Russian Literature: Introduction and Reading List

	Part 1: 18th Century Literature wasn’t aimed on entertaining but on teaching and improving the society. The authors felt the responsibility and believed they could change the world... Lomonosov, Krylov, Fonvizin, Karamzin... [read more]
	Part 2: 19th Century The Golden Age of the national literature. Russian literature obtained the tradition, the history and the useful language... Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov... [read more]
	Part 3: 20th Century In the 20th century Russia has undergone through many upheavals: wars, revolutions, revolts... The Art and Literature had to sustain the moral, retain beliefs and traditions... Mayakovsky, Ahmatova, Bulgakov, Pasternak, Nabokov, Dovlatov... [read more]

Please, Read the Introduction First:

Literature is a very important part of the world culture. Here in Russia most of the people consider literature to be the main part of the culture. Most of us (Russians) also think that people in Russia read more than people of other nationalities and that Russian literature is the best literature in the world. Well, it can be not true, but it is generally accepted that Russian literature is quite important for any person who is trying to explore Russian environment.

Besides, literature is the most democratic art, I believe. It comes to you with minimal efforts. You can buy a book or download a text and you will get your own copy of the masterpiece. You shouldn’t stay in a line to get to an exhibition or pay fortune for an original painting. Just buy a book. So, reading texts of Russian writers is the shortest way to join the great culture of the world.

Russian history added the fleur of mystical power to the most common art form, power of the written word. Writing was a respectable skill for many centuries in Russia. In the mass culture a writing person meant a brainy one. In the 20th century this led to overall trust of printed texts. Furthermore, normally, a Russian writer, unlike his European colleague, doesn’t just describe his philosophy, but he proposes the whole ideology. One of the reasons is that in both Russian and Soviet empires literature was a considerably simple way to criticize the state policy.

Here is the list of the wide known writers, the core of Russian literature. I advise you to start with this list and then continue exploring Russian literature on your own. One of the most important characteristics of our literature is the continuity. The concepts set up by great authors of 19th century are still explored by modern writers.

Disclaimer: I love Russian literature. I read much and have my own preferences. I tried to be objective while making this list, but please note, it is a list based on personal preferences. This is a list I would give to my friend who is interested in Russian literature, for him to have something to start with. There are dozens of famous writers I didn’t include, cause it would be too much for a basic review. But be sure all the writers in this list are very important for the national literature.