Classic works of Russian literature about love. Quiet Don, Mikhail Sholokhov

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The most recognized classic literature - a list of the best books. World foreign and Russian classics. Highly recommended. 😉

Sylvia Plath. Under a glass cover

Esther Greenwood is invited to New York for an internship at a women's fashion magazine. She goes there, determined to conquer the city and become a writer. But behind the magnificent scenes hides an indifferent society and the difficulties of adulthood. Esther loses control of herself and is overcome by depression and loneliness. Further

Ken Kesey. Over the cuckoo's nest

The work, which describes harsh and extremely honest images of the points of contact between common sense and madness, brought Ken Kesey the title of the most talented writer. At the time of its appearance, the novel was popular among representatives of the beat movement and hippies, but even today it has not lost its relevance. Further

William Somerset Maugham. Theater

What does the book hide in itself? An elegant and sarcastic narrative by an incomparable, witty actress who is going through a midlife crisis while dating a young thief of women's hearts? Vanity stories of the roaring twenties? Or is this an exciting romance for all times? One thing is for sure, “Theatre” will appeal to even the most fastidious reader. Further

This book will be an assistant for schoolchildren of all ages. With it, neither children nor parents will have to spend a lot of their time searching for a specific work: the collection already contains a large amount of necessary literature, which teachers advise reading. Further

The main character, who is a bank employee, is suddenly arrested on the day he turns 30. But he is not taken into custody, and he takes advantage of this to try to figure out what he did wrong. In this process, he becomes more and more immersed in the judicial world. Will the hero be able to figure out what the accusation is? Further

Kerouac became famous all over the world thanks to his work “On the Road,” although the attitude of different people towards him was very contradictory. The novel, in a very unusual, non-linear way, tells the story of the plight and suffering of one generation of people, and in the center of attention is Dean, a witty man who loves drink and women. Further

A famous novel in Polish classics, written in the historical genre. Events take place in the mid-16th century. Then the Swedes were eager to conquer Poland. But the Poles also caused confusion among their people: some went over to the side of their enemies, others tried with all their might to defend their land. And in the center of events are the adventures of a couple in love. Further

A novel that will be relevant at all times. The book touches on themes of religion and philosophy, which are beautifully revealed in an ideally constructed plot: the actions of each character carry great meaning. In this work, the author showed how one can avoid immorality in society. Further

The original opposite of the well-known dystopia “Wonderful World”. What's worse for people? A consumerist society driven to the point of meaninglessness? Or a society dominated by ideas, which led to ideal perfection? Orwell believes that the worst thing is the massive loss of freedom. Further

The book tells the story of generations of the Buendia family. Events during the war, forbidden love between family members, the appearance of new people, magic - all this can be found in the work of Marquez. The novel involves the reader in the feelings of each character: his experiences and loneliness are acutely felt. Further

The tragedies of people in wartime, the problems of the lost generation. This book will reveal the range of all feelings from love to betrayal. The heroes of the novel are three friends who are united by the front; their feelings, thoughts about the past, desires and dreams are described. This work is for those who want to immerse themselves in the life of the last century. Further

The book that laid the foundation for the culture of European postmodernism. It can be perceived in different ways: a masterpiece novel of avant-gardeism, written in the style of surrealist philosophy, or, conversely, a masterpiece philosophical story written in the style of a novel with surrealism. Further

The busy life of the 20s of the last century, when it was popular to throw luxurious parties, when people were confident that they would find happiness only after achieving great heights of power and wealth. And Gatsby, who unsuccessfully chased the dream of love, was inherent in all this. Further

The boys, who had only recently graduated from school and had not yet had time to experience adult life, found themselves in a war that spares no one, together with their teacher. Young men try to find joy in the most ordinary things, in things that they never paid attention to before, because every day could be their last. Further

Events take place in a sanatorium where there are people suffering from tuberculosis. I feel acutely cut off from the rest of the world, with which I can occasionally communicate via mail. Here no one is afraid of death anymore, everyone desperately clings to the slightest manifestations of relationships between people, this helps not to go crazy. Further

A masterpiece of literary art that will never lose its relevance: people of all times will read this book with great pleasure. Jane Austen was the first to show that the novel could be a serious genre without the superficiality of its plot. With this she won everyone's love. Further

A book that takes you headlong into the story of the plight of two brothers and a sister who begin to live separate lives after their father dies. Everyone along the way encounters many obstacles that prevent them from finally achieving their dreams. The work teaches you to find happiness in what you already have, but have not yet learned to appreciate. Further

Hugo writes about how people who are not accepted by society live. For example, a man who was sentenced to 20 years because he was caught stealing bread because his poor family was starving; or the boy who lived on the street. The novel touches on themes of crime, police, politics and the church. Further

At the time of the first delivery of the novel, books were subject to strict censorship; the publication of forbidden topics could not be allowed, so this work was cut by almost a third. This version of the book is compiled from all materials that were found in the archive; it is the first complete edition that you can read. Further

An excellently written work that was awarded a film adaptation. But if you want to feel the whole gamut of emotions and be completely immersed in a deep story about the crazy, unrequited love of a beautiful paralyzed girl for a soldier, then you should read this novel by Zweig. Further

It was the world's most popular classic literature - a list of the best books. Not all Russian and foreign classics are here, but if you have favorite works, write about them in the comments and we will add them to the list. 😉

The current generation now sees everything clearly, marvels at the errors, laughs at the foolishness of its ancestors, it is not in vain that this chronicle is inscribed with heavenly fire, that every letter in it screams, that a piercing finger is directed from everywhere at it, at it, at the current generation; but the current generation laughs and arrogantly, proudly begins a series of new errors, which posterity will also laugh at later. "Dead Souls"

In the hearts of simple people, the feeling of the beauty and grandeur of nature is stronger, a hundred times more vivid, than in us, enthusiastic storytellers in words and on paper."Hero of our time"

And everywhere there is sound, and everywhere there is light,
And all the worlds have one beginning,
And there is nothing in nature
Whatever breathes love.

But others are not an example to me,
And my charter is simple and strict.
My verse is a pioneer boy,
Lightly dressed, barefoot.
1926

"At the bottom"

"Whirlwind Rus'"

Mikhail Andreevich Osorgin (Ilyin) (1878 - 1942)
How strange /.../ There are so many cheerful and cheerful books, so many brilliant and witty philosophical truths, but there is nothing more comforting than Ecclesiastes.

"Poetry of the Word"

Many of us have been left with the conviction since 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 the philosophical quests of the 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 is a piercingly tragic story that happened to the orphaned twin brothers Sashka and Kolka Kuzmin, who were evacuated along with the rest of the orphanage pupils to the Caucasus during the war. 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 country's official literary world. 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 of the country's most difficult eras: the First World War, the 1917 Revolution and the Civil War. What was going on in the souls of people in those days, what reasons forced relatives and friends to stand on opposite sides of the barricades? 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, he wrote more than 300 works of various 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. The peculiarity of his short works is not to answer questions, but to 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. This is not only a great novel about one of the most difficult and terrible periods in the history of the country - repressions in the USSR, but also an 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 a 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. It has received the status of a cult book of world significance. This is one of the most frequently filmed books. This is not only a deeply 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 turning 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 is such a 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.

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: a huge number of works by Russian 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 famous novel in verse tells us an unusual love story between the main character, Evgeny Onegin and Tatyana. Their feelings are born at different times and influence the characters differently: Tatyana, who fell in love first, 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 about the sad fate of 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 a gem of 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 has returned from abroad, comes to the house of the nobleman Famusov to see his daughter Sophia, his former lover. This is where his rather unpleasant meeting takes place with the entire “Famusov society”: Famusov himself, Sophia, Molchalin, Skalozub, 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"

The main plot line of this novel is a tragic love story between married Anna Karenina and officer Vronsky. Meeting her 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, which 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 Patriotic War with Napoleon, hence the title of the novel. Scenes of war give way to scenes of peaceful life, where hundreds of active 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 around him, is revealed as a sensitive nature, capable of a feat for the sake of his Motherland and of strong feelings 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, about the ability to forgive and about those bright feelings that should suppress cruelty in the struggle for power borders.

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 the forbidden love of Gregory and Aksinya unfolding against this background is extraordinary, contrary to all the rules, rebellious, but sincere to the core.

N.V. Gogol "The Inspector General"

Gogol’s well-known comedy “The Inspector General” sets as its primary goal ridicule 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, accepted them for the auditor, turned out to be the most ordinary sly 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"

We will talk about the spiritual world of man. 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 a very 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. There he met different people, he followed the life of the Russian people, which he describes in his book. This is a collection of stories published in 1847-1851 in the Sovremennik magazine and published as a separate edition 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, one’s path in life. 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 times, it has become an undisputed classic work.

M.A. Bulgakov "Heart of a Dog"

The story “Heart of a Dog” is based on the story of 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.

The works of the classics are like good wine - they are aged and tested by time and a huge number of readers. Many of these books are universal: they heal the soul, look for answers to the eternal questions of existence, entertain, relax, uplift, make you think and give an invaluable opportunity to gain a unique life experience.

Russian classics

"The Master and Margarita", Mikhail Bulgakov

A brilliant masterpiece of world classical literature. An extraordinary, meaningful mystical novel exposing human sins and vices. It intertwined the eternal themes of the struggle between good and evil, death and immortality, as well as an incredible line of love that began with a chance meeting of people created for each other.

"Eugene Onegin", Alexander Pushkin

A good work for those who choose a classic work for self-development. A novel in verse, in which two characters are contrasted: the jaded, bored young man Eugene Onegin and the pure, naive girl Tatyana Larina, who followed a sincere feeling. A story about the growth and development of one personality and the inner emptiness of another.

"Anna Karenina", Leo Tolstoy

Married Anna Karenina falls in love with the young officer Vronsky. He reciprocates her feelings. But the environment turns away from the “fallen woman.” The lovers' desperate attempts to reunite against the backdrop of the morals and customs of the nobility of that time were unsuccessful.

Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak

The story of the generation of the early 20th century, which entered a new era with faith in great changes. However, the trials they had to endure (the civil war, the First World War, the revolution) brought only disappointment and broken hopes. But, despite everything, people gained invaluable experience. The book is full of reflections on the fate of people and the state.

“12 chairs”, Evgeny Petrov, Ilya Ilf

The story is about two adventurers looking for diamonds hidden in the chairs of Madame Petukhova’s living room set. The novel-feuilleton is incredibly fascinating, imbued with sharp humor and inexhaustible optimism. It will provide several exciting evenings for those who have not yet read the book, and will cheer up those who have taken it up again.

"Heart of a Dog", Mikhail Bulgakov

Professor Preobrazhensky explores rejuvenation methods. One day he brings a stray dog ​​Sharik from the street and gives him a pituitary gland transplant from the deceased Klim Chugunkin, a drunkard and hooligan. Instead of a kind, flexible animal, you get a creature with an absolutely disgusting character and habits. The novel demonstrates the history of the relationship between the intelligentsia and the “new breed” of man.

“The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Soldier Ivan Chonkin”, Vladimir Voinovich

A wonderful choice of work to read on vacation, such a light anecdote novel. Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, a plane lands in a small village due to a breakdown. There is no way to tow it, so the simple-minded and ridiculous guard Ivan Chonkin is assigned to him, who eventually transfers his place of duty to the house of the postman Nyura...

“And the dawns here are quiet”, Boris Vasiliev

A tragic story about the unequal confrontation between five female anti-aircraft gunners and a detachment of German saboteurs consisting of 16 people. Dreams about the future and women's stories about their loved ones create a stunning contrast with the brutal reality of war.

"Dowry", Alexander Ostrovsky

The play is about a woman forced to throw in her lot with an inconspicuous, uninteresting and unloved man simply because she does not have a dowry. The man whom she loves and considers ideal is only having fun with her, having no intention of exchanging his rich bride for her.

“Garnet Bracelet”, Alexander Kuprin

Having once seen Princess Vera in the circus box, Georgy Zheltkov fell madly in love with her. He sent her letters, hoping for nothing, since she was married. The love lasted for several years until he decided to give her a garnet bracelet. A wonderful work that is suitable for those who are looking for something to read for the soul.

Foreign literature

The Thorn Birds, Colin McCullough

The epic story of a poor family who later became managers of a large Australian estate. The plot of the novel is based on strong, dramatic feelings between the main character Maggie and the Catholic priest Father Ralph. What will win, love or religion? The work has become one of the most popular romance novels among admirers.

Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

A novel about a strong woman, Scarlett O'Hara, who took care of her family on her shoulders during the difficult years of the American Civil War. The book tells the story of an incredible love story and demonstrates the evolution of the main character's feelings against the backdrop of the trials of war.

"Pride and Prejudice", Jane Austen

England 18th century. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, who have raised five daughters, are thinking about marrying young ladies. Mr. Bingley, who has settled next door, is perfectly suited to the role of the groom. Besides, he has many friends. The book is about how feelings arise and how love helps overcome pride and prejudice.

"The Great Gatsby", Francis Scott Fitzgerald

The book takes place in America during the Jazz Age. The author shows the other side of the notorious “American Dream”. At the center of the story is the story of a rich man and a spendthrift, Gatsby, who is trying to return the woman he loves, who left him when he was still achieving success. Unfortunately, wealth never brought him happiness.

"A Little Sun in Cold Water" by Francoise Sagan

This is a great take on a modern classic. The story is about an affair between Parisian journalist Gilles Lantier and a married woman who left her husband. The work raises the theme of fatigue from life, what is commonly called depression. It seems that the relationship helped Gilles overcome his illness. But is his chosen one happy?

Arc de Triomphe, Erich Maria Remarque

German emigrant Ravik lives illegally and works as a surgeon in pre-war Paris. Returning home late, he notices a woman trying to throw herself off a bridge. Thus begins a romance between an actress named Joan and a German refugee. An unusually beautiful, passionate and sad love story, full of philosophical reflections.

"Notre-Dame de Paris", Victor Hugo

This is a true classic of the historical novel, describing medieval Paris. At the center of the story is the incredible romantic story of the hunchback bell ringer Quasimodo and the gypsy street dancer Esmeralda. However, the author positions Notre Dame Cathedral itself as the main character of the novel, thereby attracting public attention to it.

"Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury

Moments of summer, sealed in bottles - this is dandelion wine. The book is woven from large and small stories that take place throughout the summer, everyday discoveries, the main one of which is that we live, we feel, we breathe. The narrative itself is warm and leisurely. Brothers Douglas and Tom live in a provincial town and through them we see the world through the eyes of 12-year-old children.

"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg

Evelyn, a middle-aged woman, has lost interest in life and eats chocolate for her depression. Once a week she is forced to visit her mother-in-law in a nursing home. There Evelyn meets 86-year-old Ninny, who is full of love and zest for life. Each time the old woman tells stories from her past, which helps Evelyn reconsider her worldview.

"Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey

The main character Randle recklessly chooses the latter between prison and a mental hospital. Here he is trying to change the established rules and teach other patients to enjoy life. An elderly, sullen nurse resists the innovations of a freedom-loving patient out of fear of losing power over the staff and patients.