(Russian) is a broad concept, and everyone puts their own meaning into it. If you ask readers what associations it evokes in them, then the answers will be different. For some, this is the basis of the library fund, someone will say that the works of classical Russian literature are a kind of sample with high artistic merit. For schoolchildren, this is everything that is studied at school. And they will all be absolutely right in their own way. So what exactly is classical literature? Russian literature, today we will talk only about it. We will talk about it in another article.

Russian literature

There is a generally accepted periodization of the formation and development of Russian literature. Its history is divided into the following time periods:

What works are called classics?

Many readers are sure that classical literature (Russian) is Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy - that is, the works of those writers who lived in the 19th century. It's not like that at all. The era of the Middle Ages and the 20th century can be classical. By what canons and principles to determine whether a novel or a story is a classic? Firstly, a classical work must have a high artistic value, be a model for others. Secondly, it must have worldwide recognition, it must be included in the fund of world culture.

And you need to be able to distinguish between the concepts of classical and popular literature. A classic is something that has stood the test of time, and a popular work can be quickly forgotten. If its relevance continues for more than a dozen years, perhaps it will eventually become a classic as well.

Origins of Russian classical literature

At the end of the 18th century, the newly formed nobility of Russia split into two opposing camps: conservatives and reformers. Such a split was due to a different attitude towards the changes that took place in life: Peter's reforms, understanding of the tasks of the Enlightenment, the sore peasant question, attitude towards power. This struggle of extremes led to the rise of spirituality, self-consciousness, which gave rise to Russian classics. We can say that it was forged in the course of dramatic processes in the country.

Classical literature (Russian), having been born in the complex and contradictory 18th century, was finally formed in the 19th century. Its main features are: national identity, maturity, self-awareness.

Russian classical literature of the 19th century

The growth of national consciousness played an important role in the development of the culture of that time. More and more educational institutions are being opened, the social significance of literature is increasing, and writers are beginning to pay much attention to their native language. even more made me think about what is happening in the country.

Karamzin's influence on the development of 19th century literature

Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, the greatest Russian historian, writer and journalist, was the most influential figure in Russian culture of the 18th-19th centuries. His historical novels and the monumental "History of the Russian State" had a huge impact on the work of subsequent writers and poets: Zhukovsky, Pushkin, Griboedov. He is one of the great reformers of the Russian language. Karamzin introduced a large number of new words into use, without which we cannot imagine modern speech today.

Russian classical literature: a list of the best works

Selecting and compiling a list of the best literary works is a difficult task, since each reader has his own preferences and tastes. A novel that for one will be a masterpiece, another will seem boring and uninteresting. How, then, to compile a list of classical Russian literature that would satisfy the majority of readers? One way is to conduct surveys. On their basis, it is possible to draw conclusions about which work the readers themselves consider the best of the proposed options. These data collection methods are carried out regularly, although the data may vary slightly over time.

The list of the best creations of Russian classics, according to the versions of literary magazines and Internet portals, looks like this:

In no case should this list be considered a reference. In some ratings and polls, not Bulgakov, but Leo Tolstoy or Alexander Pushkin may be in the first place, and some of the writers listed may not exist at all. Ratings are extremely subjective. It is better to make a list of your favorite classics for yourself and focus on it.

The Importance of Russian Classical Literature

The creators of Russian classics have always had a great social responsibility. They never acted as moralizers, did not give ready-made answers in their works. Writers set a difficult task for the reader and forced him to think about its solution. They raised serious social and social problems in their works, which are of great importance to us even now. Therefore, Russian classics remain as relevant today.

Aksakov Ivan Sergeevich (1823-1886)- Poet and essayist. One of the leaders of Russian Slavophiles.

Aksakov Konstantin Sergeevich (1817-1860) Poet, literary critic, linguist, historian. Inspirer and ideologist of Slavophilism.

Aksakov Sergei Timofeevich (1791-1859) is a writer and public figure, literary and theater critic. Wrote a book about fishing and hunting. Father of writers Konstantin and Ivan Aksakov. The most famous work: the fairy tale "The Scarlet Flower".

Annensky Innokenty Fedorovich (1855-1909)- poet, playwright, literary critic, linguist, translator. Author of plays: "King Ixion", "Laodamia", "Melanippa the Philosopher", "Famira Kefared".

Baratynsky Evgeny Abramovich (1800-1844)- Poet and translator. Author of poems: "Eda", "Feasts", "Ball", "Concubine" ("Gypsy").

Batyushkov Konstantin Nikolaevich (1787-1855)- a poet. Also the author of a number of well-known prose articles: "On the character of Lomonosov", "Evening at Kantemir" and others.

Belinsky Vissarion Grigorievich (1811-1848)- Literary critic. He headed the critical department in the publication "Domestic Notes". Author of numerous critical articles. He had a great influence on Russian literature.

Bestuzhev-Marlinsky Alexander Alexandrovich (1797-1837) Byronist writer and literary critic. Published under the pseudonym Marlinsky. Published the almanac "Polar Star". He was one of the Decembrists. Author of prose: "Test", "Terrible fortune-telling", "Frigate Hope" and others.

Vyazemsky Petr Andreevich (1792-1878) Poet, memoirist, historian, literary critic. One of the founders and the first head of the Russian Historical Society. Close friend of Pushkin.

Venevetinov Dmitry Vladimirovich (1805-1827)- poet, prose writer, philosopher, translator, literary critic Author 50 poems. He was also known as an artist and musician. Organizer of the secret philosophical association "Society of Philosophy".

Herzen Alexander Ivanovich (1812-1870) writer, philosopher, teacher. The most famous works: the novel “Who is to blame?”, the stories “Doctor Krupov”, “The Magpie-Thief”, “Damaged”.

Glinka Sergei Nikolaevich (1776-1847) Writer, memoirist, historian. The ideological inspirer of conservative nationalism. Author of the following works: "Selim and Roxana", "Virtue of Women" and others.

Glinka Fedor Nikolaevich (1876-1880)- Poet and writer. Member of the Decembrist Society. The most famous works: the poems "Karelia" and "The Mysterious Drop".

Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich (1809-1852)- Writer, playwright, poet, literary critic. Classic of Russian literature. Author of Dead Souls, the cycle of stories Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka, the stories The Overcoat and Viy, the plays The Inspector General and The Marriage, and many other works.

Goncharov Ivan Alexandrovich (1812-1891)- writer, literary critic Author of the novels: "Oblomov", "Cliff", "Ordinary History".

Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich (1795-1829) Poet, playwright and composer. He was a diplomat, died in the service in Persia. The most famous work is the poem "Woe from Wit", which served as the source of many catchphrases.

Grigorovich Dmitry Vasilyevich (1822-1900)- writer.

Davydov Denis Vasilyevich (1784-1839)- Poet, memoirist Hero of the Patriotic War 1812 of the year. Author of numerous poems and military memoirs.

Dal Vladimir Ivanovich (1801-1872)- Writer and ethnographer. Being a military doctor, he collected folklore along the way. The most famous literary work is the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language. Dahl scurried over the dictionary more 50 years.

Delvig Anton Antonovich (1798-1831)- Poet, publisher

Dobrolyubov Nikolai Alexandrovich (1836-1861)- Literary critic and poet. Published under pseudonyms -bov and N. Laibov. Author of numerous critical and philosophical articles.

Dostoevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich (1821-1881)- writer and philosopher Recognized classic of Russian literature. Author of works: "The Brothers Karamazov", "Idiot", "Crime and Punishment", "Teenager" and many others.

Zhemchuzhnikov Alexander Mikhailovich (1826-1896)

Zhemchuzhnikov Alexey Mikhailovich (1821-1908)- Poet and satirist. Together with his brothers and writer Tolstoy A.K. created the image of Kozma Prutkov. Author of the comedy "Strange Night" and the collection of poems "Songs of Old Age".

Zhemchuzhnikov Vladimir Mikhailovich (1830-1884)- a poet. Together with his brothers and writer Tolstoy A.K. created the image of Kozma Prutkov.

Zhukovsky Vasily Andreevich (1783-1852)- poet, literary critic, translator, founder of Russian romanticism.

Zagoskin Mikhail Nikolaevich (1789-1852)- Writer and playwright Author of the first Russian historical novels. Author of the works "Prankster", "Yuri Miloslavsky, or Russians in 1612 year”, “Kulma Petrovich Miroshev” and others.

Karamzin Nikolai Mikhailovich (1766-1826) historian, writer and poet. Author of the monumental work "History of the Russian State" in 12 volumes. His pen belongs to the story: "Poor Lisa", "Eugene and Julia" and many others.

Kireevsky Ivan Vasilyevich (1806-1856)- religious philosopher, literary critic, Slavophile.

Krylov Ivan Andreevich (1769-1844)- Poet and fabulist. Author 236 fables, many expressions of which have become winged. He published magazines: "Mail of Spirits", "Spectator", "Mercury".

Kuchelbecker Wilhelm Karlovich (1797-1846)- a poet. He was one of the Decembrists. Close friend of Pushkin. Author of works: "The Argives", "The Death of Byron", "The Eternal Jew".

Lazhechnikov Ivan Ivanovich (1792-1869)- writer, one of the founders of the Russian historical novel. Author of the novels "Ice House" and "Basurman".

Lermontov Mikhail Yurievich (1814-1841)- poet, writer, playwright, artist. Classic of Russian literature. The most famous works: the novel "A Hero of Our Time", the story "Prisoner of the Caucasus", the poems "Mtsyri" and "Masquerade".

Leskov Nikolai Semenovich (1831-1895)- writer. The most famous works: "Lefty", "Cathedrals", "On Knives", "Righteous".

Nekrasov Nikolai Alekseevich (1821-1878)- Poet and writer. Classic of Russian literature. Head of the Sovremennik magazine, editor of the Domestic Notes magazine. The most famous works are: “Who should live well in Russia”, “Russian women”, “Frost, Red nose”.

Ogarev Nikolai Platonovich (1813-1877)- a poet. Author of poems, poems, critical articles.

Odoevsky Alexander Ivanovich (1802-1839)- Poet and writer. He was one of the Decembrists. The author of the poem "Vasilko", the poems "Zosima" and "The Elder-Prophet".

Odoevsky Vladimirovich Fedorovich (1804-1869)- Writer, thinker, one of the creators of musicology. He wrote fantastic and utopian works. Author of the novel "Year 4338", numerous stories.

Ostrovsky Alexander Nikolaevich (1823-1886)- playwright. Classic of Russian literature. Author of plays: "Thunderstorm", "Dowry", "Balzaminov's Marriage" and many others.

Panaev Ivan Ivanovich (1812-1862) Writer, literary critic, journalist. Author of works: "Mama's Boy", "Meeting at the Station", "Lions of the Province" and others.

Pisarev Dmitry Ivanovich (1840-1868)- Literary critic of the sixties, translator. Many of Pisarev's articles were dismantled into aphorisms.

Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich (1799-1837)- Poet, writer, playwright. Classic of Russian literature. Author: poems "Poltava" and "Eugene Onegin", the story "The Captain's Daughter", a collection of stories "Tales of Belkin" and numerous poems. He founded the literary magazine Sovremennik.

Raevsky Vladimir Fedoseevich (1795-1872)- a poet. Member of the Patriotic War 1812 of the year. He was one of the Decembrists.

Ryleev Kondraty Fedorovich (1795-1826) - poet. He was one of the Decembrists. Author of the historical poetic cycle "Duma". He published the literary almanac "Polar Star".

Saltykov-Shchedrin Mikhail Efgrafovich (1826-1889)- writer, journalist Classic of Russian literature. The most famous works: "Gentlemen Golovlevs", "The Wise Gudgeon", "Poshekhonskaya Antiquity". He was the editor of the journal "Domestic Notes".

Samarin Yuriy Fedorovich (1819-1876) publicist and philosopher.

Sukhovo-Kobylin Alexander Vasilyevich (1817-1903) playwright, philosopher, translator. Author of plays: "Krechinsky's Wedding", "Deed", "Death of Tarelkin".

Tolstoy Alexey Konstantinovich (1817-1875)- Writer, poet, playwright Author of the poems: "The Sinner", "The Alchemist", the plays "Fantasy", "Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich", the stories "Ghoul" and "Wolf Foster". Together with the Zhemchuzhnikov brothers, he created the image of Kozma Prutkov.

Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich (1828-1910)- writer, thinker, educator. Classic of Russian literature. Served in the artillery. Participated in the defense of Sevastopol. The most famous works: "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", "Resurrection". AT 1901 year was excommunicated from the church.

Turgenev Ivan Sergeevich (1818-1883)- Writer, poet, playwright Classic of Russian literature. The most famous works: "Mumu", "Asya", "Noble Nest", "Fathers and Sons".

Tyutchev Fedor Ivanovich (1803-1873)- a poet. Classic of Russian literature.

Fet Afanasy Afanasyevich (1820-1892)- lyric poet, memoirist, translator. Classic of Russian literature. Author of numerous romantic poems. He translated Juvenal, Goethe, Catullus.

Khomyakov Alexey Stepanovich (1804-1860) Poet, philosopher, theologian, artist.

Chernyshevsky Nikolai Gavrilovich (1828-1889) Writer, philosopher, literary critic. Author of the novels What Is to Be Done? and "Prologue", as well as the stories "Alferyev", "Small stories".

Chekhov Anton Pavlovich (1860-1904)- writer, playwright Classic of Russian literature. Author of the plays "The Cherry Orchard", "Three Sisters", "Uncle Vanya" and numerous stories. Conducted a population census on Sakhalin Island.

Russian classics are well known to foreign readers. And what modern authors managed to win the hearts of a foreign audience? Liebs compiled a list of the most famous contemporary Russian writers in the West and their most popular books.

16. Nikolay Lilin Siberian Education: Growing Up in a Criminal Underworld

Opens our rating greedy cranberry . Strictly speaking, "Siberian Education" is not a novel by a Russian author, but by a Russian-speaking one, but this is not the most serious complaint against him. In 2013, this book was filmed by the Italian director Gabriele Salvatores, the main role in the film was played by John Malkovich himself. And thanks to a bad film with a good actor, the book of Nikolai Lilin, a dreamer-tattoo artist from Bendery, who moved to Italy, did not rest in Bose, but entered the annals of history.

Are there Siberians among the readers? Get your hands ready for the facepalms! "Siberian Education" tells about the Urks: an ancient clan of harsh, but noble and pious people, exiled by Stalin from Siberia to Transnistria, but not broken. The lesson has its own laws and strange beliefs. For example, it is impossible to store noble weapons (for hunting) and sinful ones (for business) in the same room, otherwise the noble weapon will be "infected". The infected cannot be used, so as not to bring misfortune to the family. The infected weapon should be wrapped in a sheet on which the newborn baby was lying, and buried, and a tree should be planted on top. Urks always come to the aid of the destitute and weak, they themselves live modestly, they buy icons with the stolen money.

Nikolai Lilin was presented to readers as a "hereditary Siberian Urka", which, as it were, hints at the autobiographical nature of the immortal. Several literary critics and Irvine Welsh himself praised the novel: "It's hard not to admire the people who opposed the tsar, the Soviets, Western materialistic values. If the values ​​of the lesson were common to all, the world would not be faced with an economic crisis generated by greed." Wow!

But it was not possible to deceive all readers. For some time, foreigners who pecked at the exotic bought the novel, but when they discovered that the facts described in it were fabricated, they lost interest in the book. Here is one of the reviews on the book site: “After the first chapter, I was disappointed to realize that this is an unreliable source of information about the Eastern European underworld. In fact, “urka” is a Russian term for “bandit”, and not a definition of an ethnic group. And this is just the beginning of a series of incoherent, nonsensical fabrications. I wouldn't mind fiction if the story were good, but I don't even know what irritates me more in the book: the narrator's flatness and mary-ness or his amateurish style."

15. Sergey Kuznetsov ,

Psychological thriller Kuznetsov "" was presented in the West as "Russia's answer to" "". A cocktail of death, journalism, hype and BDSM, some book bloggers hastened to include, no less, in the top ten serial killer novels of all time! Readers also noted that through this book they got acquainted with Moscow life, although the conversations of the characters about political parties, about certain events were not always clear: "Cultural differences immediately distinguish this book and make it refreshing to a certain extent."

And the novel was criticized for the fact that the scenes of violence were presented through the killer's stories about what had already happened: "You are not with the victim, you do not hope to escape, and this reduces tension. Your heart does not flutter, you do not wonder what will happen next." "A strong start for inventive horror, but clever storytelling gets boring."

14. ,

With all the book publishing activity of Yevgeny Nikolaevich / Zakhar Prilepin in his homeland, he seems to be little concerned about translating his books into other languages. "", "" - that, perhaps, is all that can be found right now in bookstores in the West. "Sankya", by the way, with a foreword by Alexei Navalny. Prilepin's work draws attention from foreign audiences, but reviews are mixed: "The book is well written and engaging, but suffers from the writer's general post-Soviet uncertainty about what he is trying to say. Confusion about the future, confused views of the past, and a widespread lack of understanding of what is happening in life today are typical problems. Worth reading, but don't expect to get too much out of the book."

13. , (The Sublime Electricity Book #1)

Recently, a Chelyabinsk writer published good news on his personal website: his books "" and "" were republished in Poland. And on Amazon, the most popular noir cycle is All-Good Electricity. Among the reviews of the novel "": "A great writer and a great book in the style magical steampunk "," A good, fast-paced story with lots of twists and turns. "An original combination of steam technology and magic. But the most important advantage of the story is, of course, its narrator Leopold Orso, an introvert with many skeletons in the closet. Sensitive but ruthless, he is able to control other people's fears, but with difficulty his own. His supporters are a succubus, a zombie, and a leprechaun, and the latter is quite funny."

12. , (Masha Karavai Detective Series)

9. , (Erast Fandorin Mysteries #1)

No, don't rush to look on the bookshelves detective Akunina "Snow Queen". Under this title, the first novel from the cycle about Erast Fandorin, that is, "" was published in English. Introducing it to readers, one of the critics said that if Leo Tolstoy had decided to write a detective story, he would have composed Azazel. That is The Winter Queen. Such a statement ensured interest in the novel, but in the end, reader reviews varied. Some were delighted with the novel, they could not tear themselves away until they had finished reading it; others were reserved about the "melodramatic plot and language of the novellas and plays of the 1890s".

8. , (Watch #1)

"Patrols" are well known to Western readers. Someone even called Anton Gorodetsky the Russian version of Harry Potter: "If Harry were an adult and lived in post-Soviet Moscow." When reading "" - the usual fuss around Russian names: "I like this book, but I can't understand why Anton always says the full name of his boss - "Boris Ignatievich"? Has anyone guessed? I have only read half so far, so maybe , will there be an answer later in the book?" Recently, Lukyanenko has not pleased foreigners with novelties, so today he is only in 8th place in the rating.

7. ,

Those who have read the novel "" by the medievalist Vodolazkin in Russian, cannot but admire the titanic work of the translator Lisa Hayden. The author admitted that before meeting with Hayden, he was sure that the translation into other languages ​​of his skillful stylization of the Old Russian language is impossible! It is all the more pleasant that all the hard work paid off. Critics and ordinary readers met unhistorical novel very warm: "Quirky, ambitious book", "Uniquely generous, layered work", "One of the most touching and mysterious books you will read."

6. ,

Perhaps it will come as a surprise to Pelevin's fans that the cult novel "abroad" in the writer's homeland has been supplanted by an early work "". Western readers put this compact satirical book on a par with "" Huxley: "I strongly recommend reading it!", "This is the Hubble telescope facing the Earth."

"In his 20s, Pelevin witnessed glasnost and the emergence of hope for a national culture based on the principles of openness and justice. At 30, Pelevin saw the collapse of Russia and the unification<…>the worst elements of wild capitalism and gangsterism as a form of government. Science and Buddhism Pelevin became a support for the search for purity and truth. But combined with the outgoing empire of the USSR and the raw materialism of the new Russia, this led to a shift in tectonic plates, a spiritual and creative upheaval, like a magnitude 9 earthquake, which was reflected in Omon Ra.<…>Although Pelevin is fascinated by the absurdity of life, he is still looking for answers. Gertrude Stein once said, "There is no answer. There will be no answer. There has never been an answer. This is the answer." I suspect that if Pelevin agrees with Stein, his tectonic plates will freeze, the shock wave of creativity will go out. We, the readers, would suffer because of this."

"Pelevin never allows the reader to find balance. The first page is intriguing. The last paragraph of "Omon Ra" may be the most accurate literary expression of existentialism ever written."

5. , (The Dark Herbalist Book #2)

Next, several representatives Russian LitRPG . Judging by the reviews, a native of Grozny, the author of the series "Dark Herbalist" Mikhail Atamanov knows a lot about goblins and gaming literature: "I strongly recommend giving this really unusual hero a chance to impress you!", "The book was excellent, even better." But not strong in English yet: "An excellent example of LitRPG, I liked it. As others have already commented, the ending is hasty, and the translation of slang and colloquial speech from Russian into English is inaccurate. I don't know if the author is tired of the series, or fired the translator and the last 5% of the book relied on Google Translate. Didn't like the Deus ex machina ending too much. But still 5 stars for the big boo. I hope the author continues the series from level 40 to level 250! I'll buy it."

4. , he is G. Akella, Steel Wolves of Craedia(Realm of Arkon #3)

Have you opened the book? Welcome to the online game "World of Arkon"! "I love it when an author grows and improves and the book and series get more complex and detailed. After completing this book, I immediately started rereading it - perhaps the best compliment I could give an author."

"Very, very highly recommended reading and complimenting the translator (despite the enigmatic Elven Presley!). The translation is not just a replacement of words, and here the translation of the content from Russian into English is done extremely well."

3. , (The Way of the Shaman Book #1)

"" Vasily Makhanenko collected a lot of positive reviews: "Excellent novel, one of my favorites! Treat yourself and read this series !!" next book", "I've read everything and want to continue the series!", "It was a great read. There were grammatical errors, usually a missing word or not quite accurate wording, but they were few and they were insignificant."

2. , (Play to Live #1)

The cycle "Play to Live" is based on an amazing collision that will leave few indifferent: the terminally ill guy Max (in the Russian version of the book "" - Gleb) goes into virtual reality in order to feel the pulse of life again in the Other World, to find friends, enemies and experience incredible adventures.

Sometimes readers grumble: “Max is ridiculously over-gifted. For example, he reaches level 50 in 2 weeks. He is the only one who creates the necessary item in a world with 48 million experienced gamers. But I can forgive all this: who wants to read a book about a gamer stuck on level 3 killing rabbits? This book is popcorn to read, pure junk food, and I enjoy it. From a Female Perspective, I would give the book a 3 out of 5: Everyday Misogyny. Max does some derogatory, supposedly funny comments about women, and the only female character is crying and having sex with Max. But overall, I would recommend this book to a gamer. It is pure pleasure."

"I have not read the author's biography, but judging by the book and the references, I am sure that he is Russian.<…>I have worked with many of them and have always enjoyed their company. They never get depressed. That's what I think makes this book amazing. The main character is told that he has an inoperable brain tumor. However, he's not overly depressed, doesn't complain, just evaluates options and lives in VR. A very good story. It is dark, but there is no evil in it."

1. , (Metro 2033 #1)

If you are familiar with modern Russian science fiction writers, it is not difficult to guess who will be at the top of our rating: translation of books into 40 languages, sales of 2 million copies - yes, this is Dmitry Glukhovsky! Odyssey in the scenery of the Moscow subway. " " is not a classic LitRPG, but the novel was created to symbiosis with a computer shooter. And if once the book promoted the game, now the game promotes the book. Translations, professional audio books, a website with a virtual tour of the stations - and a logical result: the "population" of the world created by Glukhovsky is growing every year.

"It's a fascinating journey. The characters are real. The ideologies of the various 'states' are believable. Unknown in the dark tunnels, the tension is reaching its limits. By the end of the book, I was deeply impressed by the world created by the author and how much I cared about the characters." "Russians know how to write apocalyptic, nightmarish stories. You only need to read the Strugatsky brothers' Roadside Picnic, Hansovsky's Day of Wrath, or see the amazing Letters of a Dead Man by Lopushansky to feel: they understand well what it means to live on the edge of the abyss. Claustrophobia and dangerous, frightening dead ends; Metro 2033 is a world of uncertainty and fear, straddling the line between survival and death."

01/17/2016 at 18:22 · pavlofox · 20 880

Top 10. The best works of Russian classics

Many of us from school have remained convinced that for the most part Russian classics are a rather boring and unthinkably drawn-out work for several hundred pages about the hardships of life, mental suffering and the philosophical searches of the main characters. We have collected Russian classics that are impossible not to read to the end.

10. Anatoly Pristavkin “A golden cloud spent the night”

“A golden cloud spent the night” by Anatoly Pristavkin- a story that is poignant in its tragedy, which happened to orphans, the twin brothers Sasha and Kolka Kuzmin, who were evacuated along with the rest of the children from the orphanage during the war years to the Caucasus. Here it was decided to establish a labor colony for land development. Children turn out to be innocent victims of the government's policy towards the peoples of the Caucasus. This is one of the most powerful and honest stories about military orphans and the deportation of the Caucasian peoples. “A golden cloud spent the night” has been translated into 30 languages ​​of the world and is rightfully one of the best works of Russian classics. 10th place in our rating.

9. Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago"

Novel Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago", which brought him world fame and the Nobel Prize - in 9th place in the list of the best works of Russian classics. For his novel, Pasternak was sharply criticized by representatives of the official literary world of the country. The manuscript of the book was banned for publication, and the writer himself, under pressure, was forced to refuse to present the prestigious award. After the death of Pasternak, she was transferred to his son.

8. Mikhail Sholokhov "Quiet Flows the Don"

In terms of the scale and scope of the period of life of the main characters described in it, it can be compared with Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace". This is an epic story about the life and fate of the representatives of the Don Cossacks. The novel covers the three most difficult eras of the country: the First World War, the 1917 revolution and the Civil War. What happened in the souls of people in those days, what reasons forced relatives and friends to stand on opposite sides of the barricades? The writer tries to answer these questions in one of the best works of Russian classical literature. "Quiet Don" - on the 8th place in our rating.

7. Stories by Anton Chekhov

The universally recognized classic of Russian literature, occupy 7th place in our list. One of the most famous playwrights in the world, he wrote more than 300 works of various genres and died very early, at 44. Chekhov's stories, ironic, funny and eccentric, reflected the realities of life of that era. They have not lost their relevance even now. The peculiarity of his short works is not to answer questions, but to ask them to the reader.

6. I. Ilf and E. Petrov "The Twelve Chairs"

The novels of writers with a wonderful sense of humor I. Ilf and E. Petrov "The Twelve Chairs" and "The Golden Calf" take 6th place among the best works of Russian classics. After reading them, every reader will understand that classical literature is not only interesting and exciting, but also funny. The adventures of the great strategist Ostap Bender, the protagonist of the books by Ilf and Petrov, will not leave anyone indifferent. Immediately after the first publication, the writers' works were ambiguously perceived in literary circles. But time has shown their artistic value.

5.

In fifth place in our ranking of the best works of Russian classics - The Gulag Archipelago by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. This is not only a great novel about one of the most difficult and terrible periods in the country's history - repressions in the USSR, but also an autobiographical work based on the author's personal experience, as well as letters and memoirs of more than two hundred camp prisoners. The release of the novel in the West was accompanied by a loud scandal and persecution against Solzhenitsyn and other dissidents. The publication of The Gulag Archipelago became possible in the USSR only in 1990. The novel is one of best books of the century.

4. Nikolai Gogol "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka"

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a universally recognized classic of world significance. The crown of his work is considered the novel "Dead Souls", the second volume of which was destroyed by the author himself. But our rating of the best works of Russian classics included the first book Gogol - "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka". It is hard to believe that the stories included in the book and written with sparkling humor were practically the first experience in Gogol's writing. A flattering review of the work was left by Pushkin, who was sincerely amazed and fascinated by Gogol's stories, written in a lively, poetic language without pretentiousness and stiffness.

The events described in the book take place in different time periods: in XVII, XVIII XIX centuries.

3. Fyodor Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment"

Novel "Crime and Punishment" by F. M. Dostoevsky ranks third in the list of the best works of Russian classics. He received the status of a cult book of world importance. This is one of the most frequently filmed books. This is not only a deeply philosophical work in which the author poses the problems of moral responsibility, good and evil to readers, but also a psychological drama and a fascinating detective story. The author shows the reader the process of turning a talented and respectable young man into a murderer. He is no less interested in the possibility of Raskolnikov's atonement for guilt.

2.

Great epic novel Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace", the volume of which terrifies schoolchildren for many decades, is actually very interesting. It covers the period of several military campaigns against France, the strongest at that time, led by Napoleon Bonaparte. This is one of the brightest examples of the best works of not only Russian, but also world classics. The novel is recognized as one of the most epic works in world literature. Here every reader will find his favorite topic: love, war, courage.

1. Mikhail Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

Topping our list of examples of the best classic literature is the marvelous novel. The author never lived to see the publication of his book - it was published 30 years after his death.

The Master and Margarita is such a complex work that not a single attempt to film the novel has succeeded. The figures of Woland, the Master and Margarita require filigree accuracy in the transfer of their images. Unfortunately, no actor has yet managed to achieve this. The film adaptation of the novel by director Vladimir Bortko can be considered the most successful.

What else to see:

culture

This list contains the names of the greatest writers of all time from different nations, writing in different languages. Those who are at least somehow interested in literature are undoubtedly familiar with them from their wonderful creations.

Today I would like to remember those who have remained on the pages of history as outstanding authors of great works that have been in demand for many years, decades, centuries and even millennia.

1) Latin: Publius Virgil Maro

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Marcus Tullius Cicero, Gaius Julius Caesar, Publius Ovid Nason, Quintus Horace Flaccus

You must know Virgil from his famous epic "Aeneid", which is dedicated to the fall of Troy. Virgil is probably the most strict perfectionist in the history of literature. He wrote his poem at an astonishingly slow rate - only 3 lines a day. He did not want to do it faster, to be sure that it was impossible to write these three lines better.

In Latin, a subordinate clause, dependent or independent, can be written in any order, with a few exceptions. Thus, the poet has great freedom in determining how his poetry sounds, without changing the meaning in any way. Virgil considered every option at every stage.

Virgil also wrote two more works in Latin - "Bucoliki"(38 BC) and "Georgics"(29 BC). "Georgics"- 4 partly didactic poems about agriculture, including various kinds of advice, for example, not to plant grapes next to olive trees: olive leaves are very flammable, and at the end of a dry summer they can catch fire, like everything around, due to a lightning bolt.

He also praised Aristaeus, the god of beekeeping, because honey was the only source of sugar for the European world until sugar cane was brought to Europe from the Caribbean. Bees were deified, and Virgil explained how to acquire a hive if the farmer does not have one: kill a deer, a wild boar or a bear, rip open their belly and leave them in the forest, praying to the god Aristaeus. In a week he will send a beehive to the carcass of the animal.

Virgil wrote that he would like his poem "Aeneid" burned after his death, as it remained unfinished. However, the emperor of Rome, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, refused to do so, thanks to which the poem has survived to this day.

2) Ancient Greek: Homer

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, Apostle Paul, Euripides, Aristophanes

Homer, perhaps, can be called the greatest writer of all times and peoples, but not much is known about him. He was probably a blind man who told stories written down 400 years later. Or in fact, a whole group of writers worked on the poems, who added something about the Trojan War and the Odyssey.

Anyway, "Iliad" and "Odyssey" were written in ancient Greek, a dialect that came to be called Homeric in contrast to the Attic that followed later and which replaced it. "Iliad" describes the last 10 years of the struggle of the Greeks with the Trojans outside the walls of Troy. Achilles is the main character. He is furious that King Agamemnon treats him and his trophies as his own property. Achilles refused to participate in the war, which had already lasted 10 years and in which the Greeks lost thousands of their soldiers in the struggle for Troy.

But after persuasion, Achilles allowed his friend (and possibly lover) Patroclus, who did not want to wait any longer, to join the war. However, Patroclus was defeated and killed by Hector, the leader of the Trojan army. Achilles rushed into battle and forced the Trojan battalions to flee. Without outside help, he killed many enemies, fought with the god of the river Scamander. Achilles ultimately killed Hector, and the poem ends with funeral ceremonies.

"Odyssey"- an unsurpassed adventure masterpiece about the 10-year wanderings of Odysseus, who tried to return home after the end of the Trojan War along with his people. The details of the fall of Troy are mentioned very briefly. When Odysseus ventured to the Land of the Dead, where he found Achilles among others.

These are just two works of Homer that have survived and have come down to us, however, whether there were others is not exactly known. However, these works underlie all European literature. The poems are written in dactylic hexameter. Many poems have been written in memory of Homer in the Western tradition.

3) French: Victor Hugo

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: René Descartes, Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas, Molière, François Rabelais, Marcel Proust, Charles Baudelaire

The French have always been fans of long novels, the longest of which is the cycle "In Search of Lost Time" Marcel Proust. However, Victor Hugo is perhaps the most famous French prose writer and one of the greatest poets of the 19th century.

His most famous works are "Notre Dame Cathedral"(1831) and "Les Misérables"(1862). The first work even formed the basis of the famous cartoon "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" studios Walt Disney Pictures However, in Hugo's real novel, everything ended far from being so fabulous.

The hunchback Quasimodo was hopelessly in love with the gypsy Esmeralda, who treated him well. However, Frollo, an evil priest, had his eye on the beauty. Frollo followed her and saw how she almost turned out to be the mistress of Captain Phoebus. As revenge, Frollo handed over the gypsy to justice, accusing the captain of the murder, whom he actually killed himself.

After being tortured, Esmeralda confessed that she allegedly committed a crime and was supposed to be hanged, but at the last moment she was saved by Quasimodo. In the end, Esmeralda was executed anyway, Frollo was thrown from the cathedral, and Quasimodo starved to death, hugging the corpse of his beloved.

"Les Misérables" also not a very cheerful novel, at least one of the main characters - Cosette - survives, despite the fact that she had to suffer almost all her life, like all the heroes of the novel. It's a classic story of fanatical law enforcement, but almost no one can help those who really need help the most.

4) Spanish: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Jorge Luis Borges

The main work of Cervantes, of course, is the famous novel "The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha". He also wrote collections of short stories, a romantic novel "Galatea", novel "Persiles and Sihismunda" and some other works.

Don Quixote is a rather hilarious character, even today, whose real name is Alonso Quejana. He read so much about warrior knights and their honest ladies that he began to consider himself a knight, traveling through the countryside and getting into all sorts of adventures, forcing everyone who meets him on the way to remember him for recklessness. He befriends an ordinary farmer, Sancho Panza, who is trying to bring Don Quixote back to reality.

It is known that Don Quixote tried to fight with windmills, saved people who usually did not need his help, and was beaten many times. The second part of the book was published 10 years after the first and is the first work of modern literature. The characters all know about the story of Don Quixote, which is told in the first part.

Now everyone he meets is trying to ridicule him and Panso, testing their faith in the spirit of chivalry. He eventually returns to reality when he loses a fight with the Knight of the White Moon, poisons himself at home, falls ill and dies, leaving all the money to his niece on the condition that she does not marry a man who reads reckless tales of chivalry.

5) Dutch: Jost van den Vondel

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Peter Hooft, Jakob Kats

Vondel is the most prominent Dutch writer who lived in the 17th century. He was a poet and playwright and was representative of the "Golden Age" of Dutch literature. His most famous play is "Geisbrecht of Amsterdam", a historical drama that was performed on New Year's Day at the Amsterdam City Theater between 1438 and 1968.

The play is about Geisbrecht IV, who, according to the play, invaded Amsterdam in 1303 to restore the honor of the family and return the titled nobility. He founded something like the title of baron in these places. Vondel's historical sources were incorrect. In fact, the invasion was carried out by the son of Geisbrecht, Jan, who turned out to be a real hero, overthrowing the tyranny that reigned in Amsterdam. Today, Geisbrecht is a national hero because of this writer's mistake.

Vondel also wrote another masterpiece, an epic poem called "John the Baptist"(1662) about the life of John. This work is the national epic of the Netherlands. Vondel is also the author of the play "Lucifer"(1654), which examines the soul of a biblical character, as well as his character and motives in order to answer the question of why he did what he did. This play inspired the Englishman John Milton to write 13 years later "Paradise Lost".

6) Portuguese: Luis de Camões

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: José Maria Esa de Queiroz, Fernando António Nugueira Pessoa

Camões is considered the greatest poet of Portugal. His most famous work is "Lusiades"(1572). The Lusiades were the people who inhabited the Roman region of Lusitania, on the site of which modern Portugal is located. The name comes from the name Lusa (Lusus), he was a friend of the god of wine Bacchus, he is considered the progenitor of the Portuguese people. "Lusiades"- an epic poem consisting of 10 songs.

The poem tells of all the famous Portuguese sea voyages to discover, conquer and colonize new countries and cultures. She is somewhat similar to "Odyssey" Homer, Camões praises Homer and Virgil many times. The work begins with a description of the journey of Vasco da Gama.

This is a historical poem that recreates many battles, the Revolution of 1383-85, the discovery of da Gama, trade with the city of Calcutta, India. The Louisiads were always watched by the Greek gods, although da Gama, being a Catholic, prayed to his own God. At the end, the poem mentions Magellan and speaks of the glorious future of Portuguese navigation.

7) German: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Friedrich von Schiller, Arthur Schopenhauer, Heinrich Heine, Franz Kafka

Speaking of German music, one cannot but mention Bach, just as German literature would not have been so complete without Goethe. Many great writers wrote about him or used his ideas in shaping their style. Goethe wrote four novels, a great many poems and documentaries, scientific essays.

Undoubtedly, his most famous work is the book "The Sorrows of Young Werther"(1774). Goethe founded the German Romantic movement. Beethoven's 5th symphony completely coincides in mood with Goethe's "Werther".

Novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" talks about the unsatisfied romanticism of the protagonist, which leads to his suicide. The story is told in the form of letters and made the epistolary novel popular for at least the next century and a half.

However, the masterpiece of Goethe's pen is still a poem "Faust" which consists of 2 parts. The first part was published in 1808, the second in 1832, the year of the writer's death. The legend of Faust existed long before Goethe, but Goethe's dramatic story remains the most famous story about this hero.

Faust is a scientist whose incredible knowledge and wisdom pleased God. God sends Mephistopheles or the Devil to check on Faust. The story of a deal with the devil has often been brought up in literature, but the most famous is perhaps the story of Goethe's Faust. Faust signs an agreement with the Devil, promising his soul in exchange for the Devil to do whatever Faust wishes on Earth.

He becomes young again and falls in love with the girl Gretchen. Gretchen takes a potion from Faust to help her mother's insomnia, but the potion poisons her. This drives Gretchen crazy, she drowns her newborn baby, signing her death warrant. Faust and Mephistopheles break into the prison to rescue her, but Gretchen refuses to go with them. Faust and Mephistopheles go into hiding, and God grants forgiveness to Gretchen while she awaits her execution.

The second part is incredibly difficult to read, as the reader needs to be well versed in Greek mythology. This is a kind of continuation of the story that began in the first part. Faust, with the help of Mephistopheles, becomes incredibly strong and corrupt until the very end of the story. He remembers the pleasure of being a good person and immediately dies. Mephistopheles comes for his soul, but the angels take it for themselves, they stand up for the soul of Faust, who is reborn and ascends to Heaven.

8) Russian: Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Today, Pushkin is remembered as the father of native Russian literature, in contrast to that Russian literature, which had a clear tinge of Western influence. First of all, Pushkin was a poet, but he wrote in all genres. Drama is considered his masterpiece. "Boris Godunov"(1831) and a poem "Eugene Onegin"(1825-32).

The first work is a play, the second is a novel in poetic form. "Onegin" written exclusively in sonnets, and Pushkin invented a new form of sonnet that distinguishes his work from the sonnets of Petrarch, Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser.

The main character of the poem - Eugene Onegin - is the model on which all Russian literary heroes are based. Onegin is treated as a person who does not meet any standards accepted in society. He wanders, gambles, fights duels, he is called a sociopath, although not cruel or evil. This person, rather, does not give a damn about the values ​​​​and rules that are accepted in society.

Many of Pushkin's poems formed the basis of ballets and operas. They are very difficult to translate into any other language, mostly because poetry simply cannot sound the same in another language. This is what distinguishes poetry from prose. Languages ​​often do not match in the possibilities of words. The Inuit language of the Eskimos is known to have 45 different words for snow.

Nonetheless, "Onegin" translated into many languages. Vladimir Nabokov translated the poem into English, but instead of one volume, he got as many as 4. Nabokov retained all the definitions and descriptive details, but completely ignored the music of poetry.

All this is due to the fact that Pushkin had an incredibly unique writing style that allowed him to touch on all aspects of the Russian language, even inventing new syntactic and grammatical forms and words, establishing many rules that almost all Russian writers use even today.

9) Italian: Dante Alighieri

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: none

Name Durante in Latin means "hardy" or "eternal". It was Dante who helped streamline the various Italian dialects of his time into modern Italian. The dialect of Tuscany, where Dante was born in Florence, is the standard for all Italians thanks to "Divine Comedy"(1321), Dante Alighieri's masterpiece and one of the greatest works of world literature of all time.

At the time this work was written, the Italian regions each had their own dialect, which were quite different from each other. Today, when you want to learn Italian as a foreign language, you will almost always start with the Florentine version of Tuscany because of its significance in literature.

Dante travels to Hell and Purgatory to learn about the punishments that sinners are serving. There are different punishments for different crimes. Those who are accused of lust are forever driven by the wind, despite their fatigue, because during their lifetime the wind of voluptuousness drove them.

Those whom Dante considers heretics are guilty of splitting the church into several branches, among them also the prophet Muhammad. They are sentenced to a split from the neck to the groin, and the punishment is carried out by the devil with a sword. In such a ripped state, they walk in a circle.

AT "Comedy" there are also descriptions of Paradise, which are also unforgettable. Dante uses Ptolemy's concept of paradise that Heaven is made up of 9 concentric spheres, each of which brings the author and Beatrice, his lover and guide, closer to God at the very top.

After meeting with various famous personalities from the Bible, Dante finds himself face to face with the Lord God, depicted as three beautiful circles of light, merging into one, from which Jesus, the incarnation of God on Earth, emerges.

Dante is also the author of other smaller poems and essays. One of the works - "About folk eloquence" talks about the importance of Italian as a spoken language. He also wrote a poem "New life" with passages in prose in which he defends noble love. No other writer was as fluent in the language as Dante was in Italian.

10) English: William Shakespeare

Other great authors who wrote in the same language: John Milton, Samuel Beckett, Geoffrey Chaucer, Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens

Voltaire called Shakespeare "that drunken fool", and his works "that huge dunghill". Nevertheless, the influence of Shakespeare on literature is undeniable, and not only English, but also the literature of most other languages ​​of the world. Today Shakespeare is one of the most translated writers, his complete works have been translated into 70 languages, and various plays and poems - into more than 200.

About 60 percent of all catchphrases, quotes and idioms in the English language come from King James Bible(English translation of the Bible), 30 percent from Shakespeare.

According to the rules of Shakespearean time, tragedies demanded the death of at least one main character at the end, but in an ideal tragedy everyone dies: "Hamlet" (1599-1602), "King Lear" (1660), "Othello" (1603), "Romeo and Juliet" (1597).

In contrast to tragedy, there is comedy, in which someone is sure to get married at the end, and in the ideal comedy, all the characters get married and get married: "A dream in a summer night" (1596), "Much ado about nothing" (1599), "Twelfth Night" (1601), "The Merry Wives of Windsor" (1602).

Shakespeare masterfully exacerbated the tension between the characters in an excellent combination with the plot. He knew how, like no one else, organically describe human nature. The real genius of Shakespeare can be called skepticism, which pervades all his works, sonnets, plays and poems. He, as expected, praises the highest moral principles of mankind, but these principles are always expressed in the conditions of an ideal world.