eras, elements of merciless sarcasm and sad irony are perceived by readers differently, but even those who are not accustomed to absorbing the meaning of printed lines with every cell of an open heart do not remain indifferent. So, top 10 best Russian books of all times.
10. Two captains, Veniamin Kaverin
Written by the Soviet prose writer Veniamin Kaverin, during the author’s lifetime this novel brought the creator the highest literary award of that time in the USSR - Stalin Prize. Inspired by the spirit of patriotic heroism and adventurous adventures, the work tells the story of the amazing intersection of the destinies of two worthy people of the era. The dangerous expedition of Captain Tatarinov to the northern shores haunted Sanka Grigoriev from early childhood. Having matured, the young man decides to repeat the route of the brave navigator. On this difficult path, many unexpected meetings and discoveries await him, as well as the opportunity to find love and discover qualities in himself, the presence of which in other circumstances is difficult to guess. Some heroes of history have real prototypes. Expedition to the region eternal ice described with the reliability with which it is possible to interpret the circumstances described in the diaries of members of the team of Arctic explorers Brusilov and Sedov.
9. Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky
Included in school curriculum, philosophical novel The great Russian classic F. M. Dostoevsky undoubtedly provides much more reasons for reflection than the minds of high school students are able to grasp. However, the work can influence the formation of their internal views and beliefs, become a motivating phenomenon for the desire to form their own opinion and tell others about it. The question of whether a person has the right to dispose of someone else’s life (even in the context of subsequent good deeds) is one of eternal relevance. The main character is a student who has overcome the threshold of poverty and is steadily striving towards the social abyss, towards poverty. Desperation leads him to the idea of getting money by committing murder. Justifying his action, Raskolnikov convinces himself that the future victim is an unworthy person, and her means will help many more noble people improve life. Does the hero have any reason to reason in this way when his main opponent is his own conscience? In this inevitable dialogue, there are obviously losers, but the outcome becomes known only after a fatal decision is made.
8. Dead Souls, Nikolai Gogol
The work, conceived by the author in the format of three volumes, has a genre definition that is unusual for a prosaic text. Gogol called his epistolary work a poem and presented it to the world in 1842. Masterfully using the technique of generalization where appropriate, the author managed to create an encyclopedic collection of characters from representatives of various social strata of the mid-nineteenth century. At the center of the presentation is the adventurer Chichikov. He accumulates around himself people who embody vivid and eloquent images of landowners, noble or ruined. The task of the visiting guest is to acquire serfs who, according to documents, are listed as deceased. What caused this interest, and which souls are actually long dead? The immortal literary classic and one of the best Russian books appears as a field for limitless knowledge in the ephemeral sphere of human passions.
7. Amphibian Man, Alexander Belyaev
“Amphibian Man” is one of the best Russian science fiction books, which gained enormous popularity among readers of Soviet society and remained the standard of the corresponding genre in modern world. It is based on the amazing experiment of Dr. Salvator. Having initially noble goals of saving the life of a dying child, surgical experience led to the appearance of a person with unique ability breathe underwater. The sea has become Ichthyander’s native element, but insidious people decide to use the hero’s capabilities to their advantage. Love line fits organically into the plot and adds sensuality to the narrative, provokes empathy. The struggle for life and love, merged into a single powerful reason to resist evil, prompted talented Soviet directors create artistic painting, which attracted a record number of viewers for that time.
6. Heart of a Dog, Mikhail Bulgakov
A vivid personification of the essence of socialist society, which was formed in the 20s of the last century. He had an amazing ability to embody the spirit of the era in the characters of literary heroes. brilliant writer Mikhail Bulgakov. His hero, Professor Preobrazhensky, demonstrates the unusual revolutionary nature of scientific ideas, constantly performing extraordinary surgical operations. Their action is aimed at obtaining results that mark unprecedented progress in medicine. The next job is to transplant the pituitary gland of a deceased person into a dog. To the surprise of the genius himself, the object not only survives, but also amazingly finds a place in the new society. Taking on the features of a real activist, the new Sharik, named according to the documents as Poligraf Poligrafovich, has no respect for the creator, tries to force him out of his personal apartments, writes slander, and makes provocative indecent speeches in public. These manifestations of character help the hero obtain the position of chief in the structure for the fight against those to whom Sharikov himself only recently belonged, namely, stray dogs. Only the professor can harness time again and correct the mistake that soon begins to threaten his life and well-being. But how is this possible?
5. Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky
In the middle of the ranking of the best Russian books is The Brothers Karamazov. The work can be safely assessed as a successful attempt to reconsider, understand and evaluate moral religious values through the prism of relationships between members of an individual family. Dostoevsky again staged a provocative experiment on human self-awareness, clearly depicting the serious struggle within the souls of each of the three brothers and their father. The novel is complex, but the insane interest in it arises due to the interweaving of the psychological aspects of the individual and the external religious instructions to which she is exposed. The final point is self-acceptance and finding God within, and not subconsciously forced humility. But which of the brothers will be able to achieve this knowledge before their sins become irreversible, and how useful will it be to them? An expert in mental torment, Fyodor Mikhailovich created Mitya, Alyosha, Ivan and Fyodor Karamazov on the pages of the novel in such a way that the possibility of them real existence will not raise doubts.
4. White Guard, Mikhail Bulgakov
There is nothing more destructive for a country than war within its borders. An open armed struggle between the inhabitants of a once united state affects the life of every citizen, forcing him to make a choice for which it is impossible to be prepared. The civil war finds the intelligent Turbin family in Kyiv. The heroes witness how familiar reality changes daily, requiring them to take active action at every step. Some people prefer to resign themselves and passively watch as everything that was once of great value turns into dust and dirt underfoot. Others dare to enter into confrontation and defend in any way the right to life, love, the natural manifestation of justice and freedom.
3. War and Peace, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
A grandiose epic, embodying interesting biographies of entire family clans and chronicles of the events of the war with Napoleon, opens the top three best Russian books. The four volumes are an impressive panorama that sweeps before the reader in a bright whirlwind of extraordinary destinies. Bezukhovs, Kuragins, Rostovs, Bolkonskys - these surnames became household names and excluded oblivion for their representatives, thanks to the novel by Leo Tolstoy. The character of each character is drawn so carefully that it is very difficult to remain indifferent to the events of his life. The circumstances in which the author places the characters remain in the memory and acquire common characteristics. What is worth the scene where Prince Bolkonsky is lost in thought by the old oak tree! Tolstoy masterfully shows the evolution of the human soul against the background of external objective metamorphoses. Total time of the described actions is approaching 15 years. Only the epilogue will make you understand the scale of influence of this period on the heroes, and what you read - on the reader.
2. Quiet Don, Mikhail Sholokhov
The beginning of the last century was marked for Russia by a number of political and social cataclysms, which became fateful trials for people of all faiths and social statuses. The characters in Sholokhov's novel are Don Cossacks. During the war of 1914-1918 and subsequent civil armed conflicts, during the formation period new government and radical changes in the foundations of the state structure main character epic named Grigory Melekhov is tormented by the need to make a moral and factual choice. The novel contains a sharp political line, created on the basis of Gregory’s definition in relation to the established power structures, and a lyrical one. Melekhov finds himself married to a girl he does not love, and happiness with the desired Aksinya seems to be elusive. Time passes, the hero is forced to put up with the consequences of his own decisions, the significance of which he failed to properly assess in time. A powerful impact on the reader is due to the talented description of the steppe landscapes, which allows us to better understand the true loneliness and suffering from the losses of the main character. A worthy second place in the list of the best books by Russian writers.
1. The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov
Topping our small list of the best Russian books is The Master and Margarita. Everything is mixed up in this literary masterpiece: past and present, religion and aggressive atheism, the devilish and the sinless, vices and ideals, genius and mediocrity, love and base manifestations of passions. Bulgakov worked on the novel until the end of his life. earthly path. The version of the work available to the public was released due to the efforts and painstaking work of the writer’s wife. The theme of the capital of the Russian state of the 30s of the twentieth century reveals the catastrophic wormholes in the hearts of its inhabitants. The leitmotif of the confrontation between the worldviews of the Fifth Procurator of Judea and one of those condemned to death by him forces one to mentally touch eternity and feel its frightening constancy. An absorbing story of sensual affection, captivating elements of mysticism, capacious quotes that remain relevant, encourage you to read the novel to the last line and absorb the meaning of every word, chosen with amazing precision.
Valuable treasures epistolary genre are the best Russian books described. Numerous film adaptations of classic stories are the work of not only Russian directors, but also foreign ones. The popularity of Russian classics among representatives of the foreign cultural community is explained by constant efforts to understand and explain the motives of the secretive and therefore mysterious soul of the Russian person. Domestic readers can only be proud and admire such a rich, inspiring and amazing literary heritage.
