The 20 Most Important Russian Reads

May 1st, 2011
Russian literature is characterized by epic, impossible-to-pin-down roller coaster rides of psychological, social, political, intellectual and emotional exploration — but many of its greatest works were written within a century of each other (give or take). Poetry dominated the Russian literary landscape until writers like Alexander Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol shook things up, paving the way for master artists Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. It’s impossible to limit yourself to just 20 books if you’re really intent on educating yourself on Russian literature, but these choices serve to display a varied collection of some of the best in Russian novels, short stories, plays, poetry and historical nonfiction.
Novels
Tackle ambitious novels that are considered some of the best works in literature when you read these books.

1. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy: One of the most famous of Tolstoy’s works — and in all of Russian literature — Anna Karenina is an emotionally turbulent novel that explores the fascinating stories and struggles of both lucrative and unestablished members of 1870s Russian society. From the passionate Anna to the more rational but intrinsically complex Konstantin Levin, Tolstoy’s work is a heavy commentary on Russian life and hierarchy as well as an honest, realist exhibit of human nature.
2. Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoyevsky: If you’re wary about tackling this Russian master’s longer works, you can first experiment with the shorter novel, Notes from Underground — although it’s no easy read. Published in 1864, Notes may very well be the first existentialist novel ever and — from the viewpoint of a retired Russian civil servant — attacks Western philosophy. It’s a significant work that wasn’t well-received in Russia at the time but heralded a new age in literature around the world.
3. Eugene Onegin, Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin is regarded as the founder of modern Russian literature — bridging poetry and prose and inspiring generations of other authors like Henry James and and even playwrights like Peter Shaffer. Pushkin — who is also considered by some as the greatest Russian poet to ever write — wrote many masterpieces, by Eugene Onegin was supposedly one of his favorites. It’s a verse novel that took him virtually a lifetime to perfect, although it’s a sensible length — under 300 pages in the Oxford World’s Paperback version.
4. A Hero of Our Time, Mikhail Lermontov: This novel is an oft-quoted example of the superfluous man literary concept in Russian literature and serves as another commentary on the 19th century Russian elite, particularly in the military. The novel is also known for sweeping descriptions of the Caucasus, a great read for any Romantic-loving reader.
5. Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky: You can’t call yourself a Russian literature aficionado — or even tepid fan — if you haven’t read Crime and Punishment, considered to be one of the greatest works of literature ever written. Dostoevsky wrote numerous masterpieces, but this novel is usually cited as his best. It’s a dark, heavy novel that incites grave introspection, but its psychological journey is both intellectual and base.
6. Dr. Zhivago, Boris Pasternak: This work of modern Russian literature was published in 1957, though it depicts the terrors and near defeats of those crushed by — and forced to endure — the Russian Revolution of 1917. Idealism, individuality and love are all victims of the brutal Russian establishment in this book, but it’s a beautiful read nonetheless.
7. Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov: Unfairly thrown around today as a pervert’s indulgence, Lolita is an absorbing book that truly encompasses the honesty, ego and controversy that can define 20th century literature. Plus, it reads pretty fast compared to other Russian books on this list.
8. Pnin, Vladimir Nabokov: Nabokov wrote this novel in English in the mid-1950s, and while it centers on a Russian professor living in the U.S., it still tackles the messiness of Russian history and draws from Nabokov’s own experiences teaching in and fitting into American society. Also a chilling look at immigration culture in the U.S., Pnin is a solid study of Nabokov’s unique narrative style.
9. Life of Arseniev, Ivan Bunin: Bunin was the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1933, and this work — published three years earlier — has been called "one of the most remarkable phenomena of the world literature." It’s hard to track down, though, and could be very valuable if you snag a copy of your own.
10. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Alexander Solzhenitsyn: Commonly read in high school English and history classes, Solzhenitsyn’s grueling short novel is an addicting, informative read. Solzhenitsyn himself spent eight years in a Soviet labor camp, and describes through his principal character, Ivan Denisovich, how authority, obedience and survival can completely change a person’s perspective.
11. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy: War and Peace is another Russian work of literature that’s commonly cited as one of the most ambitious and intense novels of all time. Virtually every emotion and human conflict is addressed in the novel, which was published in 1869.
12. The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky: Dostoevsky nerds must read this — the last novel — of the great Russian writer and thinker. In fact, Dostoevsky intended this novel to be just the first part of a multi-work series, but died before finishing.
13. Fathers and Sons, Ivan Turgenev: Beloved for its universal theme of generational conflict, Fathers and Sons — published in 1862 — also tackles a familiar Russian theme — liberal, antiestablishment philosophies vs. traditional obedience and conformity.

Short Stories, Drama and Poetry
Here you can dive into Chekhov, Gogol and other greats who influenced poetry, short stories and drama for generations of writers and readers.

14. Chekhov: The Four Major Plays: One of the greatest short story writers and dramatists in history, Anoton Chekhov’s plays are still performed in distinguished theaters around the world. The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and Cherry Orchard are collected here.
15. Stories of Anton Chekhov: Considered the ultimate master of the short story, it’s impossible to pick just a few of Chekhov’s stories to read for study or personal enjoyment. In this collection, you’ll get to read "The Huntsman," "Ward No. 6," The Lady with the Little Dog," and others.
16. The Overcoat and Other Short Stories: Nikolai Gogol — who also inspired a major theme in Jhumpa Lahiri’s 2004 novel The Namesake, is generally credited with establishing the tone and style of Russian prose. Dostoevsky supposedly once said that he and his contemporaries "have all come out from under Gogol’s ‘Overcoat.’" Four stories — including "The Overcoat" are included in this great collection.
17. The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova: A highly regarded female poet in Russian literature is Anna Akhmatova, whose real name was Anna Andreyevna Gorenko. She experimented with different poetical styles and is mostly noted for her harsh critiques and depictions of Stalinism.
18. A Cloud in Trousers: Another rare work, Vladimir Mayakovsky’s 1915 poem "A Cloud in Trousers" is written in layman’s language, an attempt to dispel any romantic notions of poetry and speak directly on behalf of those suffering under revolution and disillusionment at the time.

Nonfiction
Learn more about Russian history from these very different — but very important — works.

19. Lenin’s Tomb, David Remnick: Remnick’s comprehensive but very engaging take on history of the fall of the Soviet Empire ranges from more contemporary times to stories told about the violence of the actual revolution. It’s a journalist endeavor that’s still easy to read and offers a solid behind-the-scenes look at Soviet history and culture.
20. The History of the Russian Revolution, Leon Trotsky: Whether or not you’re sympathetic to Marx, Trotsky and similarly minded philosophers from the early 20th century, you’ll learn a lot about the formation of modern Russia from Trotsky’s account of the 1917 revolution.

(source:http://goo.gl/pOCI3 )

==========================================================