7 Famous Russian Books that will introduce one to Russia and its mind.
1.
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy, 1869
A must read four volume epic for everyone who want to Know and understand Russia. 30 plus prominent characters representing the various dimensions of the Russian Society - Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre BezulKov, Natasha Rostova are some of the most interesting characters through whom Tolstoy tells the story of life - Love, death, faith and the lack of it.
"The Brothers of Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1879
Dostoevsky's last novel which examines the Russian soul deeply. Dilemmas of his time, the task of surviving in the world, the Christian way of life, should one follow ones emotions, logic or faith..
3.
"Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin, 1833
Popularly considered to be a humorous book, it tells the story of Onegin who on the course of his pursuit of life destroys many lives and finally ending up with nothing. The irony and the wit that structure the story is very thought provoking.
Walter W Arndt's English translation captures the feel of the original very well.
4.
"The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekov, 1909
Chekov's a century old beautiful play continue to be staged even today. It beautifully tells the story of the change from the old world to the new world, how the old generation of the writer's time failed to change with the time and clang to its aristocratic and feudal memories.
5.
"Lower Depths" by Maxim Gorky, 1903
Bolshevik's most prominent writer discusses the concept of what is more important in life "truth or hope" through the life and thoughts of drunkards, prostitutes and others who have fallen to the depth of social life amazing the readers with the versatile 'Russian mind' to discuss and debate on philosophical thoughts even at that lowest of communal level.
6.
"Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak, 1957
The story of a noble Dr. Yuri Zhivago who losses everything in the war and revolution except his dignity and Christian kindness. A wonderful novel which tells us the life and times during the Revolution.
7.
"The master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov
A peek into the lives in Russia during the time of Joseph Stalin, the narration is so ably crafted with the characters like the Devil himself coming to Visit Moscow, the events and incidences giving us a first hand experience of life and mishaps of the time and that too very amusingly. Unfortunately, Mikhail did not lived long enough to see the huge success of his own book which was published 27 years after it was written, long after his death.
