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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 philosophical quest main characters. We have collected Russian classics that are impossible not to read to the end.

Anatoly Pristavkin "A golden cloud spent the night"

“A golden cloud spent the night” by Anatoly Pristavkin- a story, poignant in its tragedy, that happened to orphans, twin brothers Sasha and Kolka Kuzmin, who were evacuated along with the rest of the pupils orphanage during the war in 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 war orphans and deportation. 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.

Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago"

Novel Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago" who brought him world fame and 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 countries. 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.

Mikhail Sholokhov " Quiet 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 three most difficult eras of the country: the first world war, the 1917 revolution and the Civil War. What happened in the soul of people in those days, what reasons made them stand up different sides barricades of relatives and friends? 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.

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, wrote more than 300 works different genre He passed away very early, at the age of 44. Chekhov's stories, ironic, funny and eccentric, reflected the realities of life of that era. They have not lost their relevance even now. Feature of it short works- do not answer questions, but ask them to the reader.

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 classic literature- it 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.

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 history of the country - repressions in the USSR, but also autobiographical work based on personal experience author, as well as letters and memoirs of more than two hundred prisoners of the camps. The release of the novel in the West was accompanied by loud scandal and persecution deployed 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.

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.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky "Crime and Punishment"

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

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.

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.

The book is the whole world, which exists not only on paper, but also in the imagination of the reader. Search good work- The task is quite difficult. This review includes best books of all time- rating of the top 10 works that everyone should read.

1. War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy)

One of the best Russian novels was written between 1863 and 1869, but the publication of the work did not begin until 1865. The book shows the life of the Russian nobility during the war with the army of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In St. Petersburg, Anna Scherer, who is in good standing with the Empress, arranges a reception. All the cream of Petersburg society is invited to it. The elite of the nobility speak French just as well and as often as Russian. Here, for the first time, fears and assumptions are expressed about the upcoming war with the French. At the same time, in Moscow, Count Rostov is hosting a reception to celebrate the birthday of his daughter Natasha. Moscow Society less concerned with politics and more involved everyday life. But soon the war will abruptly turn the fate of the entire nobility of the empire.

2. 1984 (George Orwell)

The dystopia was written in 1948. The events of the novel take place in 1984. The author of the book has always opposed the idealization of the party and the work has a pronounced political overtones.

In 1984 England, there is only one political party, the Outer Party. Its permanent leader is Big Brother, who has concentrated all power in his hands. Main character novel Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth. In appearance, he is an ordinary civil servant who adheres to the ideology of the party and strictly follows its law. In fact, Smith is not satisfied with the established order of things. He is afraid of what will happen if someone finds out about his true views. Winston's main task is to find among the employees of the Ministry those who can be trusted and those who should be kept away from.

3. Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)

One of Vladimir Nabokov's most popular and best books was written by him in 1955 in English language and later translated into Russian by the author himself. The work tells about the life of a man who, due to psychological trauma in childhood, has not lost his attraction to young girls and his relationship with his stepdaughter.

Nickname of the protagonist Humbert. His main problem is that he is not attracted to adult women, but at the same time he is afraid to answer before the law for having relations with minors. His salvation is the girls involved in prostitution, whose services he periodically resorts to. Everything changes when Humbert finds a widow with a daughter named Dolly. Humbert gives the latter the nickname Lolita and marries her mother.

4. To the lighthouse (Virginia Woolf)

Novel English writer quickly gained popularity and entered the top of the best works of all time. The book tells about the life of a large Ramsey family in a house from which the lighthouse is visible.

Mr and Mrs Ramsay live in a house on the Isle of Skye with their eight children. They often stay with family friends and just acquaintances. Mrs. Ramsay is a strict woman, she causes envy in others and genuine love in her children. Mr. Ramsay, on the other hand, is respected by his friends, but the children consider him a tyrant. The children's dream to go at least once to the lighthouse, which they see every day since their birth, runs like a red thread through the whole novel. Every day the mother promises that tomorrow they will definitely go there, but the father opposes it. Over time, life changes dramatically and the desire to visit the lighthouse fades into the background.

5. The Great Gatsby (Francis Scott Fitzgerald)

The middle of the ranking of the best books in history is occupied by The Great Gatsby. The novel was first published in 1925. The work tells about the life of the golden elite of American society in the "roaring twenties". This is a book about people making money out of nothing and blowing it away on the cusp of the Great Depression.

The story is told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, who was born into a wealthy family but never exalted himself above others. Nick moves to Long Island and rents a house next door to his second cousin Daisy's. There, Nick meets another neighbor - the fabulously rich, but unknown to anyone, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby throws amazing parties, inviting all the elite of New York to them. Something draws Nick to Gatsby. It seems to him that among the fans of all the dirt, debauchery and hopeless squandering of Long Island, Jay is the purest person.

6. Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell)

The only novel by an American writer, which became a real bestseller in a matter of days after publication. The work tells about the events that took place during the civil war in the US and immediately after graduation. The book was published in 1936.

The main character of the novel, Scarlett O'Hara, lives in the American South and is one of the most beautiful southern girls. All the young people who have ever met her are in love with her, but Scarlett herself is confident and never reciprocates anyone. Her heart belongs to Ashley Wilkes. Suddenly, war is approaching the lands of the south. The usual noise of the ball and the chirping of spring picnics is replaced by the roar of guns. The life of all southerners is changing drastically, but the largest number turmoil falls on the share of Scarlett.

7. The Lord of the Rings (J. R. R. Tolkien)

The Lord of the Rings is the best fantasy book of all time. The novel was first published in 1954. This is a single work, divided into three volumes due to its impressive volume. For over 50 years The Lord of the Rings has been in print as a trilogy.

The protagonist of the Hobbit story preceding the novel, Bilbo Baggins, retired, having given his nephew the hobbit Frodo a strange ring. From the old magician, Frodo learns that this is not just an ornament, but the Ring of Omnipotence. It was created by the vain Sauron in Mordor. The Ring of Omnipotence subdues the 19 remaining rings that are held by elves, hobbits and humans. It gives its owner power over the world, while destroying all the good that was in it. Sauron is hunting for his ring and now Frodo must prevent the instrument of power from falling into the hands of the king of darkness.

8 Beloved (Toni Morrison)

Dark-skinned Sethie was once a slave in the southern states, and then fled to the lands of the free north. However, there was a law in the United States that allowed a slave to be prosecuted in any state. Many years have passed since the escape, but Sethie and her daughter Denver have not got used to a free life. One day, a girl named Beloved appears on the threshold of their house. She magically enchants Sethie and completely absorbs her attention. Her friend Paul Di rushes to rescue Sethie, but he does not know the whole truth about the life of his friend. Why does Sethie feel guilty towards her Beloved?

9. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

The classic educational novel by an American writer was written in 1960 in the ranking of the best works of all time. The book is based on memories from the childhood of Harper Lee herself, all events and characters correspond to reality.

AT small town maycombe lives main character novel - six-year-old Jeanne, as well as her brother Jim, father Atticus and friend Dill. Atticus works as a lawyer and takes on the most complicated and, at first glance, hopeless cases. This time he is defending the black Tom, who allegedly raped a girl named Mayella. No one but Atticus and his son believes in Tom's innocence. Together, Genie, Jim and Dill become interested in a mysterious neighbor nicknamed the Scarecrow. Why does he never leave the house? And is Tom really guilty of what happened to the girl?

10. On the Road (Jack Kerouac)

Rounding out our top 10 best books of all time is On the Road. The novel was written in 1951, but publishing houses rejected it for six years. Only in 1957 the work was published. The book is based on real events from the life of Jack Kerouac himself and his best friend.

Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty meet by chance during Dean's trip to New York. Moriarty admires Paradise's writing talent and together they decide to go on a journey in search of inspiration. Friends travel for three years, having traveled during this time most USA and then break up. Dean remarries and Sal continues to travel. The writer meets a Mexican woman and decides to set up a life in Mexico on cotton plantations, but Dean finds him and they break off again in search of adventure.

“How the classic teaches”, “I’ll go read the classics” - these turns can be heard in everyday speech. However, it is unlikely that we are fully aware of which writers have the right to enter the golden fund. belles-lettres, and what this phenomenon is in general - a classic of world literature. This article will answer such questions.

Terminology issues

It is rather difficult to outline the concept of the classical, because this definition is used in the most different meanings. For an ordinary native speaker, it is akin to an ideal, a standard, something to strive for. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that, in relation to literature, the scope of these parameters is mobile and varies depending on a particular era. So, for Corneille and Racine, the classics of world literature are primarily works of the times of Antiquity, while the Middle Ages did not welcome them at all. And in early XIX centuries, there were even lovers to assert that all the best in Russia has already been written. Agree: fans of Pushkin, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, such hypotheses seem extremely ridiculous.

Another point of view

Also, "classical literature" is sometimes understood as works that were created before modernism. Although now such a view can be considered somewhat outdated, since the novels of Kafka, Joyce and Proust, the canvases of Dali and Malevich have long passed into the category of the golden fund of art, weeding out less talented contemporaries.

At the same time, despite historical modifications, the classics of world literature remain timeless, universal and talented. Even after hundreds of years, humanity turns to the works of Shakespeare, Goethe or Pushkin, interpreting them in various discourses. This becomes possible due to the depth of their content, relevance to one and all.

So, to sum up: what does classical literature include? whose works are still read today.

Are classical and "high" literature the same thing?

The division of literature into three "floors" - high, fiction and mass - appeared relatively recently. More precisely, when entertaining books began to be created specifically for the average reader. The classics of world literature largely correspond to the "high" works. They are intelligent, demanding significant work from the reader, his experience. However, the term "classical" is also applied to samples of the so-called mass literature, though in a slightly different meaning. An example of this is the detective stories of Agatha Christie and the fantasy of Tolkien. When their fans claim that this is a classic of world literature, they mean that "Ten Little Indians" or "The Lord of the Rings" served as a successful model for subsequent writers who worked within these genres. It is difficult to judge to what extent these works will remain in the memory of readers; literary criticism does not give an exact answer to this question.

List of world classics

It has already become traditional to rank books that are required reading for those who want to be considered truly an educated person. Open such lists of creations of ancient Greek and Roman authors: Homer ("Iliad"), Aeschylus ("Prometheus chained") and Virgil ("Aeneid"). These works have the unconditional right to bear the honorary title of "classic of world literature". became the cradle of the work of J. Chaucer and F. Villon, as well as an infinite number of literary monuments without an author.

The Renaissance gave us creators eternal images- Shakespeare and Cervantes. However, one must also remember Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Francois Rabelais and some others. The 17th century was marked by baroque (Pedro Calderon, Gongora) and classic (Racine, Corneille, Molière) art. Then came the enrichment of literature with the names of Voltaire, Rousseau, Goethe and Schiller.

The 19th century opens the romantic work of Byron, Scott, Hoffmann, Hugo, Poe. Somewhere in the middle of the century, romanticism is replaced by the novels of Stendhal, Balzac, Dickens.

The turn of the century is distinguished by the appearance of the first modernist movements- symbolism (Verlaine, Rimbaud, Wilde), naturalism (Zola) and impressionism At the same time, the so-called new drama (Ibsen, Shaw, Maeterlinck) is gaining popularity, seeking to completely rethink outdated dramatic techniques. The 20th century enriched literature with the modernist novel (Kafka, Proust and Joyce mentioned), a large number of avant-garde movements Surrealism, Dadaism, Expressionism. The second half of the last century was marked by the work of Brecht, Camus, Hemingway and Marquez. One can also talk about contemporary postmodern works that have become classics (Pavic, Suskind).

Russian classic writers

Russian classics is, of course, a separate conversation. The XIX and XX centuries discovered the names of Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Fet, Goncharov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Blok, Gorky, Yesenin, Bulgakov, Sholokhov ... Classics of Russian and world literature are formed from their works.

All the romantic pathos that shrouded the Middle Ages is presented in Ivanhoe. Valiant Knights, lovely ladies, castle sieges and the political subtleties of vassal relations - all this found a place in the novel by Walter Scott.

In many ways, it was his creation that contributed to the romanticization of the Middle Ages. The author described historical events that cover the period in English history after the Third Crusade. Of course, there were some serious artistic improvisations and fiction, but this made the story only more exciting and beautiful.

It was impossible not to include in this selection the most famous creation of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. For many schoolchildren, the study of "Dead Souls" is the highlight of the literature lessons.

Nikolai Gogol is one of the few classics who knew how to write about the problems of petty-bourgeois life and Russia as a whole in such a sarcastically direct tone. There is neither the epic heaviness of Tolstoy, nor the unhealthy psychologism of Dostoevsky. Reading is easy and enjoyable. However, hardly anyone will deny him the depth and subtlety of the observed phenomena.

The adventure novel "The Headless Horseman" is multi-layered: detective and love motives are intertwined in it. The plot intricacies create intrigue and keep you in suspense until the very last pages of the book. Who is this headless horseman? A ghost, a figment of the heroes' imagination, or someone's insidious trick? You are unlikely to fall asleep until you get an answer to this question.

Charles Dickens was extremely popular during his lifetime. People were waiting for his next novels in much the same way that we are now waiting for the release of some Transformers. The educated English public loved his books for their inimitable style and plot dynamism.

"Death notes Pickwick Club» - the most funny work Dickens. The adventures of English snobs who proclaimed themselves explorers human souls are full of ridiculous and comical situations. Social issues, of course, is present here, but it is presented in such a simple form that one cannot fall in love with English classic after reading it is simply impossible.

"Madame Bovary" is rightfully considered one of the greatest novels world classics. This title does not detract from the fascination of Flaubert's creation - a defiant story love adventures Emma Bovary is bold and bold. After the publication of the novel, the writer was even brought to trial for insulting morality.

The psychological naturalism that permeates the novel allowed Flaubert to clearly reveal the problem that is relevant in any era - the convertibility of love and money.

Most famous work Oscar Wilde is touched by the deeply developed image of the protagonist. Dorian Gray, an aesthete and a snob, has an extreme beauty that contrasts with the internal ugliness that develops over the course of the story. You can revel in watching Gray's moral decline, allegorically reflected in the visual change in his portrait, for hours on end.

"American tragedy" - the wrong side american dream. The desire for wealth, respect, position in society, money is characteristic of all people, however, for the majority, the path to the top is closed by default for various reasons.

Clyde Griffiths - a native of the grassroots, who is trying with all his might to break into high society. He is ready to do anything for his dreams. But society, with its ideals of success as an absolute life purpose is itself a catalyst for the violation of morality. As a result, Clyde breaks the law in order to achieve his goals.

To Kill a Mockingbird is an autobiographical novel. Harper Lee described her childhood memories. The result is a story with an anti-racist message, written in a simple and in plain language. Reading the book is useful and interesting, it can be called a textbook of morality.

Not so long ago, a continuation of the novel was published under the title " Go set a watchman". It's got so much inside out characters. classical work writers that cognitive dissonance when reading cannot be avoided.

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