This is not "my" definitive list yet. Most of the 20th century is missing, but it’s a good start. This is the best order I can do for now – How can Onegin be third and not first, but then how can Margarita be lowered? It’s so impossible!
Cool list. I just discovered and am anxious to check out a few of these that I haven’t heard of. I collect and read Russian Literature only in the cold months, Nov. to April. It feels right, I suppose. And I adamantly refuse to read non-Russian lit. during this period-it might enhance my mood.
What about?
1)The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol (better than Dead Souls??)
2)The Sebastopol Sketches by Leo Tolstoy (brilliant, important)
3)A Hero of our Time by Lermontov (very funny, odd)
4)The Three by Maxim Gorky (quirky tale is one of my favourites)
5)Another vote for Chekhov-any of his collections are great.
ARidiculousMan
I think Chekhov should be on this list as he is one of Russia’s great writers- how about a collection of his short stories? A possible book to add in the 20th century area is Victor Pelevin’s “Homo Zapiens” or “Generation P” (Same book, different titles depending on what nation it’s produced in). This book is a trip to read and bluntly examines Russia’s cultural transition from a communist to a capitalist society. Also, “The Winter Queen,” by Akunin, while not one of the greatest works of Russain literature, is part of an extremely popular detective series in Russia right now, somewhat like the Russian version of James Bond. It is a light but enjoyable read.
I’ve been looking for a list like this!
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