Subject
Russia -- History -- Alexander II, 1855-1881 -- Fiction Books
Best books
Jules Verne
Michael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the Czar
"Michael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the Czar" by Jules Verne is a novel written in 1876. When Tartar rebels sever Russia's eastern territories and encircle Irkutsk, courier Michael Strogoff must traverse war-torn Siberia with a vital warning: a vengeful traitor plots to betray the Tsar's brother. Traveling under false identity, Strogoff faces capture, betrayal, and brutal punishment as he races against time. Accompanied by fellow travelers including Nadia Fedor, he must reach Irkutsk before the city falls.
Abraham Cahan
The White Terror and The Red: A Novel of Revolutionary Russia
"The White Terror and The Red: A Novel of Revolutionary Russia" by Abraham Cahan is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores the political and social turmoil during the revolutionary period in Russia, particularly focusing on the interactions between characters from various social classes, including nobility and political dissenters. Central to the narrative are characters like Prince Pavel Boulatoff, who navigates his loyalties against his awakening sense of justice amidst the oppressive regime. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Czar Alexander II during a summer retreat in Germany, where he attempts to experience life as an ordinary citizen. This setting contrasts with the troubled political landscape back home, where revolutionary ideas bubble beneath the surface. Young Pavel and his tutor, Alexandre Pievakin, engage in discussions that highlight the tension between loyalty to the Czar and sympathy for oppressed individuals like Pani Oginska, a Polish woman whose life has been disrupted by political upheaval. As Pavel grapples with his identity and beliefs, the reader is drawn into the dynamic debates and moral dilemmas that will shape his journey throughout this turbulent period in Russian history.
Jules Verne
Michel Strogoff: De Moscou a Irkoutsk
"Michel Strogoff: De Moscou a Irkoutsk" by Jules Verne is an adventure novel published in 1876. Michel Strogoff, courier to Russia's Tsar Alexander II, must journey from Moscow to Irkutsk to warn the tsar's brother of an invasion by Tatar forces led by a traitor. The five-thousand-kilometer route becomes a three-month ordeal of pursuits, betrayals, and dangers including wolves, bears, and capture. Accompanied by the determined Nadia Fedor, Strogoff faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his race against time.
G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
Condemned as a Nihilist: A Story of Escape from Siberia
"Condemned as a Nihilist: A Story of Escape from Siberia" by G. A. Henty is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around Godfrey Bullen, a young Englishman who finds himself in Russia, where he unwittingly becomes embroiled in a dangerous plot involving the Nihilists and the political tensions of the time. As he navigates his new life, he faces various challenges, including misunderstandings with the authorities that could threaten his safety. The opening of the story introduces Godfrey Bullen as he prepares to leave his school in England for St. Petersburg, Russia, to work for his father's business. His departure elicits mixed emotions from his friends, some of whom ominously warn him about the Nihilists, suggesting that he should be careful of their potential involvement in revolutionary activities. Upon arriving in Russia, Godfrey quickly becomes acquainted with the culture, language, and social dynamics of the city. However, his curiosity leads him to a masked ball, where he is unknowingly drawn into a plot that could have dire consequences, culminating in his dramatic arrest by the secret police. This sets the stage for his subsequent challenges and adventures in navigating the tumultuous socio-political landscape of Russia.
Recently surfaced classics