The best works of Russian literature. The best works of classical world literature that are worth reading for the soul

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By Russian classical literature we mean the works of classics: writers who are not only exemplary, but also who have become symbols of Russian culture. Only the person who knows classical works, appreciates their merits, feels them inner beauty, can be considered truly educated. Today you will find out by opinion women's magazine Charla.

10 best books of Russian literature: “The Brothers Karamazov”

Perhaps this novel can be considered the most complex and controversial work of the great Russian writer. Critics have dubbed it an “intellectual detective story,” and many call it the best work about the mysterious Russian soul. This is the last and one of the most famous novels Dostoevsky, it was filmed both here and in the West, where, by the way, this work is held in special esteem. What is this novel about? Each reader answers this question differently. The author himself defined his great creation as “a novel about blasphemy and its refutation.” One thing is certain, this is one of the most profound philosophical works of world literature about sin, mercy, and the eternal struggle occurring in the human soul.

10 best books of Russian literature: “The Idiot” by Fyodor Dostoevsky

10 best books of Russian literature: “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy

The tragic novel about the love of married Anna Karenina for the handsome officer Vronsky is one of greatest masterpieces Russian literature, relevant today. "All happy families are similar to each other, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” - these lines are familiar to every person.

"Anna Karenina"- a complex, deep, psychologically sophisticated work that captures the reader from the first lines and does not let go until the end. The novel by the brilliant psychologist Tolstoy captivates with its absolute artistic authenticity and dramatic narrative, forcing the reader to watch intensely how the relationship will develop between Anna Karenina and Vronsky, Levin and Kitty. It is not surprising that this book captivated not only Russian readers, but also Europe and America.

10 best books of Russian literature: “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov

10 best books of Russian literature: “Dead Souls” by Nikolai Gogol

The novel was originally conceived in three volumes. The first volume was published in 1842. However further events have a mystical connotation: having finished the second volume, Gogol completely burned it - only a few chapters remained in drafts. And ten days after that the writer died...

10 best books of Russian literature: “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak

10 best books of Russian literature: collection of stories “Dark Alleys” by Ivan Bunin

10 best books of Russian literature: “Quiet Don” by Mikhail Sholokhov

10 best books of Russian literature: “The Gulag Archipelago” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Of course, this is far from full list outstanding books of Russian literature. Nevertheless, these are books that every person who appreciates and honors Russian culture should know.

Alisa Terentyeva

This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age

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Fund classical literature at different times they were replenished by outstanding geniuses of their peoples and their era. We love them for the opportunity to plunge into the world of the distant past, which is why classical literature remains popular at all times.

Classical literature: general characteristics

It happens that a certain mood makes us pay attention to classic books, because the most famous works often the best. Not in vain, because it was these best works that inspired others famous authors- representatives of subsequent popular generations in literature. Golden classics, an eternal series of books, will be a salvation for those who are not seduced by modern literary works, after all, it was the authors from this list of classics who were genre pioneers long before the postmodern era arrived, and the literary world flared up with all the genre diversity that was difficult to even imagine in the conventional 19th century. Nevertheless, all this became possible precisely thanks to the classics, as evidenced by numerous reviews.

Books of world classics: list

As you know, classical works are not just books, but also markers of an era, which are considered exemplary examples of how the best writers saw their literary heritage. Moreover, most often the problem classical works resonates with the worldview of an entire generation, which makes the mass reader love these books with all his soul. This is also the reason that these books are often included in school curriculum different countries, because such works help to understand what a whole cross-section of society was thinking and breathing in a specific time frame.

This list shows just a few best samples classical literature. But if you are wondering what to read from the literature included in the golden fund of world culture, then here you will definitely find something for yourself.

Works of classical literature, undoubtedly, are the foundations of the foundations: they contain the culture, history, philosophy of the people about whom the authors narrated in their works. Russian literature occupies a fairly significant place in the niche of world classical literature: great amount works of domestic authors are read with pleasure abroad. We will try to consider 15 of the most iconic works of Russian classical literature, which everyone should be familiar with.

A.S. Pushkin "Eugene Onegin"

The most famous novel in verse tells us unusual story love between the main character, Evgeny Onegin and Tatyana. Their feelings are born in different time and influence the characters in different ways: having fallen in love first, Tatyana, after an explanation with her beloved, withdraws into herself, but, in essence, remains herself. Onegin’s feeling, which flared up much later, changes him beyond recognition. He appears before the reader full of passion and tenderness, having lost his former coldness and pride and is capable of real, sincere, human feeling. Against the background of the main storyline, the remaining actions of the novel unfold, during which the Russian poet raises a huge number of important problems, such as, for example, the social, everyday and cultural way of the entire Russian society of the early 19th century.

A.N. Ostrovsky "Dowry"

An immortal play that tells the story of sad fate Russian women, the heartlessness of rich people and the petty-bourgeois character of small people. It was superbly filmed by E. Ryazanov.

Stories by A.P. Chekhov

Chekhov wrote many stories, both funny and tragic. Chekhov's main character is an ordinary person with his own daily affairs and worries. The stories “Rothschild’s Violin”, “Ward No. 6”, “The Cure for Hard-drinking”, “The Man in a Case”, “Tears Invisible to the World”, etc. tell us that no one else understood the soul of the Russian person like Chekhov. Despite the genre, Chekhov's stories are precious stone Russian literature.

A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"

The main idea of ​​Griboedov's comedy is expressed in the title of the work. The main character, Chatsky, who returned from abroad, comes to the house of the nobleman Famusov to see his daughter Sophia, his ex-lover. This is where it happens, his rather unpleasant encounter with everything " Famusovsky society": by Famusov, Sofia, Molchalin, Skalozub themselves, who live fenced off from the world with their stereotypes and long-outdated views on the world. They instantly take Chatsky, a progressive, educated man who looks at the world differently, as crazy and dangerous to society. The problem of a person who stands out from the stereotypical crowd and because of this is not accepted by society, so acutely posed by Griboyedov, is still relevant to this day.

L.N. Tolstoy "Anna Karenina"

Main story line of this novel - tragic story love between married Anna Karenina and officer Vronsky. Meeting your true love changes Anna's life, she is ready to sacrifice everything for her, but does not see a reciprocal gesture in her direction from her lover. The heroine, forced to struggle with her own feelings and public contempt, decides to throw herself under a train. The problematics of the work are questions about marriage, love and family that concern modern society no less than at the time of writing this novel.

L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace"

Tolstoy's epic novel describes the life of Russian society during the period Patriotic War with Napoleon, hence the title of the novel. Scenes of war give way to scenes peaceful life, where are hundreds acting heroes reveal to readers their character, their spiritual qualities and life values. Among the huge number of heroes, Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky stand out from the rest, whose names are known even to those who are not familiar with this novel. The first is soft, afraid of committing wrong acts, and non-conflict later becomes a Decembrist. Bolkonsky, presented at the beginning of the novel as cold, tired of the entire society surrounding him, is revealed as a sensitive nature, capable of feats for the sake of his Motherland and for strong feeling towards the woman he loves. This novel certainly deserves the attention of any literature connoisseur for its variety of problems raised and all the brightness and contrast of the social life described.

F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment"

The plot of the socio-psychological novel is based on the murder of an old pawnbroker by Rodion Raskolnikov and his subsequent state of mind, the search for an answer to the question “is he a trembling creature or does he have the right.” The reader is immediately struck by the problem of poverty raised by the author, which, in part, pushes Raskolnikov to commit a terrible act. But here the author’s idea about faith in goodness and love, the ability to forgive and those bright feelings, which must suppress cruelty in the struggle for power.

M.A. Sholokhov "Quiet Don"

Sholokhov's novel touches on pictures of the life of the Cossacks, their traditions, customs and life values. Their cruel, strict morals of life make the Cossacks special, and what unfolds against this background Forbidden love Gregory and Aksinya - extraordinary, contrary to all the rules, rebellious, but sincere to the depths of the soul.

N.V. Gogol "The Inspector General"

Everyone famous comedy Gogol's "The Inspector General" sets as its primary goal the ridicule of the city authorities, who, having learned about the arrival of the inspector, became seriously worried, and then, in his presence, began to openly grovel before him, missing only one important detail- Khlestakov, whom they mistook for an auditor, turned out to be the most ordinary cunning and deceiver from the street. The problems of bribery, neglect of one's duties, pettiness and cowardice are highlighted in Gogol's comedy.

N.V. Gogol "Dead Souls"

The book tells about the adventures of Chichikov Pavel Ivanovich, the main character of the poem, a former collegiate adviser posing as a landowner. Chichikov arrives in an unnamed town, a certain provincial “city N”, and immediately tries to gain the trust of all any important inhabitants of the city, which he successfully succeeds in doing. The hero becomes an extremely welcome guest at balls and dinners. The townspeople of the unnamed city have no idea about Chichikov's true goals. And its goal is to buy up or acquire free of charge dead peasants who, according to the census, were still listed as living among local landowners, and then register them in their own name as living.

M.Yu. Lermontov "Hero of Our Time"

It's about spiritual world person. This topic is well covered thanks to the contradictory image of Pechorin. This person is not the most pleasant character, not always noble deeds, but also completely difficult fate. Someone may condemn him for his treatment of Bela, Maksim Maksimych and the princess, someone empathizes with him, especially after his monologue about the difficulty of his fate in “Princess Mary”. Pechorin is a person who is in deep conflict with society, but at the same time, a person who cannot but arouse admiration from this same society for the strength of his personality.

I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons"

The novel became iconic for its time, and the image of the main character Evgeniy Bazarov was perceived by young people as an example to follow. Ideals such as uncompromisingness, lack of admiration for authorities and old truths, the priority of the useful over the beautiful were accepted by the people of that time and were reflected in Bazarov’s worldview.

I.S. Turgenev "Notes of a Hunter"

The classic hunted a lot in the Oryol province. They met him there different people, he followed the life of the Russian people, which he describes in his book. This collection of stories published in 1847-1851 in the Sovremennik magazine and published separate publication in 1852. Three stories were written and added by the author to the collection much later.

M.A. Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

The main theme of the novel “The Master and Margarita” is the search for truth, the search for oneself, one’s personality, one’s direction, life path. The Master's novel is presented here as truth, but one who has comprehended and found the truth inevitably becomes mentally ill. One of the main ideas in the novel is also the struggle between good and evil, which affects all the heroes of the novel, intertwining the genres of fiction, satire and philosophy. Although the novel was published in Soviet time, it has become an undisputed classic.

M.A. Bulgakov "Heart of a Dog"

At the heart of the story " dog's heart" - a story about how Professor Preobrazhensky decides to transplant a human pituitary gland and ovaries into a homeless dog. His fantastic experiment ends with the transformation of a cute stray dog ​​into a disgusting representative of the proletariat, Sharikov. The problem of the proletariat, by the way, is one of the main issues of the story. The post-revolutionary structure of society, which causes Preobrazhensky's undisguised irritation, makes the reader think deeply.

Of all the works of world literature, one could easily make a list of hundreds or even thousands of the best. Some of them are required to be studied in school; you become acquainted with other authors in your adult life, and sometimes you carry your favorite works with you throughout your life. Every year new books appear, written by equally talented authors, many of them are successfully filmed, and it seems that printed publications are becoming a thing of the past. But despite this, the best works of world literature remain for modern reader always interesting and relevant.

Today this novel could be called a woman's novel, if not for the skill and special ironic style of the author. Jane Austen very accurately conveys the entire atmosphere that reigned at that time in aristocratic English society. The book touches on issues that always remain relevant: upbringing, marriage, morality, education. The novel, published only 15 years after it was written, completes the top 10 best works of world literature.

Thanks to the novel, the reader is able to plunge into the era that took hold after the First World War in the United States. This work of world literature describes not only the cheerful and carefree life of rich American youth, but also its other side. The author shows that the main character of the novel, Jay Gatsby, wasted his abilities and irrepressible energy on empty goals: a luxurious life and a stupid spoiled woman. The book received especially popular in the 50s of the last century. In many English-speaking countries of the world, the work is included in compulsory literature courses.

The book is based on the story of the relationship between an adult man in love and a twelve-year-old girl. The immoral lifestyle of the main character Humbert and young Lolita does not bring them happiness and leads to a tragic ending. The work was successfully filmed several times and is still considered one of the best in world literature. A scandalous novel, which, at the same time as problems, brought fame and prosperity to the author, in different years was banned from publication in France, England, South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand.

This is one of the best works not only of literature, but also of world drama. The plot of the play is based on a tragic story Danish prince, who wants to take revenge on his uncle for the murder of the king's father. The first production of the work on stage dates back to 1600. Shakespeare himself played the shadow of Hamlet's father. The tragedy has been translated more than 30 times into Russian alone. IN different countries world, the work is sold and enjoys popularity, as in theatrical productions, and on the screen.

The author in his philosophical and psychological novel touches on issues of good and evil, freedom, morality and responsibility. The main character of the work, Rodion Raskolnikov, commits murder for the sake of possible wealth, but pangs of conscience begin to haunt him. The beggar student first hides his gain, and then confesses to the crime. Raskolnikov was sentenced to eight years of hard labor, to serve which his beloved Sonya Marmeladova comes to help him. This work is required for study in a school literature course.

The second work of the ancient Greek poet Homer, written in the 8th century BC, marked the beginning of all world literature. The work tells the story of the life of the mythical hero Odysseus, who returns after Trojan War to Ithaca, where his wife Penelope is waiting for him. Along the way, the navigator hero is warned of dangers, but an irresistible desire to be at home with his family, as well as intelligence, prudence, resourcefulness, and cunning help him emerge victorious in battles and return to his wife. Over the years, Homer's poem has been recognized as the best among other works of world literature.

The main work of the life of the modernist writer is a seven-volume epic, called one of the best works of the 20th century. All novels in the series are semi-autobiographical. The prototypes of the heroes were people from the writer’s real environment. All volumes were published in France from 1913 to 1927, the last three of them were published after the author's death. The work is considered a classic French literature, and has been translated into several languages ​​around the world.

One of key works era of realism was first published in France in 1856. A special feature of the novel is the use of elements of literary naturalism in its writing. The author so clearly depicted all the details in the appearance and character of people that there was absolutely nothing left in his work. goodies. According to most modern publications, the work “Madame Bovary” is one of the three best in world literature. This was also noted by I.S. Turgenev, who was a fan of the work of the realist prose writer Gustave Flaubert.

An epic novel by the great Russian writer L.N. From the moment of its first publication to this day, Tolstoy is considered a masterpiece of world literature. The book is amazing in its scope. The work shows the life of different strata of Russian society during the era of the Napoleonic wars of 1905-1912. The author, as an expert in the psychology of his people, was able to accurately reflect these features in the character and behavior of his heroes. It is known that the handwritten text of the novel is more than 5 thousand pages. The work "War and Peace" has been translated into different languages world and has been filmed more than 10 times.

The work that topped the list is considered a bestseller in world literature. Main character The novel, created by a Spanish writer, more than once became the prototype for the works of other authors. The personality of Don Quixote has always been under close attention and study by literary scholars, philosophers, classics of world literature and critics. Cervantes' story about the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza has been filmed more than 50 times, and a virtual museum was even opened in Moscow in honor of the main character.

Many of us have been left with the conviction from school that for the most part Russian classics are rather boring and unimaginably drawn out works of several hundred pages about the hardships of life, mental suffering and philosophical quests main characters. We have collected Russian classics that are impossible not to read to the end.

Anatoly Pristavkin “The golden cloud spent the night”

“The golden cloud spent the night” by Anatoly Pristavkin- a piercingly tragic story that happened to orphaned twin brothers Sashka and Kolka Kuzmin, evacuated along with the rest of the pupils orphanage during the war in the Caucasus. Here it was decided to establish a labor colony to develop the land. Children turn out to be innocent victims of government policies towards the peoples of the Caucasus. This is one of the most powerful and honest stories about war orphans and the deportation of the Caucasian peoples. “The Golden Cloud Spent the Night” has been translated into 30 languages ​​of the world and is rightfully one of the best works of Russian classics. 10th place in our ranking.

Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago"

Novel Boris Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago", which brought him world fame and the Nobel Prize - in 9th place in the list of the best works of Russian classics. For his novel, Pasternak was sharply criticized by representatives of the official literary world countries. The book's manuscript was banned from publication, and the writer himself, under pressure, was forced to refuse to receive the prestigious award. After Pasternak's death, it was transferred to his son.

Mikhail Sholokhov "Quiet Don"

In terms of the scale and scope of the period of life of the main characters described in it, it can be compared with “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. This is an epic story about the life and destinies of representatives of the Don Cossacks. The novel covers three most difficult eras of the country: the First world war, the revolution of 1917 and Civil War. What happened in the souls of people in those days, what reasons forced them to stand up different sides barricades of family and friends? The writer tries to answer these questions in one of the best works of Russian classical literature. “Quiet Don” is in 8th place in our ranking.

Stories by Anton Chekhov

A generally recognized classic of Russian literature, they occupy 7th place on our list. One of the most famous playwrights in the world, wrote more than 300 works different genres and died very early, at 44 years old. Chekhov's stories, ironic, funny and eccentric, reflected the realities of life of that era. They have not lost their relevance even now. Its peculiarity short works– do not answer questions, but ask them to the reader.

I. Ilf and E. Petrov “Twelve Chairs”

Novels by writers with a wonderful sense of humor I. Ilf and E. Petrov “The Twelve Chairs” and “The Golden Calf” take 6th place among the best works of Russian classics. After reading them, every reader will understand that classical literature is not only interesting and exciting, but also funny. The adventures of the great schemer Ostap Bender, the main character of the books by Ilf and Petrov, will not leave anyone indifferent. Immediately after the first publication, the writers' works were received ambiguously in literary circles. But time has shown their artistic value.

In fifth place in our ranking of the best works of Russian classics - "The Gulag Archipelago" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. It's not only great novel about one of the most difficult and terrible periods in the history of the country - repressions in the USSR, but also autobiographical work, based on the author’s personal experience, as well as letters and memoirs of more than two hundred camp prisoners. The release of the novel in the West was accompanied by loud scandal and persecution launched against Solzhenitsyn and other dissidents. Publication of The Gulag Archipelago became possible in the USSR only in 1990. The novel is among best books of the century.

Nikolai Gogol “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a universally recognized classic of world significance. The crowning achievement of his work is considered to be the novel “Dead Souls,” the second volume of which was destroyed by the author himself. But our ranking of the best works of Russian classics includes the first book Gogol – “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”. It’s hard to believe that the stories included in the book and written with sparkling humor were practically Gogol’s first experience in writing. Pushkin left a flattering review of the work, who was sincerely amazed and fascinated by Gogol’s stories, written in a living, poetic language without feigned affectation and stiffness.

The events described in the book take place in different time periods: in XVII, XVIII XIX centuries.

Fyodor Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment"

Novel “Crime and Punishment” by F. M. Dostoevsky takes third place in the list of the best works of Russian classics. He received the status cult book of global significance. This is one of the most frequently filmed books. It's not only deep philosophical work, in which the author poses to readers the problems of moral responsibility, good and evil, but also a psychological drama and a fascinating detective story. The author shows the reader the process of transforming a talented and respectable young man into a killer. He is no less interested in the possibility of Raskolnikov’s atonement for his guilt.

Great epic novel Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy "War and Peace", the volume of which has terrified schoolchildren for many decades, is actually very interesting. It covers the period of several military campaigns against the strongest France at that time, led by Napoleon Bonaparte. This is one of the brightest examples of the best works of not only Russian, but also world classics. The novel is recognized as one of the most epic works in world literature. Here every reader will find his favorite topic: love, war, courage.

Mikhail Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

Topping our list of examples of the best classical literature is the amazing novel. The author never lived to see the publication of his book - it was published 30 years after his death.

The Master and Margarita - so complex work, that not a single attempt to film the novel has been successful. The figures of Woland, the Master and Margarita require filigree accuracy in conveying their images. Unfortunately, no actor has yet managed to achieve this. The film adaptation of the novel by director Vladimir Bortko can be considered the most successful.