Beginner’s Guide to Russian Classics 📚 | Where to Start with Tolstoy, Dostoevsky & More!

[@cafeaulivre]

I'm going to grace all of the insulting and attacking comments with a single answer: you can absolutely condemn and reject the policies of a state, without having to reject its' history, its' literature and its' culture. I'm a former disaster relief paramedic who happens to have taken uni courses in International Humanitarian Law. Of course I condemn any form of violence, either domestically, either internationally. There is no question about that. The cruelty and horror of war does not render me blind for the beauty of art and literature however and I refuse to participate in cancel culture. Enough books are being burned already. And yes, all of these comments and attacks will of course be deleted from the channel. This is not the type of discussion we have here.

[@lawjason]

Well said! I wholeheartedly agree. I would also add that those classic Russian writers are not responsible for what the generations that came after them have said and done. They could not have anticipated or forseen their country as it is today. I'm confident that some of them--based on their writings--would have condemned the immoral actions against their fellow man and woman we see today.

[@cafeaulivre]

Which would be the one book that you recommend to someone who wants to start reading Russian classical literature? And if you havn't read any yet, why not? What's keeping you back? Let me know down below and we'll talk classical Russian lit some more!

[@aiscahill]

The tip about the translations is invaluable. I never know where to start with translations of the classics. I haven’t read many Russian classics so I’ll be taking your suggestions on board. Anna Karenina is likely the next one I’ll pick up, purely because it’s already on my shelves.

[@cafeaulivre]

It's a great gateway book into Russian classics, hope you'll enjoy it!

[@romaisblooming]

Great video and excellent recommendations. I began reading Tolstoy by reading Resurrection, and it remains my favorite Tolstoy. I did not like War and Peace at all. You are right about becoming educated in Russian history, it truly makes these books come alive! I love Chekhov, and would highly recommend as well. Currently I am reading The Brothers Karamasov. This! This! Perhaps not for beginners, but is perhaps my favorite of all time. Sigh. I think this is one I will re read many times. I am 60 and cannot believe I put it off for so long, allowing myself to be intimidated by the reviews.

[@cafeaulivre]

I also love the Brother Karamazov, but I agree: it did not feel like a book for beginners.

[@michaeldornan7737]

Hero of Our Time by Mikhael Lermontov is a beautiful feeling of a Russian soldier in the Caucasus mixed with a variety of ventures. I would definitely add. Maybe The Captain's Daughter by Ivan Turgenev too. Great video!

[@cafeaulivre]

I have been debating whether to include Turgenev, but couldn’t really decide on which book…but yes, The Captain’s Daughter could definitely have been in this video!

[@michaeldornan7737]

Mia culpa but I said the Captain's Daughter was by Turgenev but it is by Pushkin. Sorry about that!

[@cafeaulivre]

@@michaeldornan7737 Ah, that explains why I couldn't think of it ! :p

[@monicai.3034]

I started my Russian lit journey directy with The Brothers Karamazov and Anna Karenina, loved both novels. On my tbr list is Evgheni Oneghin, as you already recommended. I liked also White Nights, indeed an accesible read. Never heard of the novel Oblomov. 🤔 Also, grateful for the encouragement to read War & Peace! 🙏🥰

[@cafeaulivre]

If you managed The Brothers Karamazov, then don’t worry about War & Peace 😋

[@MB-hc9tk]

There’s a little penguin clothbound classic book that has a few short stories by Alexander Pushkin , the collection they’ve called “the queen of spades” and the queen of spades is included but it also has the coffin maker , the blizzard and other short stories in it. I really enjoyed that one ❤

[@MB-hc9tk]

Plus added bonus the cover is very pretty! 😂

[@cafeaulivre]

I don’t think I ever saw that one…another one for the TBR then 😋

[@cafeaulivre]

I am known to have no self-control when it comes to pretty covers 🤣

[@MB-hc9tk]

@@cafeaulivre me too 😂 it does add to the magic when you find a good book with a nice cover, it transforms it into a little treasure !

[@cafeaulivre]

Couldn’t have said it better 😋

[@cafeaulivre]

Also, for the UK-based fans of Pushkin's Onegin: both the Royal Ballet and Opera perform Onegin this fall & winter.

[@gameguru8591]

I havent read any russian literature yet(infact, i have just started getting into reading books. Only books i have read are alchemist, animal farm, old man and the sea and some stories by Kafka). I recently ordered "greatest short stories by anton chekov" from fingerprint publishing, is it a good start for a beginner? Btw, loved this video and your presentation. Do you have any other recommendations for a beginner like me?

[@cafeaulivre]

Chekhov is a good start actually, since those are short stories, accessible language and not too strange 😋 It all comes down to what your own taste is: there is no such thing as the book that envelopes all of Russian literature; there are so many different styles and themes. Try to sample and explore shorter works to find out which authors resonate most with you.

[@gameguru8591]

@@cafeaulivre Great, thanks!

[@cafeaulivre]

And if You havn’t seen them yet: have a browse through the rest of my videos; there probably are some that can be helpful to you as well!

[@NevsBookChannel]

I just started Crime and Punishment a couple of days ago. It takes a little while to get familiar with the Russian names but otherwise it’s fairly readable as long as you’re concentrating. I read White Nights previously and really didn’t like it!

[@cafeaulivre]

What was it about White Nights you didn’t like?

[@TooFarWest1]

This year I read Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, War and Peace by Tolstoy, and have Anna Karenina on my docket next. I started Crime and Punishment but found myself unable to dive into dark world of ghettos, prostitutes and excessive vodka. For me Classic fiction is like time traveling to the past through a book's characters and events. I tend to be very particular about where I go.

[@cafeaulivre]

I can see what you mean about Crime & Punishment. White Nights might be something you like though.

[@TooFarWest1]

@@cafeaulivre I’ll may do that, thanks.

[@alb0zfinest]

After I read Fathers and Sons, I was genuinely surprised that Dostoevsky was well recognized outside of Russia but Turgenev wasn't. Having now read most of everything that Dostoevsky has published, Turgenev remains the superior author.

[@zetectic7968]

Years ago I got a hardback copy of Chekov short stories from the bargain bin - some how it got stuck on the shelf & not read. Maybe soon :). Likewise Anna Karenina has been on the TBR list for too long. I had a female friend that was reading Quietly flows the Don by Bulgakov (I think she had read The Master & Margarita. Is it magical realism or science fiction?). I tried The Idiot but gave up as I would read 20 pages & nothing happened. The BBC did a drama/play of Oblamov with George Wendt (Norm from Cheers) as the title character.

[@cafeaulivre]

I would categorise Bulgakov as magical realism. I absolutely love Master & Margarita, but didn’t include it because 20th century and a whole different Russia.

[@mfred1017]

Perhaps not for beginners but I recommend The Master And Margarita.

[@cafeaulivre]

Totally agree: excellent book, but perhaps not to start 😋 also, it is a 20th century book, which is again a whole different Russia and literature in my opinion

[@Books_read_sam]

Yesssss 🙏

[@cafeaulivre]

Love the enthusiasm! :D