What you need to read from the classics. World classics: reading list
Salman Rushdie, The Enchantress of Florence (2008)Rushdie's tenth novel, full of historical metaphors, touches on the important question of what came first - the East or the West. After reading a novel for any history book you look at them as if they were children’s fantasies - condescendingly and without due respect - realizing that there are no unambiguous historical truths, there are speculations and unknown quotes from someone, from which facts are subsequently formed that are bursting at the seams. George Orwell, Animal Farm (1945)
Compulsory reading for all revolutionaries and revolutionary-minded comrades. In his famous dystopia, Orwell clearly demonstrates where “freedom, equality, fraternity” can lead a group of determined people, and that for any slogans there is one big “but” - the desire of some to subjugate and the readiness of others to obey. Like it or not, you draw parallels with the revolution of 1917 and everything that followed it. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking Glass (1871)
The triumph of the absurd, the start of the fantasy genre - and best fairy tale in the world. An amazingly powerful story about the adventures of the girl Alice, first in the rabbit hole, and then on the other side of the mirror. After two fairy tales about Alice, Carroll was called both a philosopher and a prophet, the books were disassembled into quotes, and several cartoons and films were made based on the books. Ken Kesey, Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1962)
The main novel of the beat generation about the confrontation between a freedom-loving patient and an oppressive head nurse in a psychiatric hospital. The book is slightly different from the famous film adaptation with Jack Nicholson in leading role- the book is narrated from the perspective of one of the patients, who is relegated to the background in the film, and attention is concentrated on Nicholson’s character. The novel was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language works from 1923 to 2005. Francis Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925)
A wonderful story about typical American wealth of the early twentieth century - the First World War is behind us, the economy is progressing, those who profited from Prohibition are doing especially well, society is drowning in money and entertainment. Fitzgerald's hero ends up on Long Island, where he meets the cream of society and resists the abyss of parties, beautiful women and good drinks - at the head of the party movement is Gatsby, a strong and contradictory personality. The best book is about how money ruins everything, and taverns and women lead you to what you know. Patrick Suskind, Perfumer. The Story of a Killer (1985)
Only the works of Remarque are more popular than this German novel. Criminal in its essence and incredibly beautiful in its form, the story is about a man who from birth was endowed with a phenomenal sense of smell - as a result, all his life he is a slave to his gift: trying to compose and preserve the perfect aroma, he goes on a murder, one after another, and in ultimately ends tragically. Süskind perfectly conveys aromas in letters, better than, say, the creators of the film adaptation of the novel did it in 2006. Stanley Kubrick himself once thought about a film adaptation, but in the end he came to the conclusion that it was impossible to transfer Süskind’s creation to the screen - it would ruin it . J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (1954)
The film adaptation by Peter Jackson, a famous Tolkienist, is so detailed and scrupulous that, it would seem, there is no need to re-read the source. Error. Being a philologist, an expert on medieval epics Northern Europe, Tolkien created his own separate world based on the Finnish epic Kalevala and the legends of the Arthurian cycle (Celtic history of the British Isles). Yes, so convincingly that thousands of Tolkienists still gather somewhere in the forests and organize role-playing games. Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1797)
His first and, as it became clear later, great novel Austen began writing at the age of 21 - she did not impress the publishers, and for more than 15 years she lay, as they say, under the carpet. Austen always wrote sincerely and realistically - her novels always touch the heartstrings, there is no grace or show off in them, ordinary feelings ordinary people, that is, whatever one may say, a classic. Roald Dahl, Stories with Surprise Endings (1979)
A Welshman with Norwegian roots, a master of paradoxes and something of a genius, Dahl gave us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as Matilda, but he was best at shocking us with his Chekhov-like stories, with the only difference that in the end the reader, as a rule, , eyebrows sharply creep up, and his mouth breaks into an ironic smile. “I only write about what takes your breath away or makes you laugh. The children know that I’m on their side,” Dahl used to say. Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Idiot (1869)
It is absolutely impossible to choose one thing from all of Dostoevsky, so we settled on our favorite. Great work genius man. Dostoevsky - he is always about cleanliness vs. vice. All attempts of the infantile epileptic Prince Myshkin to become an ordinary sinful person lead to nowhere - more precisely, only to a complication of the disease. Women, money, rivalry with other men, power and other temptations have no power over Myshkin - he gradually fades towards the end of the novel, but against the backdrop of total discord in the souls of all the other characters, Myshkin is like the risen Jesus. Iain Banks, Wasp Factory (1984)
Banks' debut in literature, a gothic novel about strange boy Frank, who, as he grows up, learns both the world and himself better, and is not always happy with what he has learned. Some details in the book cause outright nausea and contribute to some kind of pubertal reflections, but in general this is the ideal postmodern in literature: a philosophical presentation, multiplied by some kind of commercial absurdity. Mikhail Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita (1966)
If you believe Bulgakov’s widow, his last words about the novel Master and Margarita before his death were “so that they know... so that they know...”. So that WHAT they know remains a mystery. That talent is not given with impunity? That a person is a little insect with no control over the next second of his life? Be that as it may, the mystical melodrama etched itself into the consciousness of millions - we personally knew people who, after the first few chapters, walked the streets, looking around. If Bulgakov had lived in the USA, the novel would have been filmed in Hollywood during his lifetime. In the USSR, M&M became an underground outlet for the intelligentsia - however, it remains that way to this day. Vladimir Nabokov, The Gift (1938)
You can, of course, read Lolita for your next bedtime. You can grow up a little and swallow a Camera Obscura in a couple of evenings, you can even take a swing at the Luzhin Defense. But in order to go through the entire Gift, from beginning to end, not to get lost in these endless, two-page sentences, to distinguish autobiographical notes from fiction, to master the last, fourth chapter - a book within a book - only a person who needs the WORD in literature can not a matter. Jaroslav Hasek, Adventures good soldier Seamstress (1921)
The good soldier Schweik is somewhat similar to the Hollywood Forrest Gump - a kind of idiot who has a bad life, and he goes to war, and manages not to die there. Intelligent satire in the best execution - many jokes, however, are less understandable to us than to Hasek’s contemporaries, but the mockery of laziness, narrow-mindedness, drunkenness and the lack of any moral principles is obvious and timeless, because these are eternal “values”. I. Ilf, E. Petrov, 12 chairs, Golden Calf (1928)
Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov worked as literary blacks for the famous Soviet writer Valentin Kataev: it was he who invited them to write for him a novel about diamonds sewn into a chair, while he himself went on vacation to Batumi. Arriving some time later and reading the first six pages of the work, he first laughed like crazy, and then told Ilf and Petrov that he had no right to even stand next to these pages, that they were independent creative units - he blessed them, so to speak. What, we must say, HAPPINESS! Albert Camus, The Stranger (1948)
In the list of 100 books of the century by the French newspaper Le Monde, The Outsider comes first. Camus’s laconic (in the novel all the sentences are short, and, as a rule, in the past tense) will subsequently be borrowed by many European writers XX century. The Outsider is about loneliness and hopelessness, about searching for oneself and the meaning of one’s existence. Pure existentialism, headaches and depression. Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea (1938)
The protagonist of the novel is sick of everything that surrounds him, and of himself - he analyzes the meaning of certain actions, discusses with himself the purpose of certain objects - the reader, observing this painstaking thankless work, begins to feel sick by the middle of the book. Nevertheless, Nausea, like any fruit of existentialism, forces us to face the truth: most of our actions have no meaning, what we create does not make us better, there is no peace in religion, there is no happiness in love, life is loneliness. Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go (2005)
It is difficult to attribute this work to any genre. Fantastic? Dystopia? No, more like that alternative history. Children study in closed school. They grow up, prepare homework together, draw, and participate in plays. They grow up knowing that they are different from those others living outside the perimeter. Over time, they learn that their fate is to be a kind of farm for growing donor organs. And now the terrible thing begins adulthood. When Katie or her friend goes through a notch, then another, and for some, a fourth, after which the end comes. And even if they manage to prove that they are also living people, with the same feelings and even capable of love, it will still not give anything. This book is scary because it easily describes terrible things. Only one thing is unclear - why no one is fighting for their future. Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago (1955)
Reading this book, you understand that Nobel Prize It was not in vain that I received Pasternak, no matter what they say. It is not the artistic level of the work that fascinates - Pasternak is more of a poet. And the plot describes all the vicissitudes of a huge, ruthless and completely incomprehensible war, in the very thick of which an ordinary person with his habits and principles finds himself. And one feels sorry for this person and feels bad for him. That he could not adapt to this new life, did not find his place. He became confused and lost all those who were close to him. Aldous Huxley, O Marvelous One, new world (1932)
This story is about a genetically programmed consumer society. Here one is born into an idyllic world and is guaranteed a life of luxury. And the other comes off the assembly line to another level and must be content with what he has. Everything here is orderly and on schedule. There is no evil or crime, there are no obligations, and marriage before 30 is considered defective. And with all this, everyone is happy with what they have and everyone is happy. With your miserable beggarly happiness. Taking into account the 30s, when Huxley created his world, the thought involuntarily creeps in: he knew something!
(Russian) - this is broad concept, and everyone puts their own meaning into it. If you ask readers what associations it evokes in them, the answers will be different. For some, this is the basis of the library collection, others will say that works of classical Russian literature are a kind of example with high artistic merit. For schoolchildren, this is everything that is studied at school. And they will all be absolutely right in their own way. So what is classical literature? Russian literature, today we will talk only about it. We will talk about foreign classics in another article.
Russian literature
There is a generally accepted periodization of formation and development Russian literature. Its history is divided into the following time periods:
What works are called classics?
Many readers are sure that classical literature (Russian) is Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy - that is, the works of those writers who lived in the 19th century. It's not like that at all. It can be classic from both the Middle Ages and the 20th century. By what canons and principles can one determine whether a novel or story is a classic? Firstly, a classical work must have a high artistic value, be a model for others. Secondly, it must have worldwide recognition, it must be included in the fund of world culture.
And you need to be able to distinguish between the concepts of classical and popular literature. A classic is something that has stood the test of time, and oh popular work They can forget quite quickly. If its relevance remains for decades, perhaps it will also become a classic over time.
The origins of Russian classical literature
IN late XVIII century, only the established nobility of Russia split into two opposing camps: conservatives and reformers. This split was due different attitude to the changes that took place in life: Peter's reforms, understanding of the tasks of the Enlightenment, the painful peasant issue, attitude towards power. This struggle of extremes led to the rise of spirituality and self-awareness, which gave birth to Russian classics. We can say that it was forged during the dramatic processes in the country.
Classical literature (Russian), born in the complex and contradictory 18th century, was finally formed in XIX century. Its main features: national identity, maturity, self-awareness.
Russian classical literature of the 19th century
The growth of national consciousness played a major role in the development of culture at that time. More and more is opening up educational institutions, intensifies public importance literature, writers are beginning to pay a lot of attention native language. It made me think even more about what was happening in the country.
Karamzin's influence on the development of 19th-century literature
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, the greatest Russian historian, writer and journalist, was the most influential figure in Russian culture XVIII-XIX centuries His historical stories and the monumental “History of the Russian State” had a huge influence on the work of subsequent writers and poets: Zhukovsky, Pushkin, Griboedov. He is one of the great reformers of the Russian language. Karamzin put it into use a large number of new words, without which we cannot imagine modern speech today.
Russian classical literature: list of the best works
Select and list the best literary works- a difficult task, since each reader has his own preferences and tastes. A novel that will be a masterpiece for one may seem boring and uninteresting to another. How to create a list of classic Russian literature that would satisfy the majority of readers? One way is to conduct surveys. Based on them, one can draw conclusions about which work the readers themselves consider the best of the proposed options. These types of information collection methods are conducted regularly, although the data may change slightly over time.
The list of the best creations of Russian classics, according to versions of literary magazines and Internet portals, looks like this:
Under no circumstances should you consider this list reference. In some ratings and polls, the first place may not be Bulgakov, but Leo Tolstoy or Alexander Pushkin, and some of the listed writers may not be at all. Ratings are an extremely subjective thing. It’s better to make a list of your favorite classics for yourself and focus on it.
The meaning of Russian classical literature
The creators of Russian classics have always had great social responsibility. They never acted as moralizers and did not give ready-made answers in their works. The writers presented the reader with a difficult task and forced him to think about its solution. They raised serious social and social problems, which still have for us great importance. Therefore, Russian classics remain just as relevant today.
Books are one of the greatest legacies humanity. And if before the invention of printing, books were available only to a select caste of people, then books began to spread everywhere. Each new generation gave birth to talented writers who created world masterpieces of literature.
Great works have reached us, but we are reading the classics less and less. The literary portal Buklya presents to your attention the 100 best books of all times and peoples that you must read. In this list you will find not only classical works, but also modern books who left their mark on history quite recently.
1 Mikhail Bulgakov
A novel that doesn't fit into the usual literary framework. This story mixes philosophy and everyday life, theology and fantasy, mysticism and realism, mysticism and lyricism. And all these components are intertwined with skillful hands into a solid and bright story, which can turn your world upside down. And yes, this is Bookly’s favorite book!
2
Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
A book from the school curriculum that is difficult to understand in a gentle way adolescence. The writer showed duality human soul when black intertwines with white. The story is about Raskolnikov, who is going through an internal struggle.
3
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A small story that contains a huge life meaning. A story that makes you look at familiar things differently.
4
Michael Bulgakov
A surprisingly subtle and sarcastic story about people and their vices. The story is about an experiment that proved that you can make a human out of an animal, but you cannot take an “animal” out of a human.
5
Erich Maria Remarque
It is impossible to tell what this novel is about. You need to read the novel, and then you will understand that this is not just a story, but a confession. Confession about love, friendship, pain. A story of despair and struggle.
6
Jerome Salinger
The story of a teenager who shows with his own eyes his perception of the world, his point of view, his renunciation of the usual principles and principles of morality of society that do not fit into his individual framework.
7
Mikhail Lermontov
A lyrical and psychological novel that tells the story of a man with a complex character. The author shows it from different sides. And the disrupted chronology of events makes you completely immerse yourself in the narrative.
8
Arthur Conan Doyle
The legendary investigations of the great detective Sherlock, which reveal the meanness of the human soul. Stories told by friend and assistant detective Dr. Watson.
9
Oscar Wilde
A story about pride, selfishness and a strong soul. A story that clearly shows what can happen to a person’s soul tormented by vices.
10
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
A fantastic trilogy about people and non-humans who fell under the power of the One Ring and its lord Sauron. The story is about those who are ready to sacrifice the most precious things and even their lives for the sake of friendship and saving the world.
11
Mario Puzo
A novel about one of the most powerful mafia families in America of the last century - the Corleone family. Many people know the film, so it’s time to start reading.
12
Erich Maria Remarque
After the First World War, many emigrants ended up in France. Among them is the talented German surgeon Ravik. This is the story of his life and love against the backdrop of the war he experienced.
13
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
The story of the Russian soul and stupidity. And the author’s amazing style and language makes the sentences sparkle with colors and shades that fully reveal the history of our people.
14
Colin McCullough
A stunning novel that tells not only about the love of a man and a woman and complex relationships, but also about feelings for family, native places and nature.
15
Emily Brontë
A family lives on a secluded estate and there is a tense atmosphere in their home. Difficult relationships have deep roots that are hidden in the past. The story of Heathcliff and Catherine will not leave any reader indifferent.
16
Erich Maria Remarque
A book about war from a person's perspective simple soldier. The book is about how war breaks and cripples the souls of innocent people.
17
Hermann Hesse
The book simply turns all ideas about life upside down. After reading it, it is no longer possible to get rid of the feeling that you are one step closer to something incredible. This book has answers to many questions.
18
Stephen King
Paul Edgecombe is a former prison officer who served in the convict block for death penalty. It tells the life story of suicide bombers who were destined to walk the Green Mile.
20
Victor Hugo
Paris 15th century. On one side it is full of grandeur, and on the other it looks like a sewer. On the background historical events A love story unfolds between Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
21
Daniel Defoe
The diary of a sailor who was shipwrecked and lived alone on an island for 28 years. He had to go through too many trials.
22
Lewis Carroll
A strange and mysterious story about a girl who, in pursuit of a white rabbit, finds herself in another and wonderful world.
23
Ernest Hemingway
There is war on the pages of the book, but even in a world full of pain and fear, there is a place for beauty. To a wonderful feeling called love, which makes us stronger.
24
Jack London
What can love do? Martin's love for the beautiful Ruth made him struggle. He overcame many obstacles to become something great. A story about spiritual development and personality development.
25
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic and fascinating fairy tale in which magic intertwines with reality.
26
We are Evgeny Zamyatin
The novel is a dystopia, which describes an ideal society where there is no personal opinion, and everything happens according to schedule. But even in such a society there is a place for freethinkers.
27
Ernest Hemingway
Frederick volunteered to go to war, where he became a doctor. In the sanitary unit, where even the air is saturated with death, love is born.
28
Boris Pasternak
Beginning of the twentieth century. The Russian Empire has already embarked on the path of revolution. The story is about the life of the intelligentsia of that time, as well as the book raises questions of religion and touches on the mystery of life and death.
29
Vladimir Nabokov
A cautionary tale about people who betrayed their ideals. The book is about how bright and beautiful feelings evolve into something dark and disgusting.
30
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
The greatest work that draws you into the story of Faust, who sold his soul to the Devil. By reading this book you can walk the path of learning about life.
31
Dante Alighieri
The work consists of three parts. First we go to Hell to complete all 9 circles. Then Purgatory awaits us, through which we can atone for our sins. And only by reaching the top can you enter Paradise.
32
Anthony Burgess
Not the most pleasant story, but it shows human nature. A story about how you can make an obedient and silent doll out of any person.
33
Victor Pelevin
A complex story that is difficult to understand the first time. A story about the life of a decadent poet who is looking for his own path, and Chapaev leads Peter to enlightenment.
34
William Golding
What will happen to the children if they find themselves completely alone? Children have a delicate nature, which is quite susceptible to vices. And sweet, kind children turn into real monsters.
35
Albert Camus
36
James Clavell
The story of an English sailor who, by the will of fate, ended up in Japan. An epic novel with historical realities, intrigue, adventures and secrets.
37
Ray Bradbury
Collection fantasy stories, which tells about the life of people on Mars. They almost destroyed the Earth, but what awaits the other planet?
38
Stanislav Lem
There is an Ocean on this planet. He is alive and he has a mind. Researchers face the difficult task of transferring knowledge to the ocean. And he will help make their dreams come true...
39
Hermann Hesse
The book is about an internal crisis that can happen to anyone. Inner devastation can destroy a person if one day you don’t meet a person on the way who will give you just one book...
40
Milan Kundera
Plunge into the world of sensations and feelings of the libertine Tomas, who is used to changing women, so that no one dares to take away his freedom.
41
Boris Vian
Each of the group of friends has their own destiny. Everything goes easy and simple. Friendship. Love. Conversations. But one event can change everything and destroy your usual life.
42
Iain Banks
Frank tells the story of his childhood and describes the present. He has his own world, which can collapse at any moment. Unexpected turning points in the plot, give special taste the whole story.
43
John Irving
This book raises themes of family, childhood, friendship, love, betrayal and betrayal. This is the world we live in with all the problems and shortcomings.
44
Michael Ondaatje
This book contains many themes - war, death, love, betrayal. But the main leitmotif is loneliness, which can take on a variety of forms.
46
Ray Bradbury
Books are our future, but what will happen if they are replaced by TV and one opinion? The answer to this question is given by a writer who was ahead of his time.
47
Patrick Suskind
The story of a mad genius. His whole life is wrapped in smells. He will go to any lengths to create the perfect scent.
48
1984 George Orwell
Three totalitarian states, where even thoughts are controlled. The world is hateful, but there are people who can still resist the system.
49
Jack London
Alaska at the end of the 19th century. The era of the gold rush. And among human greed lives a wolf named White Fang.
50
Jane Austen
The Bennett family has only daughters, and the heir is a distant relative. And once the head of the family dies, the young girls will be left with nothing.
51
Evgeny Petrov and Ilya Ilf
Who doesn’t know Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov and their eternal failures, which are associated with the search for ill-fated diamonds.
52
Fedor Dostoevsky
53
Charlotte Bronte
Jane became an orphan early, and life in her aunt's house was far from happy. And love for a strict and gloomy man is far from a romantic story.
54
Ernest Hemingway
A short story from my own life ordinary person. But reading this work, you penetrate into an amazing world that is full of emotions.
55
Francis Scott Fitzgerald
A great novel that is filled with feelings. On the pages of the book awaits the beginning of the 20th century, when people were full of illusions and hopes. This story is about life values And true love.
56
Alexandr Duma
We are all familiar with the adventures of d'Artagnan and his closest friends. A book about friendship, honor, devotion, fidelity and love. And of course, like other works of the author, it was not without intrigue.
57
Ken Kesey
This story is told to the reader by a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Patrick McMurphy ends up in prison, in a psychiatric ward. But some people think that he is simply faking his illness.
59
Victor Hugo
The novel describes the life of an escaped convict who is hiding from the authorities. After escaping, he had to endure a lot of hardships, but he was able to change his life. But police inspector Javert is ready to do anything to catch the criminal.
60
Victor Hugo
The actor-philosopher met on his way a disfigured boy and a blind girl. He takes them under his wing. Against the background of physical defects, the perfection and purity of souls is clearly visible. It’s also a great contrast to the life of the aristocracy.
61
Vladimir Nabokov
The novel tightens its unhealthy web of passions and unhealthy love. The main characters gradually go crazy, subject to their base desires, like all of them. the world. This book definitely won't have a happy ending.
62
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic story that describes the life of stalker Redrick Shewhart, who anomalous zones on Earth extracts extraterrestrial artifacts.
63
Richard Bach
Even a simple seagull can get bored gray life, and the routine has become boring. And then Chaika devotes her life to her dream. The seagull gives his whole soul on the way to his cherished goal.
64
Bernard Werber
Michel ended up at the court of the archangels, where he will have to undergo the weighing of his soul. After the trial, he faces a choice - to go to earth in a new incarnation or become an angel. The path of an angel is not simple, just like the life of mere mortals.
65
Ethel Lilian Voynich
A story about freedom, duty and honor. And also about different types love. In the first case, it is the love of a father for his son, which has survived many trials and will pass through generations. In the second case, it is love between a man and a woman, which is like a fire, then goes out, then flares up again.
66
John Fowles
He is a simple town hall servant, lonely and lost. He has a passion - collecting butterflies. But one day he wanted to add to his collection a girl who captivated his soul.
67
Walter Scott
The narrative of the novel will take readers into the distant past. During the time of Richard the Lionheart and the first crusades. This is one of the first historical novels, which everyone should read.
68
Bernhard Schlink
There are a lot of questions in the book that remain unanswered. The book makes you think and analyze not only what is happening on the pages, but also your life. This is a story about love and betrayal that will not leave anyone indifferent.
69
Ayn Rand
Socialists come to power and set a course for equal opportunities. The authorities believe that the talented and rich should improve the well-being of others. But instead of a happy future, the familiar world is plunging into chaos.
71
Somerset Maugham
The story of an actress who has worked in the theater all her life. And what is reality for her: acting on stage or acting in life? How many roles do you have to play every day?
72
Aldous Huxley
Dystopian novel. Satire novel. A world where Henry Ford became a god, and the creation of the first Ford T car is considered the beginning of time. People are simply raised, but they don’t know anything about feelings.
75
Albert Camus
Meursault lives a detached life. It seems that his life does not belong to him at all. He is indifferent to everything and even his actions are saturated with loneliness and renunciation of life.
76
Somerset Maugham
Philip's life story. He is an orphan and throughout his life he not only searches for the meaning of life, but also for himself. And the main thing is to understand the world and people around us.
77
Irvine Welsh
The story of friends who one day discovered drugs and euphoria. Each character is unusual and quite smart. They valued life and friendship, but only until the moment when heroin came first.
78
Herman Melville
Ahab, the captain of a whaling ship, set the goal of his life to take revenge on a whale named Moby Dick. Wit ruin too many lives to let him live. But as soon as the captain starts hunting, mysterious and sometimes terrible events begin to happen on his ship.
79
Joseph Heller
One of the best books about World War II. In it, the author was able to show the senselessness of war and the monstrous absurdity of the state machine.
80
William Faulkner
Four characters, each telling their own version of events. And to understand what we're talking about, you need to read to the end, where the puzzles will fit into a single picture of life and secret desires.
82
Joanne Rowling
83
Roger Zelazny
A classic of the fantasy genre. The chronicles are divided into two volumes of 5 books. In this cycle you can find travel in space and time, wars, intrigue, betrayal, as well as loyalty and courage.
84
Andrzej Sapkowski
One of the best fantastic series. The series includes 8 books, with the last one being “Season of Thunderstorms”, which is best read after the first or second book. This is a story about the Witcher and his adventures, his life and love, and also about the girl Ciri, who can change the world.
85
Honore de Balzac
An amazing story about the boundless and sacrificial love of a father for his children. About love that was never mutual. About the love that destroyed Father Goriot.
86
Gunther Grass
The story is about a boy named Oskar Matzerath, who, when the National Socialists came to power in Germany, refuses to grow up in protest. Thus, he expresses his protest to the changes in German society.
87
Boris Vasiliev
A poignant story of war. About true love for parents, friends, and the Motherland. This story must be read to feel the entire emotional component of this story.
88
Stendhal
The story is about Julien Sorel and the soul, in which there is a confrontation between two feelings: passion and ambition. These two feelings are so intertwined that it is often impossible to distinguish between them.
89
Lev Tolstoy
An epic novel that describes an entire era, delving into historical realities and art world that time. War will be replaced by peace, and peaceful life characters depends on the war. Many heroes with unique personalities.
90
Gustave Flaubert
This story is recognized greatest work world literature. Emma Bovary dreams of being beautiful social life, but her husband, a provincial doctor, cannot satisfy her requests. She finds lovers, but will they be able to fulfill Madame Bovary's dream?
91
Chuck Palahniuk
No matter how much the work of this author is criticized, it cannot be denied that his book “Fight Club” is one of the symbols of our generation. This is a story about people who decided to change this dirty world. The story is about a man who was able to resist the system.
92
Markus Zusak
Winter Germany in 1939, when Death has too much work, and after six months the work will increase significantly. A story about Liesel, about fanatical Germans, about a Jewish fighter, about thefts and about the power of words.
93
Alexander Pushkin
The novel in verse tells the story of fate noble intelligentsia with their vices and selfishness. And at the center of history love story no happy ending.
94
George Martin
A fantastic story about another world ruled by kings and dragons. Love, betrayal, intrigue, war and death, all for the sake of power.
95
David Mitchell
History of past, present and future. Stories of people from different times. But these stories make up a single picture of our entire world.
96
Stephen King
A fantastic series of novels by the master of horrors. This series interweaves genres. The books closely coexist with horror, western, Science fiction and other genres. This is the story of the gunslinger Roland, who is searching for the Dark Tower.
97
Haruki Murakami
A story about human destinies in Japan in the 60s of the twentieth century. A story about human loss. Memoirs of Tooru, which will introduce the reader to different people and their stories.
98
Andy Weir
By chance, an astronaut is left alone at a space base on Mars. He has a limited amount of resources, but no connection with people. But he doesn’t give up, he believes that they will come back for him.
100
Samuel Beckett
An amazing play where everyone determines for themselves the mysterious personality of Godot. The author gives you the opportunity to find the answer to the question “who is he?” A specific person? Strong personality? Collective image? Or God?
I would like to include many more books in this top. Therefore, dear readers, write in the comments about those books that you consider the best. We will add books to the top and, with your help, expand it to the 1000 best books of all times.
(estimates: 31
, average: 4,26
out of 5)
In Russia, literature has its own direction, different from any other. The Russian soul is mysterious and incomprehensible. The genre reflects both Europe and Asia, which is why the best classical Russian works are extraordinary, striking in their soulfulness and vitality.
The main character is the soul. For a person, his position in society, the amount of money is not important, it is important for him to find himself and his place in this life, to find the truth and peace of mind.
The books of Russian literature are united by the features of a writer who has the gift of the great Word, who has completely devoted himself to this art of literature. The best classics They saw life not flatly, but multifacetedly. They wrote about life not of random destinies, but of those expressing existence in its most unique manifestations.
Russian classics are so different, with different destinies, but what unites them is that literature is recognized as a school of life, a way of studying and developing Russia.
Russian classical literature was created the best writers from different corners Russia. It is very important where the author was born, because this determines his formation as a person, his development, and it also affects his writing skills. Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky were born in Moscow, Chernyshevsky in Saratov, Shchedrin in Tver. Poltava region in Ukraine is the birthplace of Gogol, Podolsk province - Nekrasov, Taganrog - Chekhov.
The three great classics, Tolstoy, Turgenev and Dostoevsky, were completely different people from each other, had different destinies, complex characters and great talents. They made a huge contribution to the development of literature by writing their best works, which still excite the hearts and souls of readers. Everyone should read these books.
Another important difference between the books of Russian classics is that they ridicule the shortcomings of a person and his way of life. Satire and humor are the main features of the works. However, many critics said that this was all slander. And only true connoisseurs saw how the characters are both comical and tragic at the same time. Such books always touch the soul.
Here you can find the best works classical literature. You can download books of Russian classics for free or read them online, which is very convenient. 
We present to your attention the 100 best books of Russian classics. IN full list The books included the best and most memorable works of Russian writers. This literature known to everyone and recognized by critics from all over the world.
Of course, our list of top 100 books is just a small part that brings together best works great classics. It can be continued for a very long time.
A hundred books that everyone should read in order to understand not only how they used to live, what were the values, traditions, priorities in life, what they were striving for, but to find out in general how our world works, how bright and pure the soul can be and how valuable it is for a person, for the development of his personality.
The top 100 list includes the best and most famous works Russian classics. The plot of many of them is known from school. However, some books are difficult to understand at a young age and require wisdom that is acquired over the years.
Of course, the list is far from complete; it can be continued endlessly. Reading such literature is a pleasure. She doesn’t just teach something, she radically changes lives, helps us understand simple things that we sometimes don’t even notice.
We hope you liked our list of classic books of Russian literature. You may have already read some of it, and some not. A great reason to make your own personal list of books, your top ones that you would like to read.
IN modern world There are fewer and fewer people reading. Sad but true. If previously meeting a person with a book on public transport was something in the order of things, now it is a real rarity. Gadgets are crowding out literature, leaving it somewhere in the margins. After all, it’s much easier to turn on a toy or climb into in social networks than to immerse yourself in a complex fantasy world. Reading has become work, not accessible entertainment. It is sad. After all, books form a point of view on the world, religion, politics, art, love. They allow you to broaden your horizons and gain experience from the mistakes of others, and foster humanity and compassion. None computer game or Facebook won’t do this.
Therefore, to expand the boundaries of your own consciousness, you need to read. At least worldwide famous works, the so-called classic books that everyone should read.
Russian literature
Not everyone can wade through the jungle of ancient Greek or Roman cultural heritage and understand the works of Socrates, Aristotle or Plutarch. Therefore, it is better to start with what is closer in mentality: books of Russian classics that everyone should read. These can be works that have been known since school, but are perceived completely differently in adulthood, when no one forces you to read under pressure. So are books recognized as modern classics.
"Eugene Onegin"
First love, mental anguish, jealousy, choice - all this is on the pages famous novel in verse. And what previously eluded will sparkle with new colors and make you empathize with the heroes.
In addition, the novel perfectly conveys the spirit of its time and describes the realistic life of the nobility.
"Crime and Punishment"
One of the first psychological novels, enjoying worldwide popularity, was written by Dostoevsky back in 1866. This work is included in the list of “100 Classics Everyone Should Read.”
Anyone can decide that they have the right to administer justice, but what is the cost of these actions? Is it internal freedom or crime? The lines between evil and good are so blurred that it is easy to slip. And the hand will be given by the one who himself is considered to be beyond the bounds.
"Fathers and Sons"
Turgenev’s novel touches on the issue of generations: “they are not like us” and the desire to prove that the new is better than the old. However ideological struggle fades when feelings come into play. What will he choose? main character: following ideals or love for a woman, the desire to change the world and rebuild it or a quiet life in native village? After all, maybe the ideals of fathers are not as bad as they seem.
"Master and Margarita"
If you are interested in more modern novels with elements of mysticism and fantasy, pay attention to Bulgakov. This is a classic that everyone should read. It has everything: partings and meetings, atrocities and retribution, execution and resurrection. Several parallel lines, one more interesting than the other, ambiguous characters... The novel has been filmed several times and is based on theatrical performances. And debates around the meaning and main characters are still ongoing.
"Quiet Don"
Which everyone should read are so varied and diverse that you can find something to like. Those who are interested in history will be interested in this work by Mikhail Sholokhov. Together with the main characters, the reader will live through the First World War and Civil War, will see events through the eyes of the participants.
“Not on the lists”
The story by Boris Vasiliev tells about a simple Russian guy who, instead of the easy path, chose the difficult one and put his civic duty to the Motherland first.
"We"
Now the dystopian genre has become popular, but few people remember that Russian authors have this kind work.
However, such a work was written by Yevgeny Zamyatin back in 1920 and has not yet lost its relevance. It is also on the list of “classics that everyone should read.”
Thirty-second century. A society with strict totalitarian control over everything and everyone. There are no names - numbers instead. There is no freedom of choice, even in clothes - instead of it there is a uniform. There is no personal space. Even in own home it is impossible to find salvation from the all-seeing eye - glass walls hide nothing. There should be no place for love or attachment to anything. But what to do if they arise? Either inform, or join the opponents of the existing system. However, can a small group resist a huge and well-functioning machine?
Foreign literature
"Romeo and Juliet"
A young girl and a young guy from opposing families should have a priori hated each other, but instead they fell in love. Instead of obediently following their parents' will, they decided to go against tradition and fight for their happiness.
"Dracula"
The cult book has been filmed several times, but nothing can overshadow the impression of the printed source.
The main character travels to Transylvania to sell a house to his client - a strange, eccentric old man, Dracula. Not listening to the warnings of random fellow travelers, the young man finds himself in the epicenter terrible events, which he himself started. But who could have guessed that his client was the real Evil. Miraculously escaping from captivity, the young man returns home. But the nightmare does not stop even in London.
"1984"
George Orwell's work is suspiciously reminiscent of Zamyatin's book. The same atmosphere of hopelessness, the same attempts to break out of control, doomed to failure in advance.
In a world where every step of a person is known almost in advance and the future is predetermined, it is difficult to resist the system. It's difficult and scary. What happens to those who go against the grain? They disappear... And then they appear brainwashed. The main character tried to be like everyone else, allowing himself only a little dissent. Maybe because he knew a little more than others. Meeting an unusual girl completely changed his life. She brought new colors into it and became a catalyst for many events.
"A little prince"
The list of “books - classics - that everyone should read” includes this one. unusual fairy tale for adults. Saint-Exupéry talks about his adventures Little Prince, about his acquaintance with the Earth, but at the same time it also speaks about more important things: love, friendship, fidelity.
"Three Musketeers"
The adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas is known to many thanks to numerous film adaptations. But nothing can convey the atmosphere better medieval France than a book. On its pages, beloved characters come to life again and details that the films are silent about are revealed.
Young D'Artagnan comes to Paris from the provinces in search of better life and finds her by enrolling military service to the privileged part. And at the same time, true friends long years, no less faithful and treacherous enemies, and, of course, adventure.
"Catcher in the rye"
Salinger's novel is considered by some, but not every teenager can understand it.
The story is told from the perspective of an ordinary seventeen-year-old guy, Holden, a student at a closed American school. One day he was kicked out for his behavior and had to spend several days in New York alone.
It's hard to say what this novel is about. About everything and nothing in particular. The hero reflects on the meaning of life, his place in it, his goals and aspirations. His thoughts are mostly depressive. However, the story pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the end.
For children
There is no point in reading or giving to younger children school age complex works, as many parents like to do. It is unlikely that they will be able to understand and appreciate them. In addition, there is a lot of excellent literature designed specifically for young readers. So what are the books (classics) that every child should read?
"The Wizard of Oz"
The story of the adventures of little Ellie and Totoshka will not leave you indifferent. A girl who, by chance, found herself in magical land, adventures full of dangers await. The yellow brick road turned out to be not as simple as it seemed at first. However, new friends will help you overcome all difficulties and find your way home.
"Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Restless Tom brings nothing but problems to his family, he is such a restless and inventive boy. He can even turn punishment to his advantage. Tom manages to find adventures even where there couldn't be any! But together with his true friend He is able to overcome any difficulties with his help. Even bring out the scary Injun Joe.
"The Adventures of Dunno and His Friends"
In the Flower City, everyone does their own thing: Znayka invents, Vintik and Shpuntik repair, Tube draws, Doctor Pilyulkin treats... Only Dunno is idle and composes fables. But he has the most beautiful hat and tie - no one else has them. Due to the carelessness of Dunno, the remaining residents Flower City often get into trouble. But he’s not out of malice... And he’ll try to correct what he’s done.
For teenagers
The list of “books (classics) that every teenager should read” includes works recognized as the “golden fund” of literature.
"Lord of the Flies"
Golding's novel should appeal to those who love young adult books. It is one of the first books written in this direction, and its echoes can be found in many authors.
A group of boys miraculously survived a plane crash and ended up on a desert island. At first everything was fine: the sea, palm trees, hunting, fruits, hope of salvation, organization of life in the image and likeness of Robinson Cruz. Two boys wanting to be leaders and realizing there can only be one. From a tiny spark of enmity, a whole bonfire of hatred flared up, in which every idea of humanity burned out.
"Treasure Island"
Pirates, treasures, dangers at every turn - this is not what the young man was looking for when he searched the guest's chest in search of money. But in addition to what he was looking for, the young man finds a tattered map of the island, where the location of the treasure is marked. Having enlisted the help of his older comrades, he goes in search of treasure. But pirates go to the island with them... Who will get the treasure found?
Modern classic
"Do not let me go"
There are books (classics) that everyone should read. And this is one of them. created a stunningly atmospheric work. At first it’s not entirely clear what we’re talking about, but then it’s impossible to tear yourself away, even realizing the horror of what’s happening on the pages.
These children grew up without knowing their parents, without knowing love, but convinced that they had a special purpose. They were told about this since childhood, and they got used to considering it something ordinary, not strange and not scary.
"Chocolate"
This is very unusual story from English writer Joanne Harris. Mystical, beautiful, with an indescribable feeling of immersion in the Middle Ages, although the novel takes place in the early 1960s.
A new resident arrives in a small French town with her daughter. She opens a shop of sweets that she prepares herself. old recipes. Everyone who tries them will definitely come back for the delicacy again, and this looks very suspicious in the eyes of the local priest. And a woman is not as simple as she seems. She and her daughter are hiding a big secret.
"Perfumer. The story of a killer"
The story of a genius who turned into a monster, wanting to create the perfect scent. Even if this meant committing a crime, the main character did not doubt for a minute. What does the life of a young innocent girl mean? Nothing. She is just the desired ingredient in a complex perfume composition.
After the film adaptation was released, the book produced the effect of a bomb exploding: stunned, disgusted, delighted. There were no indifferent people.
Instead of an afterword
The books of the classics that every educated person should read are difficult to collect into a list limited by any framework. There are too many worthy works, all people have different tastes, so you just need to read and look for your own, not limiting yourself to just “chewing gum for the brain.” Books that make you think and leave a mark on your memory are worth your time.
