Suggest me a book by one of the great Russian writers.
Despite being an avid reader, I’ve never read any of the famous books by the great Russian writers (Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Nabokov, etc.). Looking for recommendations for a first read.
>An audacious revision of the stories of Faust and Pontius Pilate, The Master and Margarita is recognized as one of the essential classics of modern Russian literature. The novel’s vision of Soviet life in the 1930s is so ferociously accurate that it could not be published during its author’s lifetime and appeared only in a censored edition in the 1960s. Its truths are so enduring that its language has become part of the common Russian speech.
>One hot spring, the devil arrives in Moscow, accompanied by a retinue that includes a beautiful naked witch and an immense talking black cat with a fondness for chess and vodka. The visitors quickly wreak havoc in a city that refuses to believe in either God or Satan. But they also bring peace to two unhappy Muscovites: one is the Master, a writer pilloried for daring to write a novel about Christ and Pontius Pilate; the other is Margarita, who loves the Master so deeply that she is willing literally to go to hell for him. What ensues is a novel of inexhaustible energy, humor, and philosophical depth
gros-grognon on
Fathers & Sons, by Ivan Turgenev, is beautiful.
Gogol’s Dead Souls is an amazing piece.
Anna Karenina is one of my favourite novels, period.
You can’t go wrong with a collection of Chekhov’s short stories; they’re among the best ever written.
chops_potatoes on
I just listened to the Anna Karenina audiobook and it is a wonderful story. A tip though – some scenes do ramble with political and philosophical discussions. You can skim those if you like, without losing the thread of the main plot. Tolstoy’s representation of women and his portrayal of human sensitivity is remarkable.
PolyBluePicnic on
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky is brilliant, thought-provoking sci-fi. In addition to the book, I was fascinated by the Strugatsky’s struggled to get it published and censorship due to the politics around Russian literature at the time.
bawdyhouseoffun on
The Brothers Karamazov is my favorite.
puehlong on
War and peace is brillant if you enjoy historic fiction. Oblomov is a great story if you have problems with procrastination.
minetmine on
Can’t believe no ones mentioned Dr. Zhivago. It was a real page turner for me.
9 Comments
Professor Dowell’s Head by Alexander Belyaev
*Anna Karenina* is a legitimately enjoyable book
The Master and Margarita
>An audacious revision of the stories of Faust and Pontius Pilate, The Master and Margarita is recognized as one of the essential classics of modern Russian literature. The novel’s vision of Soviet life in the 1930s is so ferociously accurate that it could not be published during its author’s lifetime and appeared only in a censored edition in the 1960s. Its truths are so enduring that its language has become part of the common Russian speech.
>One hot spring, the devil arrives in Moscow, accompanied by a retinue that includes a beautiful naked witch and an immense talking black cat with a fondness for chess and vodka. The visitors quickly wreak havoc in a city that refuses to believe in either God or Satan. But they also bring peace to two unhappy Muscovites: one is the Master, a writer pilloried for daring to write a novel about Christ and Pontius Pilate; the other is Margarita, who loves the Master so deeply that she is willing literally to go to hell for him. What ensues is a novel of inexhaustible energy, humor, and philosophical depth
Fathers & Sons, by Ivan Turgenev, is beautiful.
Gogol’s Dead Souls is an amazing piece.
Anna Karenina is one of my favourite novels, period.
You can’t go wrong with a collection of Chekhov’s short stories; they’re among the best ever written.
I just listened to the Anna Karenina audiobook and it is a wonderful story. A tip though – some scenes do ramble with political and philosophical discussions. You can skim those if you like, without losing the thread of the main plot. Tolstoy’s representation of women and his portrayal of human sensitivity is remarkable.
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky is brilliant, thought-provoking sci-fi. In addition to the book, I was fascinated by the Strugatsky’s struggled to get it published and censorship due to the politics around Russian literature at the time.
The Brothers Karamazov is my favorite.
War and peace is brillant if you enjoy historic fiction. Oblomov is a great story if you have problems with procrastination.
Can’t believe no ones mentioned Dr. Zhivago. It was a real page turner for me.