Subject
Russia -- Social life and customs -- 1533-1917 -- Fiction Books
Best books
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Brothers Karamazov
"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a novel published between 1879 and 1880. Set in 19th-century Russia, this passionate philosophical work explores profound questions of God, free will, and morality. The story revolves around the volatile Karamazov family: a disreputable father and his three sons—sensual Dmitri, intellectual Ivan, and idealistic Alyosha. As tensions escalate over inheritance and romantic entanglements, the novel delves into faith, doubt, and reason, with patricide at the heart of its dramatic plot.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The possessed : $b or, The devils
"The Possessed: or, The Devils" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a novel first published in 1871–72. A fictional Russian town descends into chaos as conspirators attempt revolution, led by the cunning Pyotr Verkhovensky. Dominating the story is the mysterious aristocrat Nikolai Stavrogin, who exerts extraordinary influence over nearly everyone around him. This political satire and psychological drama explores the catastrophic consequences of nihilism taking hold in 1860s Russia, where destructive ideas possess individuals and threaten to consume an entire society.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Dead Souls
"Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogol is a novel first published in 1842. It follows Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, a mysterious gentleman who arrives in a small Russian town with a peculiar scheme: to purchase "dead souls"—serfs who have died but still exist on paper for tax purposes. As he charms local officials and landowners, his bizarre transactions raise suspicions. Through absurd satire, Gogol exposes the moral rot and social dysfunction of Russia's middle aristocracy, creating unforgettable caricatures of greed, pretension, and vulgarity.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
Fathers and Sons
"Fathers and Sons" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a novel published in 1862. When university graduate Arkady returns home with his friend Bazarov, a self-proclaimed nihilist, generational tensions erupt. Bazarov's radical philosophy clashes with the older generation's values, while both young men find their beliefs tested by unexpected romance. As ideological conflicts intensify and personal relationships grow complicated, the story explores the widening gap between traditional Russian society and a new generation determined to reject everything their fathers held sacred.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Poor Folk
"Poor Folk" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a novel written between 1844 and 1845. Told through letters between two impoverished distant relatives, Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova, the story reveals their struggles with poverty in St. Petersburg. As they share books and support each other through hardship, an unusual friendship develops. When a wealthy widower proposes to Dobroselova, their bond faces its greatest test, forcing both characters to confront their circumstances and desires.
Mikhail Iurevich Lermontov
A Hero of Our Time
"A Hero of Our Time" by Mikhail Iurevich Lermontov is a novel written in 1839 and published in 1840. It introduces Pechorin, a compelling Byronic antihero whose cynicism and self-destructive behavior epitomize the "superfluous man" of Russian literature. Through his conquests and contradictions, Pechorin pursues pleasure while drowning in existential emptiness. His romantic manipulations and arbitrary actions leave devastation in their wake, including tragic consequences for those who love him. Recognized as Russia's first psychological fiction, the novel explores one man's profound alienation against the beautiful backdrop of the Caucasus.
Leo Tolstoy
Childhood
"Childhood" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a novel published in 1852. It marks Tolstoy's debut at age twenty-three and launched his literary career, earning immediate acclaim from established Russian writers. The first in a trilogy followed by "Boyhood" and "Youth," it explores the inner world of young Nikolenka through an innovative expressionistic style that blends fact, fiction, and emotion. This groundbreaking work captures childhood's fleeting innocence, joy, and intense capacity for love through the narrator's moods and reactions.
Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov
Oblomov
"Oblomov" by Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov is a novel published in 1859. It follows Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, a young Russian nobleman who has perfected the art of inertia. Unable to leave his bed or make decisions, he watches life pass from his bedroom while others manage his crumbling estate. When a friend introduces him to love, Oblomov faces a choice: embrace action and purpose, or surrender to the comfortable paralysis that defines him.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Sämtliche Werke 9-10 : $b Die Brüder Karamasoff
"Sämtliche Werke 9-10: Die Brüder Karamasoff" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores profound philosophical and theological questions through the lives of the Karamasoff family, particularly focusing on the three brothers: Dmitrij, Iwan, and Aljoscha. It dives into the themes of morality, faith, and the existential dilemmas facing humanity, making it one of Dostoyevsky's most celebrated works. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the Karamasoff family, particularly their father, Fedor Pawlowitsch Karamasoff, an irresponsible and dissipated man who neglects his children. The story outlines the troubled dynamics within the family, hinting at the complex relationships that will unfold between the brothers, especially as each at different times grapples with familial loyalty and philosophical questions of faith and doubt. As they navigate their individual struggles, the foundation is laid for the existential and moral conflicts that define the narrative.
Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov
The Precipice
"The Precipice" by Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov is a novel published in 1869. Three men compete for the love of Vera, an independent and intelligent woman: Boris Raisky, a dilettante artist; Mark Volokhov, a nihilist preaching materialism and atheism; and Ivan Tushin, an enlightened landowner. Their struggle reflects broader tensions between new philosophical ideas and traditional values in Russian society. The novel also features Raisky's wise grandmother, creating a portrait of women navigating a changing world.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Sämtliche Werke 5-6 : $b Die Dämonen
"Sämtliche Werke 5-6: Die Dämonen" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores the themes of nihilism, morality, and societal upheaval in Russia, with a focus on various characters navigating the complex and tumultuous landscape of revolutionary ideas. The primary character introduced, Stepan Trophimowitsch Werchowenski, plays a significant role in the novel as he represents the struggles of intellectuals amid societal change. The opening of the novel presents a detailed introduction to Stepan Trophimowitsch, a somewhat eccentric figure obsessed with the idea of being a victim of fate and circumstance. The narrative reveals his past, including his tenure as a university lecturer and his varied literary ambitions. The text highlights his interactions with other characters and his longing for significance in a rapidly changing world, showcasing not only his personal struggles but also the broader existential dilemmas faced by society. The tone sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Dostoyevsky's critical examination of nihilism and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Uncle's Dream; and The Permanent Husband
"Uncle's Dream" and "The Permanent Husband" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The stories explore themes of social dynamics, personal relationships, and the intricacies of human psychology, typical of Dostoevsky's works. The opening story, "Uncle's Dream," introduces readers to the manipulative and influential figure of Maria Alexandrovna Moskaleva, a woman of high social standing in the town of Mordasoff, who expertly navigates gossip and scandal in her community. At the start of "Uncle's Dream," we meet Maria Alexandrovna, a character whose strong presence demands attention and respect, even if few actually love her. As the tale unfolds, it is revealed that her husband has been sent to the countryside due to his incompetence, allowing her to wield full control over social matters in the town. The story sets the stage for intriguing developments with the unexpected visit of Prince K---, which promises to upend the social order in Mordasoff, igniting Maria Alexandrovna’s ambitions and complicating her relationships with others, including her unmarried daughter, Zina. The opening portrays a blend of humor and social commentary, drawing readers into the complexities of provincial life and the characters’ interactions.
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