How (and Why) You Should Read Russian Classics

As someone who has made the trip a few times over, I wanted to let you in on a few secrets to
make your journey as rewarding as it should be. When read right, these authors will leave you
with more than just a better eye for Russian surnames—you’ll get dazzling depictions of 19​th
century Russia, thought-provoking portrayals of despair, betrayal, redemption, and love, as well
as a taste of the ever-elusive “Russian soul”.

To make sure that you are properly equipped to take on 1,000+ page monsters like Anna
Karenina or War and Peace, my first piece of advice may not actually seem that logical.

I want you to forget everything you think you know about Russian classics.

That’s right—don’t let the rumors, stereotypes, or opinions of others cloud your way.

When you choose to pick up your first Siberian story, make sure that you take it in with an open
mind, like you would any other book. At the end of the day, they aren’t all that different from your
favorite novels of today! If you like crime and thrillers, check out Crime and Punishment or
Dostoevksy’s lesser-known Demons. If you prefer the lighter side of comedy and fantasy,
Bulgakov is your buddy. If you like a drama dripping in romance and narrative, give Tolstoy a
try.

One of the most delightful parts of other books is finding characters to relate to, and Russian
novels are no exception.

And when you finally narrow down your choice, don’t be scared to ​start slow.​ You can take
hefty books like War and Peace at a chapter a day, or even a chapter a week! You can keep a
piece of paper on hand to help yourself keep all of the new names organized as well.
You can even try abridged editions, audiobooks, or, if you’re feeling especially bold,
Russian-language starter editions, which are the original text broken down with simpler
vocabulary and text for students studying Russian.

And don’t worry, I definitely saved the best for last—because this is the tip that transforms the
entire path from perilous to pleasant.

I remember picking up Crime and Punishment for the first time…and the second…and the
third…and after that, I lost track. I almost gave up, assuming that the book was made for people
smarter than myself.

And it was only by chance that I realized my mistake—I was gifted an edgy, modern, black and
white copy of the novel, and it looked much different than the ones I’d picked up before.

The difference? My edition was translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Now,
you might not think a translator would make a huge difference in a book’s readability, but I am
here to tell you that it makes all the difference.

The day I started reading that copy, I couldn’t put it down. And to this day, it is still my favorite
book. Dostoevsky’s ability to dive fearlessly into nihilism, depression, and spin a delicate picture
of suffering and redemption is unparalleled in the literary world.

Everyone has different reading styles, preferences, and levels of patience. If you are like me
and want a readable Russian novel that still maintains its original enigmatic aura of the Russian
soul, then give Pevear and Volokhonsky a try. Or maybe you like the tried-and-true Constance
Garnett? The list goes on and on. If you can’t break into a certain copy, make sure you look for
a different translator and try again.

As you embark on your journey into the heart of Russian classics, I can only hope that you find
as much enjoyment in them as I have. Apart from sending yourself to Russia, I can’t imagine a
better way to immerse yourself in the allure and excitement of Russian culture.

In Russian literature, there’s something for everyone, whether your end goal is Russification, or
just diversifying your worldview!