Russia’s output of great literature over two centuries is nothing short of miraculous. Having endured tyranny under their czarist regime, as well as great suffering during two world wars and under Josef Stalin, it seems unlikely that they would have time for sure monumental, soul-searching novels. But don’t be fooled; the Russian literary tradition rivals most if not all countries, and its consistent ambition to define (and even redefine) social conditions has kept even it’s oldest works relevant in the public sphere. Here are twenty of the greatest novels in Mother Russia’s storied history.
Previously to Lermontov’s groundbreaking novel, Russian literature had been populated by short prose works and dominated by the poetry of Evgeni Pushkin. But once Lermontov introduced his character Pechorin, he would go on to set a benchmark for the complexity of characters in Russian fiction. A flawed, non-Romantic figure who must live up to ideals he can’t uphold, Lermontov proclaimed the end of the Romantic era and ushered the great era of realist fiction.
Gogol’s novel about a man who tries to trick landowners into buying their dead serfs (“dead souls”), who are technically still alive until the next Russian census, is a satirical picaresque similar in style to Cervantes but which stands alone for its odd and grotesque caricatures of Russian provincial life. Although Gogol was a self-professed conservative, the younger generations used it to argue against the ills of 19th century Russian society.
Goncharov tied together the social and personal issues of the day with this novel about a member of the gentry grown who is caught between the “idyllic” life of pre-emancipation serfdom and the “new”, more liberated Russia. Combining the romance of Pushkin and the rising school of realism, Oblomov is one of the best records of Russia’s great societal transition.
Fathers and Sons did what many other Russian novels did: pit the younger generation against the old. When Bazarov, a strict nihilist, challenges the well-established mores of Provincial life, he lures the naive towards his radical ideas. But when his beliefs get challenged by the unexpected appearance of passionate love and spirituality, he suffers a crisis that will force him to rethink his entire worldview.
Written while the author was in prison for subversive activities, What is to be Done? became a favorite among the rising left for the next half-century. The novel tells the story of Vera Pavlovna, a woman who looks to be free and emancipate herself from the conservative oppression of the czarist regime. Lenin professed that it was his favorite novel, and he saw its positive-minded protagonists as models for the revolutionaries that would eventually take over the country several decades down the road.
The first of Dostoevsky’s major novels, this presumably simple tale about a murder and its aftermath has remained one of the great preservers of 19th century urban life in Russia, describing everything from poverty, religion, family and of course, evil. When Raskolnikov, a former student enamored by Napoleonic ideals of superiority, decides to commit a murder against a old pawnbroker, it provokes one of the greatest personal transformations ever portrayed in literature.
The Great White Whale of Russian literature, War and Peace is a 1,300 page work that includes hundreds of subplots and characters all intertwining during the failed Napoleonic invasions of 1812. It has been criticized for its narrative looseness, but the transition from innocence to experience of its 5 main characters beautifully details the personal and historical happenings of early 19th century Russia.
Before Oprah Winfrey praised Tolstoy’s great work about adultery and family life in Russia’s aristocratic circles, Karenina was already one of the most important novels in the European canon. Written on a much smaller and personal scope than War and Peace, Karenina has been touted as Russia’s great realist novel, and along with Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and George Eliot’s Middlemarch, it has become an exemplary text of the genre.
It is difficult to exclude many of Dostoevsky’s works, but Karamazov has not only retained its status as one of the seminal works in Russian Literature, but it has also gone on to become one of the most celebrated novels of all time. Part murder-mystery, part exploration of faith, the novel describes the murder of a father at the hand of one of four brothers, and like many other works by this great, troubled visionary, questions in great detail the existence and purpose of God.
One of the first major works of socialist literature, Gorky’s Mother exposed the absurdities of the czarist regime in Russian Provincial life in the late 19th century. Based on the life of his grandmother, this deeply intimate portrayal of a typical Russian life gradually undergoing an ideological metamorphosis would, in a little over a decade, help influence the Bolshevik revolution and change Russia forever.
Nice list. Two of my favourite Russian books are on this list – One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and Crime and Punishment. Although I haven’t read too many of the books on this list, there are other books by many of these authors that I have read. So, I’m going to have to add a few of these to my ever growing TBR list!
Thanks for this great list and another source of inspiration for my reading! Very pleased to say that I have already read three on this list, Crime and Punishment, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. While it’s not on here I have been slowly working my way through Dostoevsky’s The Idiot, another great book.
What a great list! And the summaries were perfectly written. Not a spoiler in the bunch. Well done.
Where is M.Sholakhov?
Pushkin is missing, great list though
I believe Pushkin only had one novel. I didn’t consider Eugene Onegin as a Russian ‘novelist’ because his novel didn’t belong the actual novel-centric tradition in the country. Novels in Russia have historically been political protests or acts of subversion, and their approach to the serf/master plebian/czarist nihilist/orthodox relationships was hugely relevant to the national dialogue. Eugene Onegin belonged at the end of a previous era, where the Romantic view of Russian society dissipated with radical liberalizing views.
What about “Crime and Punishment” ??? One of the greatest novels on pride, evil and redemption: a philosophical and religious novel far above any politics.
Pushkin wrote not only poems, but prose too. I think, “The Daughter of the Commandant” is his most famouse novel.
Alexander Pushkin was a novelist who always put emphasis on the positive sides of life; therefore, only very discerning readers will recognize the subtle negative aspects that he tries to weave into the broader plot. Eugene Onegin is a baron who tries many things in life but fails to execute his goals. In rejecting Tatiana’s letter and plea for a relationship, he exemplifies his careless disposition, and thus confirms the assertion that Pushkin was trying to make (and that many other Russian novelists later made): that Russia’s baron class over the years became demoralized – useless to say the least – because of its power and wealth. Eugene Onegin is a representation of the typical Russian baron who values material comfort over emotional well-being. Thus, Eugene Onegin is the predecessor to all other ‘rebellious’ Russian literature. In fact, what distinguished Pushkin from other authors of the century was his ability to remain optimistic and convey a positive plot line while still stirring a feeling of unhappiness with the oppressive regime. In conclusion, I must disagree with the previous comment and urge people to read Eugene Onegin to understand the pluses and minuses of Russian life at the start of the nineteenth century.
Another great list! Dostoevsky is one of my favorite writers of all time, and I know quite a few of these other works, but there are plenty more I can’t wait to check out.
i love Summer and Russian writers….as upside down as that is.. thanks for the list.. I’m goinf to find them all…hope one day to see Russia .
About Aleksandr Pushkin…He wrote amazing Belkin Tales. This is a series of 5 short stories. Lev Tolstoy said about Pushkin – I dont like Pushkin-poet, but i like very much Pushkin-writer.
If you have an appreciation of Salvador Dali or Spike
Milligan and any interest in the Political Machine, then Bulgakov is a must.
What about GULAG Archipelago? Great book about one of the most tragic pages in Russian history…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813332893/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0813332893&linkCode=as2&tag=thougpictuand-20
It is, sadly, not a work fiction.
very interesting list. I have read quite a few of them (though not in english – much better I have read them in my mother tongue). Lermontov’s Hero of our days is a fav. I’m much surprized at the mention of this book as most of the people who are ardent russian fans missed it. well, other than that, i’ve read both the entries for tolstoy, gorky’s mother, crime and punishment, Turgenev’s fathers and sons.
Ruth.. Hero of our time is my first Russian book and was amazing… It motivated me to read the rest..have you Try gogol you’d love’em
I have read many of them. Best one is dead souls. It made my university life memorable…… I hope to taste dr. Shivago next
hello , i m also indian, i read a book named “kunwari raat ka jaagran” its russian revolutionary time novel, can you provide me the details of that book such english name and have two parts of it ,
Reply on this email vijayyiwu@hotmail.com,
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vijay
Dead Souls is my favourite book. Thanks for this list!
It’s great to see “Matka” in this list. It’s very debatable in Russia, though. (I’m Russian)
Pay attention to Pelevin, One of the greatest russian authors of all time.
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a little surprised to see Pelevin in this list…
Read a few books by Russian authors viz sholokov,tolostoy d.evesky gorky & found them captivating but yeh dil mange DEAD SOULS this time by N gogol.
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Such exquisite culture in such a savage land. This part of Russia is unforgettably portrayed with rage and olympian humour by Solsjenitsyn in the Gulag-masterpeice
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hello , i m also indian, i read a book named “kunwari raat ka jaagran” its russian revolutionary time novel, can you provide me the details of that book such english name and have two parts of it ,
Reply on this email vijayyiwu@hotmail.com,
thanks
vijay
No Lolita? Unthinkably excluded.
Perhaps it would have been included had this been a list of books written in English. Lolita was only translated into Russian.
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Missing Master and Margarita! What a book that is…
It’s in there. The list appears chronological and M&M is listed later than you’d expect because it is listed by publication date. the book came out decades after bulgakov died.
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Great work, except the mistake in the Puskin’s name. He was Alexander, not Evgeni.
Noone said that Pushkin’s name is Evgeni…Evgeni Onegin is his
novel
and, btw, true; Bukgakov is missing, Master and Margerita is a masterpiece
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I like this list. I am going to reread some of them. Russian literature has been difficult for me to digest, especially the works of Dostoyevsky. They should definitely be reread many times.
Also try the Interlinear Russian book of Tolstoy on The death of Ivan Illyich (on http://interlinearbooks.com/russian)
I can’t believe you even dare to mention the name “Oprah” in the same sentence as Tolstoy…
gud list …. well done
Thanks!
Great list. I’ve read fourteen of these but one of my favourite Russian novels is missing – Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman surely must make it onto any Russian top 20…..
It’s very nice list. I am thankful for this. But this is not fair that alrxrnder puskin’s name is missing from this list. he is also a great auther of whole over the world.
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great list….but pushkin should have been included…and also boris with his masterpiece dr.zhivago
You have compiled a very good list. Russian authors are by far my favorite. The authors listed have many fine books and it would benefit your readers to do a search of them. Thank you.
Where is Lolita? Nabokov was and remains a pioneer of his and our time.
The list is wee compiled though the names of certain great books by Alexander Solzhiestin like ” August 1914″ & ” Cancer Ward” are missing.Both are terrific reading.
Good list and some interesting inclusions, especially the second half. But what is the cover of a Biggles book doing where Nabokov’s The Gift should be?
Turgenevs short stories, for instance First Love, also should be in this list I think. They are highlights in Russian literature.