Russian literature is a real treasury of the world scale. Many names of Russian writers are firmly inscribed in the golden fund of world culture. Today we will tell you about the most famous Russian authors and why they should be read by everyone who is interested in literature, philosophy and the human soul, especially while learning Russian.

1. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

🖋 Famous Works:
– Crime and Punishment
– The Idiot
– The Brothers Karamazov
💡 Interesting fact:
Dostoevsky was sentenced to death for his participation in a “political circle” but was pardoned at the last moment. The episode left a deep mark and reflected in his books, especially in the theme of fear, remorse and the search for the meaning of life.
📌 People admire Dostoevsky for his profound psychologism – his works are studied in universities around the world as philosophical texts.

2. Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

🖋 Famous Works:
– War and Peace
– Anna Karenina
– Resurrection
💡 Interesting fact:
Tolstoy gave up his title of nobility, wealth and lived as a simple peasant at the end of his life. He also inspired Mahatma Gandhi on the path of non-violent resistance.

3. Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940)

🖋 Famous Works:
– The Master and Margarita
– Dog’s Heart
– Notes of a Young Doctor
💡 Interesting fact:
“The Master and Margarita” was published only 26 years after Bulgakov’s death – the novel was banned during his lifetime. The book combines mysticism, satire and deep philosophy.
📌 Many foreigners see The Master and Margarita as a Russian version of Faust and love to unravel the allusions to the Soviet era.

4. Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)

🖋 Famous Works:
– The Cherry Orchard
– Three Sisters
– The Seagull
💡 Interesting fact:
Chekhov was a doctor and wrote when he had free time. He used to say, “Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress”.
📌 Chekhov is called a master of “subtext”: his plays are loved for the fact that the most important things in them happen not on stage, but between the lines.

5. Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977)

🖋 Famous works:
– Lolita
– Luzhin’s Defense
– Other Shores
💡 Interesting fact:
Although born in Russia, Nabokov became world famous for his novels written in English. He was also an outstanding entomologist and butterfly expert.
📌 “Lolita” is one of the most discussed books of the 20th century, striking for its language and controversial subject matter.

6. Joseph Brodsky (1940-1996).

🖋 Famous Works:
– Petersburg novel
– Letters to a roman friend
– Pilgrims
– Stop in the desert
💡 Interesting fact:
Brodsky was exiled from the USSR for his “parasitic lifestyle” and later won the Nobel Prize in Literature (1987). In the US, he taught at universities and wrote in English and Russian.
📌 Foreigners admire his brilliant English and unique philosophy – he believed that poetry could save the soul.

✨ Why is Russian literature read all over the world?

– Depth of psychology – Russian writers dig deeper, asking questions about the meaning of life, faith, freedom and suffering.
– Historical context – their books are often windows into eras, be it Tsarist Russia, the Revolution or the Soviet regime.
– Poetic and imaginative language – even in translations, the Russian style often feels like something special.
If you are just starting to get acquainted with Russian literature – start with Chekhov’s short stories or Bulgakov’s novels. And then move on to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky – they will open up a whole world of human passions and reflections.

What is the most famous Russian literature?

The most popular works of Russian literature are those of Leo Tolstoy (“War and Peace”, “Anna Karenina”) and Fyodor Dostoevsky (“Crime and Punishment”, “The Brothers Karamazov”). Many of these novels are about history, psychology, morality and good and evil.

Who is the most popular Russian writer?

When it comes to prose, the most famous classics of Russian literature are Leo Tolstoy (for epic novels), Anton Chekhov (influential short stories), Fyodor Dostoevsky (deep psychological themes) and Mikhail Bulgakov (reflective, and absurd novels).

Who is the father of Russian literature?

Alexander Pushkin is called “the father of Russian literature” because he fundamentally transformed the Russian language and laid the foundation for all modern Russian literature. Pushkin created a new, natural literary language—that became the standard for future writers like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov.