What can you tell us about some of the russian writers you know

7 Contemporary Russian Writers You Should Know

Russia is a country famous for its literature. From its golden age and Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to Pasternak and Solzhenitsyn in the 20th century, Russian literature has a masterpiece for any taste. Its good streak did not end with the end of the Soviet period; contemporary Russian literature has plenty to offer to both Russian and international readers. Here are seven contemporary Russian writers you should know.

Victor Pelevin

Victor Pelevin’s fiction is very much out of the ordinary. His novels weave together elements of science fiction, popular culture and Eastern philosophies to form the most unexpected postmodern patchwork. His first novel, Omon Ra, attracted a lot of attention from literary critics and got Pelevin a nomination to the Russian Booker prize (which he had received once before for his poetry). Omon Ra is a very alternative story of the Russian space programme and a very accurate commentary on the Soviet and post-Soviet reality. Pelevin became internationally recognised thanks to his third novel, Generation P. It sold 3.5 million copies worldwide and was nominated for a number of prizes. Generation P is a very psychedelic account of the transition from Soviet to capitalist Russia. Pelevin leads a very secretive private life, rarely gives interviews and doesn’t appear at literary events. He often travels to the Far East. His extraordinary postmodern fiction is most certainly worth your attention.

Lyudmila Ulitskaya

Lyudmila Ulitskaya is one of the most internationally renowned contemporary Russian writers. She was born in 1943 in Bashkiria, but soon after the war, her family came back to Moscow. She graduated from the Biology faculty at the Moscow State University and worked as a geneticist for two years when she was made redundant due to the dissemination of illegal publications. Ultiskaya didn’t start publishing fiction until the late ’80s. Her first novel, Sonyechka, became very popular in France and gained her the prestigious Prix Medicis. Ulitskaya considers herself ethnically and culturally Jewish, but her religious affiliations lay within Christianity (which is not unusual for people of Jewish heritage in this part of the world). That part of her identity has had a significant influence on Ulitskaya’s writing. Her fiction is unusually ascetic when compared with the rest of Russian literature, void of long descriptions and rich dialogues. It does, nonetheless, make for addictive reading. Ulitskaya is one of the most interesting characters in Russia’s contemporary literary scene.

My little Space…

By: I. K. E.

Russian literature: About Writers and Legends…

Russian writers:

The russian literature is very rich and the list of writers is unlimited, so I decided to choose only five of the most famous writers:

Aleksandr Pushkin (1799 – 1837)

He is the russian “Shakespeare”. He was killed at age 37 in a duel with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d’Anthès, a French officer who attempted to seduce the poet’s wife, Natalia Pushkina. But he wrote a lot of poems, fairy tales and novels in verse, many of them considered masterpieces. At school Russian children usually learn his poems or extracts from novels by heart.

Some of his works are: the poems “Ruslan and Ludmila” and “The Bronze Horseman”; the drama “The Stone Guest”; the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin”, the short story “The Queen of Spades”, and others.
Links to read his works: “ The queen of spades ” (short story) and “ The Bronze Horseman ” (poem).

Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)

He is known as one of the greatest authors of all time and his works are well-known all around the world. He was a novelist, short story writer, playwright and essayist.

Some of his most notable works are the novels “War and Peace”, “Anna Karenina”, and “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”; the short stories: “The Three Questions”, “Where Love Is, God Is”, “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” and “Quench the Spark”; the plays “The Power of Darkness”, “The Light Shines in the Darkness” and “The Fruits of Enlightenment”.

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821 – 1881)

He was a russian philosopher and novelist whose literary works explore human psychology in the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmosphere of the 19th-century Russia. He is also well-known for his works, such as: the novels “Crime and Punishment”, “Demons”, “The Brothers Karamazov” and “The Idiot”, the epistolary novel “Poor Folk”, the novella “Notes from Underground”, the short stories “Novel in Nine Letters”, “A Weak Heart”, “White Nights” and “The Dream of a Ridiculous Man”. He also wrote the essay collections “Winter Notes on Summer Impressions” and “A Writer’s Diary”.
Links to read: “ Crime and Punishment ” (novel), “ The Dream of a Ridiculous Man ” (short story), “ Notes from Underground ” (short story), “ Novel in Nine Letters ” (short story).

Mikhail Lermontov (1814 – 1841)

As Pushkin, his life was very short (he died at age 26 in the duel against Nikolai Martynov). Mikhail Lermontov is famous for his poems and novels, also he wrote dramas.

Some of his most famous works are: the novel “A Hero of Our Time”; the poems “Borodino”, “Death of the Poet” (short poem about Pushkin), and “The Fugitive”, the dramas “A Strange Man” and “Masquerade”, and others.
Links to read: “ A Hero of Our Time ” (novel), “ Borodino ” (poem), “ Death of the Poet ” (poem about Pushkin).

Nikolai V. Gogol (1809 – 1852)

He was a novelist, playwright and short story writer, known as “the master of surrealism”.
Some of his most famous works are: the short story collection “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka” with stories like “The Lost Letter”, “Christmas Eve”, “The overcoat”, and “A Bewitched Place”; the novels “Dead Soul” and “Taras Bulba”, the plays “Marriage” and “The Government Inspector”.
Links to read his works: “ Dead Soul ” (novel), “ The overcoat ” (story), “ The Government Inspector ” (play).

Russian legends: about saints, heroes and invisible cities…

Ilya Muromets

Ilya Muromets is a famous folk hero. Although his adventures are mostly epic fiction, he is believed to have a historical prototype: a medieval warrior named Ilya Pechersky. The legend says Ilya was the son of a farmer, born in a village near Murom. Because of a serious illness, when he was young he couldn’t walk and he lied on a Russian oven until the age of 33. But he was miraculously healed by pilgrims who got Ilya’s help. Svyatogor, a dying knight gave Ilya super-human strength and Ilya defeat a lot of Russian enemies.

The saints Peter and Fevronia: symbols of love and fidelity.

In Russia, July 8th is the “Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness”. The history of this holiday also have a deep root: the love of two saints, Peter and Fevronia.

The saints Peter and Fevronia are the patrons of marriage and family, and the symbols of love and fidelity. On the Day of Saints Peter and Fevronia it was common to go to church, where people asked for love and family grace.

The Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom, which literary treatment relates to the period of the mid-16th century, says that Duke Peter (second son of Duke Yuri Vladimirovich of Murom) ascended the throne in 1203, but a few years before his principality he became seriously ill and no one could cure him. One night, Duke Peter dreamed that he can be healed by Fevronia, a beautiful and good girl.

Fevronia also was a wise woman, she knew the properties of herbs and could cure ailments. Peter fell in love with Fevronia and promised to marry her after the healing, but when he get cured he did not keep his word. Later, when he was defeated by the disease again Fevronia cured him once again, and this time the duke married the girl.

After the death of Peter’s brother, he inherited the throne. The nobles respected him, but their haughty wives didn’t like Fevronia because she was a peasant, so the nobles demanded that the duke had left her. But Peter, listening their intentions of separating him from his beloved wife, chose to relinquish the power and to go with her in exile, leaving Murom.

After that, the nobles started to fight for the throne and the unrest began in Murom. Then, the nobles gathered a council and invited the duke and his wife back, so Peter and Fevronia returned, and she managed to earn the love of the urban counterparts. After that, they ruled long and happily. And in his declining years, Peter and Fevronia asked God to die in one day. They bequeathed to bury them in a specially prepared coffin with a thin partition in the middle.

As they wished, Peter and Fevronia died the same day: on 8 July 1228, but people have broken the will of the dead: their bodies were placed in the different realms. But anyway next day they were found together, and even while their bodies were carried out to different churches two times, twice they miraculously were found side by side, so finally they were buried together in the city of Murom at the cathedral church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

Since then, the history of Peter and Fevronia is the embodiment of the unquenchable love and loyalty and every year on 8 July the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of Saints Peter and Fevronia.

“The Russian Atlantis”: The invisible city of Kitezh

Kitezh is a mythical city beneath the waters of Lake Svetloyar in the Voskresensky District of the Nizhny Novgorod region in central Russia. Reference to Kitezh appears for the first time in “Kitezh Chronicle”, an anonymous book from the late 18th century, believed to have originated among the Old Believers, but the medieval legend was passed down verbally for a long time before being written down in the 1700s.

In Russian culture there is an important legend of the invisible city of Kitezh. According to the legend, there used to be a city on the bank of Lake Svetloyar, and this city survived the Tartar invasion by becoming invisible.

The location of the city, which used to be known only to a narrow group of Old Believers, eventually became a destination for pilgrims of many faiths in the second half of the 1800s.

The Kitezh legend is widely known, and has been the subject of many publications and scholarly. Still to this day, the righteous are said to be able to hear the town bells and see the city’s reflection in the lake.

I’ve read “The three questions” (Leo Tolstoy) while I was searching this information and I really liked that story (you can find the link here ). Also I plan to read “War and Peace” (Leo Tolstoy) and “Crime and Punishment” (Fyodor Dostoevsky) soon. 🙂
How about you?
Have you ever read any books of these writers? What do you think about them?

Do you know another Russian writers or legends? Tell me! 🙂

Other posts about Russia:

A. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT RUSSIAN WRITERS? 1 часть

(A talk between Bill Anderson, a lecturer at London University, and Peter Sedov, a Russian teacher, who is teaching Russian at London University.)

Bill Anderson: Peter, could you do me a favour? (1)

Peter Sedov: You’re welcome.

Bill: Could you name most popular modern Russian writters?

Peter: Well, you know, tastes differ. My favourite modern writers are Solzhenitsyn, Bondarev, Rasputin, Lipatov to name only a few.

Bill: Were any of their works translated into English?

Peter: I think so. I have Bondarev’s «Bank» (2) in English.

Bill: May I borrow it?

Peter: Yes, certainly. I’ll bring it tomorrow.

Bill: Thank you very much. Unfortunately I don’t know any of your modern writers.

Peter: I hope you’ll enjoy these novels.

В. TELL ME ABOUT BRITISH WRITERS, PLEASE

A: Who are the most popular writers in Great Britain at present?

B: It’s a diffucult question. Tastes differ, you know. I’d say the most popular fiction writers are Graham Greene, Iris Murdoch, Agatha Christie, to name only a few.

A: As to Graham Greene, Iris Murdoch and Agatha Christie I’ve read some of their books in translation. They impressed me greatly. I especially liked Graham Greene’s novels «The Comedians» and «The Honorary Consul». (3) I wonder whether John Galsworthy, Bernard Shaw, Somerset Maugham and Arnold Bennett are as popular as they used to be. (4)

В: I don’t think so though many of their books are republished. Galsworthy is my favourite writer. He’s a classic. I hear most of Galsworthy’s novels were translated into Russian.

A: Oh, yes. I think I’ve read all the books that were translated.

B: I’m surprised at you, Russians. You seem to know English literature better than we do. (5)

C. COULD YOU ADVISE ME AN ENGLISH NOVEL TO READ?

Peter Rostov: Could you advise me an English novel to read?

John Brown: I’d advise you to read C.P Snow’s novel «The New Men». Though C.P. Snow wrote it over thirty years ago, the book has stood the test of time.

Rostov: What’s the subject-matter of the book?

Brown: As far as I understand it’s the problem of conscience, duties and responsibilities of scientists.

Rostov: Who are the main characters?

Brown: To my mind the two brothers — Lewis and Martin Eliot.

Rostov: When and where does the action take place?

Brown : During the Second World War and a year after. A group of British scientists worked on the atomic bomb in a small village, a few miles from Stratford-on- Avon*. Late in July 1945 they learned that the USA had tested an atomic bomb and that the American military were planning to drop an atomic bomb on a Japanese town.

Rostov: Excuse my interrupting you. Did the scientists try to do something?

Brown: Yes, they did. They signed a protest and took it to Washington.

Rostov: But the American military didn’t listen to the scientists as the events showed.

Brown: Unfortunately, they didn’t.

Rostov: What do you think the message of the novel is?

Brown: I think the writer wanted to draw the attention of the people to the danger of atomic bombs. To my mind the social value of the novel is undoubted. Look, I advise you to read the novel yourself and form your own opinion. When you finish it we’ll be able to discuss it. I could lend you the book, by the way.

Rostov: Thank you.

D. I AM FOND OF MUSIC

(Jane, an English student has just returned from a concert. She meets Mary, a Russian exchange postgraduate.)

Mary: Hello. How are you?

Jane: Fine, thanks. I’ve just been to Richter’s concert.

Mary: Did you enjoy the concert?

Jane: It was splendid.

Mary: What did he play?

Mary: Yes, he certainly is. By the way, the Chamber Orchestra «Moscow Virtuosos*» is on tour in Great Britain now. Would you care to attend their concert next Friday? I’ve got two tickets.

Jane: I’d love to. Thank you very much. I’ve read a review about the concert. It says they’re marvellous. I’m fond of music.

Names

Graham Greene [ʹɡreɪəm ʹɡri:n] Грэм Грин

Iris Murdoch [ʹaɪərɪs ʹmə:dək] Айрис Мердок

John Galsworthy [ʹdʒɔn ʹɡɔ:lzwəðɪ] Джон Голсуорси

Somerset Maugham [ʹsɔməsət ʹmɔ:əm] Сомерсет Моэм

Arnold Bennett [ʹɑ:nld ʹbenət] Арнольд Беннет

C. P. Snow [ʹsi: ʹpi: ʹsnou] Чарльз Перси Сноу

Notes

(1) Could you do me a favour [ʹfeɪvə]? He могли бы вы сделать мне одолжение?

(3) «The Comedians» [kəʹmi:dɪənz] and «The Honorary Consul» [ʹɔnərərɪ ʹkɔnsl] «Комедианты» и «Почетный консул»

(4) as they used [ju:st] to be как были раньше (как бывало)

(5) You seem to know English literature better than we do. Кажется, вы знаете английскую литературу лучше нас.

Exercise 1. Read and translate the dialogues.

Exercise 2. Find in the dialogues English equivalents for the word combinations and sentences.

Exercise 3. Quote the sentences in which these words and word combinations are used in the dialogues and translate them.

tastes differ, fiction, to republish, to surprise, to stand the test of time,

conscience, to take place, protest, attention, social value, to be on tour

Exercise 4. Make the necessary substitutions and reproduce the dialogues.

1. A: Could you name most popular modern Russian writers?

В: Му favourite modern writers are Bondarev, Rasputin, Nagibin, Shukshin and Solzhenitzin, to name only a few.

В: Rozhdestvensky, Voznesensky, Abashidse, Evtushenko and Gamsatov)

2. A: Is Leo Tolstoy as popular as he used to be?

B: Oh, yes, His works have stood the test of time.

(A: Gogol, Pushkin, Chekhov)

3. A: Where does the action take place?

B: In a small village, a few miles from Stratford-on- Avon and in London.

(B: in London, in Moscow, in a small town)

4. A: What’s the message of the novel?

B: The writer wants to draw the attention of the readers to the danger of atomic bombs.

(B: to show that moral standards* are important)

5. A: I hear the Bolshoi ballet is on tour in France.

B: Yes. And it’s a great success.

(A: the Moscow Art Theatre, the Chamber Orchestra «Moscow Virtuosos»)

Exercise 5. Fill in the blanks with missing remarks. Reproduce the dialogues.

1. A: Michael, could you do me a favour?

A: Could you name most popular modern Russian writers?

2. A: Could you lend me Bondarev’s novel «Choice»?

A: Thank you very much. Unfortunately, I know only a few of your modern writers.

3. A: Could you name most popular modern British writers?

A: Which of them are your favourite writers?

4. A: Are Dickens and Thackeray* as popular as they used to be?

A: Which of Dickens’s novels do you like best?

5. A: I hear most of Dickens’s novels were translated into Russian.

6. A: Could you advise me an English novel to read?

A: You’ve read Graham Greene’s novel «The Comedians», haven’t you?

7. A: Where does the action of the novel take place?

A: Who are the main characters?

A: What’s the message of the book?

8. A: So you’ve finished Bondarev’s novel «Choice». What’s the subject-matter of the novel?

A: What’s your impression of the book?

9. А: Can you say that Chekhov’s works have stood the test of time?

10. A: Did you enjoy the concert?

A: What did he play?

11. A: Who are the main characters of Shaw’s play «Widowers’ Houses»?

A: Was she play staged at any of the Moscow theatres?

12. A: Would you like to see the Bolshoi ballet? It’s on tour in Great Britain now.

A: Shedrin’s ballet «Anna Karenina”.

13. A: Have you read any English novels in the original**?

A: Was it easy or difficult for you?

Exercise 6. Think of the questions or statements to which the following sentences are the answers.

B: Tastes differ, you know. My favourite modern writers are Aitmatov, Bondarev, Abramov, Granin and Lipatov to name only a few.

B: Yes, there’s a magazine. It’s called «Soviet Literature». It’s published in English, French, German and Spanish. The magazine publishes works of writers, poets and critics.

B: My favourite poets are Pushkin, Lermontov, Mayakovski, Block and Esenin, to name only a few.

B: Yes, they are. Their works have stood the test of time.

B: I’ve just finished Graham Greene’s novel «The Comedians».

B: It impressed me greatly.

B: The writer wants to draw the attention of the readers to problems of peace* and war.

B: The main character is David Copperfield.**

B: I haven’t finished the novel and I haven’t formed an opinion yet.

B: Yes, I have. I could lend it to you.

B: The concert was splendid.

B: The Bolshoi Ballet is on tour in Great Britain now.

Exercise 7. Reproduce the dialogues.

Exercise 8. Act as interpreter.

Gerald Nelson: Hello.

Петр Иванов: Здравствуйте. Как вы себя чувствуете?

Gerald: Fine, thank you. And what about you?

Петр: Спасибо, хорошо.

Gerald: Could you do me a favour?

Петр: Да, конечно.

Gerald: Could you tell me about most popular modern writers?

Петр: У нас много писателей, пользующихся известностью. Но ведь на вкус и цвет товарища нет. Мои любимые писатели — Симонов, Бондарев, Астафьев, Шукшин и это только немногие из них.

Gerald: Were any of their works translated into English?

Петр: Да, конечно. У меня есть роман Бондарева «Выбор» («Choice») на английском языке.

Gerald: May I borrow it?

Петр: Я с удовольствием дам вам его почитать.

Gerald: Thank you very much. Could you name most popular modern poets?

Петр: Многим очень нравятся стихи Рождественского, Гамзатова, Казаковой, Евтушенко, и я мог бы назвать еще массу имен. Между прочим, журнал «Советская литература» печатается на английском языке.

Gerald: What does it publish?

Петр: В нем публикуются переводы рассказов, отрывков из произведений современных писателей, стихи и публицистические статьи.

Gerald: It’s very interesting. I’ve never heard about it.

Exercise 9. Translate into English.

1. — Не могли бы вы назвать своих любимых писателей?

— Мои любимые писатели Шолохов, Симонов, Бондарев, Распутин, Астафьев, Айтматов, и это лишь немногие из них. Мне нравятся очень многие молодые писатели.

2. — Кого из русских писателей знают английские студенты?

— Большинство знает Льва Толстого, Чехова, Достоевского и Тургенева.

— Знают ли они современных русских писателей?

— Очень немногие знают Шолохова и Леонова.

3. — Кто из современных английских писателей вам нравится?

— Я люблю читать произведения Айрис Мердок, Грэма Грина, Пристли (Priestley [ʹpri:stlɪ]), Олдриджа (Aldridge [ʹɔ:1drɪdʒ]) и многих других писателей.

— Читали ли вы уже книги в оригинале (in the original)?

4. — Видели ли вы пьесу Пристли «Визит инспектора» («An Inspector [ɪnʹspektə] Calls») по телевидению?

— Да, и спектакль произвел на меня большое впечатление.

— Каково основное содержание пьесы?

— По-моему, протест против социальной несправедливости (social injustice).

5. — Где происходит действие романа Ч. П. Сноу «Новые люди»?

— В маленькой деревне недалеко от Стрэтфорда-он- Эйвоне и в Лондоне.

— Каково основное содержание романа?

— Это проблема совести, долга и ответственности ученых.

6. — Каково основное содержание романа?

— Конфликт отцов и детей.

— Какова главная идея романа?

— Писатель хочет привлечь внимание читателей к тому, (to the fact that), что этические нормы очень важны в настоящее время.

7. — Как называется книга, которую вы читаете?

— «Портрет Дориана Грея» роман Оскара Уайлда («The Picture of Dorian [ʹdɔ:rɪən] Gray», a novel by Oscar Wilde [ʹwaɪld])

— Кто главные действующие лица романа?

— Дориан Грей и его друзья: Безил (Basil [ʹbæzl]), художник и лорд Генри.

— Где происходит действие?

— В основном в Лондоне.

— Вам понравился роман?

— Да, хотя мне не понравилась основная идея произведения.

Exercise 10. Маке up conversations based on these situations.

1. Speak about modern Russian writers (poets). 2. Speak about Russian writers. 3. Speak about British writers. 4. Discuss the novel you have read. Exchange your impressions.

LIST OF WORDS

Part I

УСЛОВНЫЕ СОКРАЩЕНИЯ

а — adjective [ʹædʒɪktɪv] имя прилагательное

adv — adverb [ʹædvə:b] наречие

Am. — American [əʹmerɪkn] американский (вариант английского языка)

Ant. — antonym [ʹæntənɪm] антоним

Br. — British [ʹbrɪtɪʃ] британский (вариант английского языка)

cnj — conjunction [kənʹʤʌŋkʃn] союз

etc. — et cetera [ɪtʹsetrə] и так далее

indef — indefinite [ɪnʹdefɪnɪt] неопределенный

n — noon [naun] имя существительное

пит — numeral [ʹnjumərəl] числительное

part — particle [ʹpɑ:tɪkl] частица

pl. — plural [ʹplu:rəl] множественное число

predic. — predicative [prɪʹdɪkətɪv] предикативное употребление, предикативно

prep — preposition [͵prepəʹzɪʃn] предлог

pron — pronoun [ʹprounaun] местоимение

sing. — singular [ʹsɪŋɡjulə] единственное число

Syn. — synonym [ʹsɪnənɪm] синоним

v — verb [və:b] глагол

A

about [əʹbaut] prep о, относительно (указывает на объект разговора, обсуждения и т.п.)

about adv около, приблизительно; It was about five o’clock then. I think Peter’s father is about fifty.

abroad [əʹbrɔ:d] adv за границей, за границу; Не lived abroad for many years; to go abroadехать за границу

absent [ʹæbsənt] а отсутствующий; to be absent отсутствовать; ʹIs ʹBen ↗absent today?

achievement [əʹtʃi:vmənt] n достижение

acting [ʹæktɪŋ] n театр. игра

action [ʹækʃn] п действие, развертывание событий (в романе, пьесе и т. п.)

after [ʹɑ:ftə] prep 1. за (указывает на следование по порядку или по важности); Repeat this sentence after me; 2. после (во временном значении указывает на последовательную смену явлений); after classes после занятий

after [ʹɑ:ftə] prep после (указывает на последовательную смену явлений)

again [əʹɡen] adv снова, вновь, опять; Say it again, please.

age [eɪʤ] n возраст; at the age of ten (twenty, etc.) в возрасте десяти (двадцати и т. д.) лет; At what age did your brother leave school?

air [ɛə] n воздух; vast [vɑ:st] masses of cold air огромные массы холодного воздуха; fresh airсвежий воздух; I must get some fresh air. Мне нужно прогуляться.

all [ɔ:l] indef pron все; Would you like to take all? That’s all. (Это все. Вот и все.

all pron все; All of us are here. Мы все здесь.

all right 1. predic. удовлетворительный, достаточный; Are you all right in this room? 2. predic. подходящий, не вызывающий возражений; Would 11.30 be all right? 11.30 вас устроит? That’s all right. Хорошо (меня это устраивает и т. п.). Ничего (в ответ на извинение).

almost [ʹɔ:1moust] adv почти, чуть не, едва не; Не has almost done his homework.

along [əʹlɔŋ] prep вдоль (по), по; They walked along Ostozhenka (Street).

along [əʹlɔŋ] prep вдоль; There are some shelves along the bedroom walls.

also [ʹɔ:lsou] adv тоже, также; Peter is also a student. He also came back yesterday. go by bus (by tube [tju:b], by car, etc.) ехать автобусом (на метро, на машине и т. п.); Did you go there by bus or by tube? ПРИМЕЧАНИЕ. Обратите внимание на то, что в разных странах для выражения ехать на метро употребляются разные слова: в Англии — to go by tube, в России — to go by underground, в США — to go by subway.

altogether [͵ɔ:ltəʹɡeðə] adv всего; How much is it altogether? Сколько всего это стоит? change [tʃeɪnʤ] n сдача; Here is your change.

am [æm, əm, m] v 1-е лицо ед. числа глагола be быть.

and [ænd, ənd, ən, n] cnj и

and so on и так далее, и тому подобное; You can buy there pens, pencils, notebooks and so on.

announce [əʹnauns] v объявлять, сообщать (по радио, на собрании и т. п.)

announcer [əʹnaunsə] n диктор

answer [ʹɑ:nsə] n ответ

answer [ʹɑ:nsə] v отвечать; to answer a letter (a question [ʹkwestʃn]) отвечать на письмо (на вопрос)

apple [ʹæpl] п яблоко

apple-pie [ʹæplpaɪ] яблочный пирог; I’d like a cup of tea and some apple-pie.

around [əʹround] prep вокруг, около; She is around forty. Ей около сорока (либо сорок, либо немногим меньше сорока).

arrive [əʹraɪv] v прибывать; to arrive in Moscow (London, Russia, etc.) прибывать в Москву (Лондон, Россию и т. д.); The French Foreign Minister [mɪnɪstə] arrived in London yesterday; to arrive at an airport (a station, a small town); When did they arrive at Vnukovo Airport?

art [a:t] n искусство; My eldest brother is fond of art.

article [ʹɑ:tɪkl n статья; Are you going to read this article?

as cnj в качестве, как (вводит предикатив и др. члены предложения); to work as teacher (journalist, etc.).

as cnj когда, в то время, как; As we were leaving home, it started snowing.

ask [ɑ:sk] v приглашать; to ask smb. to dinner; It is nice of you to ask us to dinner.

ask [ɑ:sk] v спрашивать; to ask a question задать вопрос; The teacher is asking questions and we are answering them.; to ask smb. about smth. спрашивать кого-л. о чем-л.

at last adv наконец; At last it stopped raining.

at present [ʹprezənt] в настоящее время; I don’t need any more books at present.

attack [əʹtæk] v нападать, атаковать

attend [əʹtend] v посещать, присутствовать; to attend a lecture (a meeting, a party); Sorry, I cannot attend the lecture today.

attention [əʹtenʃn] n внимание; to draw amb.’s attention to smth. привлекать чье-л. внимание к чему-л.; The writer draws the attention of the readers to the duties and responsibilities of scientists.

automobile [ʹɔ:təməbi:l] n автомобиль

average [ʹævərɪʤ] а средний; What’s the average temperature in Moscow in May?

award [əʹwɔ:d] v награждать; to be awarded быть награжденным; Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925. В 1925 г. Шоу был награжден Нобелевской премией за достижения в области литературы.

awful [ʹɔ:fl] а ужасный

B

bacon [ʹbeɪkn] n копченая свиная грудинка, бекон.

bad [bæd] а плохой

bag n сумка, чемодан, саквояж

bascart [ʹbɑ:skɑ:t] n тележка с установленной на ней корзиной (используется в магазинах самообслуживания)

basic sentences [ʹbeɪsɪk ʹsentənsɪz] основные модели предложений

bathe [beɪð] v купаться (в реке, в море); Let’s go and bathe after classes.

be able to мочь, быть в состоянии; Are you able to come?

be about to do smth. собираться (намереваться) сделать что-л.; Не was about to leave for work. Он как раз собирался уходить на работу.

be based [beɪst] on основываться на; The film is based on Dostoyevski’s novel «The Brothers Karamazov».

be born [bɔ:n] v родиться; Charles Dickens was born in 1812.

be famous for быть известным, славиться чем-л.; St. Petersburg is famous for its monuments.

be fond of [bɪ ʹfɔnd əv] любить, увлекаться чем-л.; Mr Wilson is fond of Russian literature isn’t he? to be fond of doing smth. любить делать что-л.; He is fond of driving a car.

be in находиться, быть на месте, дома. Is he in? Ant. be out не быть на месте, дома, отсутствовать; He’s out; to be away быть в отъезде

be interested [ʹɪntrɪstɪd] in smth. интересоваться чем-л.; Are you interested in art? Вас интересует искусство? (Интересуетесь ли вы искусством?)

be on business быть в командировке ; Are you here on business?

be out выйти из печати, выходить; His book is out, isn’t it?

be over [ʹouvə] окончиться, завершиться; The lesson is over. Урок окончен.

be to (a place) посещать, бывать (где-л.) (обычно употр. в Present Perfect): Have you ever been to Paris?

be translated v быть переведенным; Last year his novel was translated into English.

be well быть здоровым, хорошо себя чувствовать; «How are you?» «I’m well, thank you.» Спасибо, я хорошо себя чувствую. «Very well, thank you.» Благодарю, я очень хорошо себя чувствую.

beach [bi:ts] n пляж; on the beach на пляже

beat (beat, beaten [bi:t, ʹbi:tn] v 1. бить, ударять; 2. спорт. победить, побить; I wonder if Spartak beat Tractor yesterday.

beautiful [ʹbju:təfl] а прекрасный, красивый

bed [bed] п кровать

bedroom [ʹbedrum] n спальня

believe [bɪʹli:v] v верить; Do you believe him?

belong [bɪʹlɔŋ] v (to) принадлежать; Who does this book belong to? What party do you belong to?

bench п скамья, скамейка; front bench передняя скамья (одна из двух передних скамей в палате общин справа и слева от спикера)

between [bɪʹtwi:n] prep между (промежуток времени между какими-л. двумя моментами); Could you come between eleven and twelve in the morning?

birthday [ʹbə:θdeɪ] n день рождения; Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday; birthday party [ʹpɑ:tɪ] прием гостей по поводу дня рождения

black [blæk] а черный

black coffee черный кофе; I like black coffee.

blackboard [ʹblækbɔ:d] n классная доска

block of fiats многоквартирный дом

blow (blew, blown ) [blou, blu:, bloun] v дуть; Western winds often blow in summer.

blow [blou] (blew, blown [blu:, bloun]) v дуть

blue [blu:] а голубой; This is a blue hat.

boat [bout] n лодка; to go boating кататься на лодке; Will you go boating tomorrow morning?

bomb [bɔm] n бомба; atomic [əʹtɔmɪk] bomb атомная бомба

book [buk] n книга

book v заказывать; to book seats заказывать места (билеты); to book tickets [ʹtɪkɪts] for the theatre (concert, cinema, etc.) заказывать билеты в театр (на концерт, в кинотеатр)

bookshop [ʹbukʃɔp] n книжный магазин

A. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT RUSSIAN WRITERS?

(A talk between Bill Anderson, a lecturer at London University, and Peter Sedov, a Russian teacher, who is teaching Russian at London University.)

Bill Anderson: Peter, could you do me a favour? (1)

Peter Sedov: You’re welcome.

Bill: Could you name most popular modern Russian writters?

Peter: Well, you know, tastes differ. My favourite modern writers are Solzhenitsyn, Bondarev, Rasputin, Lipatov to name only a few.

Bill: Were any of their works translated into English?

Peter: I think so. I have Bondarev’s «Bank» (2) in English.

Bill: May I borrow it?

Peter: Yes, certainly. I’ll bring it tomorrow.

Bill: Thank you very much. Unfortunately I don’t know any of your modern writers.

Peter: I hope you’ll enjoy these novels.

В. TELL ME ABOUT BRITISH WRITERS, PLEASE

A: Who are the most popular writers in Great Britain at present?

B: It’s a diffucult question. Tastes differ, you know. I’d say the most popular fiction writers are Graham Greene, Iris Murdoch, Agatha Christie, to name only a few.

A: As to Graham Greene, Iris Murdoch and Agatha Christie I’ve read some of their books in translation. They impressed me greatly. I especially liked Graham Greene’s novels «The Comedians» and «The Honorary Consul». (3) I wonder whether John Galsworthy, Bernard Shaw, Somerset Maugham and Arnold Bennett are as popular as they used to be. (4)

В: I don’t think so though many of their books are republished. Galsworthy is my favourite writer. He’s a classic. I hear most of Galsworthy’s novels were translated into Russian.

A: Oh, yes. I think I’ve read all the books that were translated.

B: I’m surprised at you, Russians. You seem to know English literature better than we do. (5)

C. COULD YOU ADVISE ME AN ENGLISH NOVEL TO READ?

Peter Rostov: Could you advise me an English novel to read?

John Brown: I’d advise you to read C.P Snow’s novel «The New Men». Though C.P. Snow wrote it over thirty years ago, the book has stood the test of time.

Rostov: What’s the subject-matter of the book?

Brown: As far as I understand it’s the problem of conscience, duties and responsibilities of scientists.

Rostov: Who are the main characters?

Brown: To my mind the two brothers — Lewis and Martin Eliot.

Rostov: When and where does the action take place?

Rostov: Excuse my interrupting you. Did the scientists try to do something?

Brown: Yes, they did. They signed a protest and took it to Washington.

Rostov: But the American military didn’t listen to the scientists as the events showed.

Brown: Unfortunately, they didn’t.

Rostov: What do you think the message of the novel is?

Brown: I think the writer wanted to draw the attention of the people to the danger of atomic bombs. To my mind the social value of the novel is undoubted. Look, I advise you to read the novel yourself and form your own opinion. When you finish it we’ll be able to discuss it. I could lend you the book, by the way.

Rostov: Thank you.

D. I AM FOND OF MUSIC

(Jane, an English student has just returned from a concert. She meets Mary, a Russian exchange postgraduate.)

Mary: Hello. How are you?

Jane: Fine, thanks. I’ve just been to Richter’s concert.

Mary: Did you enjoy the concert?

Jane: It was splendid.

Mary: What did he play?

Mary: Yes, he certainly is. By the way, the Chamber Orchestra «Moscow Virtuosos * » is on tour in Great Britain now. Would you care to attend their concert next Friday? I’ve got two tickets.

Jane: I’d love to. Thank you very much. I’ve read a review about the concert. It says they’re marvellous. I’m fond of music.

Names

Graham Greene [ʹɡreɪəm ʹɡri:n] Грэм Грин

Iris Murdoch [ʹaɪərɪs ʹmə:dək] Айрис Мердок

John Galsworthy [ʹdʒɔn ʹɡɔ:lzwəðɪ] Джон Голсуорси

Somerset Maugham [ʹsɔməsət ʹmɔ:əm] Сомерсет Моэм

Arnold Bennett [ʹɑ:nld ʹbenət] Арнольд Беннет

C. P. Snow [ʹsi: ʹpi: ʹsnou] Чарльз Перси Сноу

Notes

(1) Could you do me a favour [ʹfeɪvə]? He могли бы вы сделать мне одолжение?

(3) «The Comedians» [kəʹmi:dɪənz] and «The Honorary Consul» [ʹɔnərərɪ ʹkɔnsl] «Комедианты» и «Почетный консул»

(4) as they used [ju:st] to be как были раньше (как бывало)

(5) You seem to know English literature better than we do. Кажется, вы знаете английскую литературу лучше нас.

Part two

Урок 2

Conversations: A. Asking the Way.

C. Taking а Taxi.

D. Telephone Conversation.

Learn these words and word combinations

left n левая сторона; on the left слева, с левой стороны; on your left слева от вас; You’ll see a supermarket on your left.

to turn (to the) left поворачивать налево; Turn left at the school and you’ll see the bus-stop.

right [raɪt] n правая сторона; on the right справа, с правой стороны; on your right справа от вас; to turn (to the) right поворачивать направо

straight [streɪt] on adv прямо; Turn left at the supermarket and then go straight on.

far (farther, farthest) adv далеко, на большом расстоянии; Is it far? far from далеко от; Is Red Square far from here?

car—driver n водитель (автомобиля)

passer—by [ʹpɑ:səbaɪ] n (pl. passers-by) прохожий

way [weɪ] n 1. дорога, путь; I’ll ask the way. Я спрошу дорогу. Could you tell me the way to the nearest underground station? He могли бы вы сказать мне, как пройти к ближайшей станции метро? 2. дорожные знаки: «No Through Way» «Проезда (прохода) нет»; «Way Up» «Наверх»; «Way Down” «Вниз»

turn round v поворачивать назад

traffic—lights [ʹtræfɪk͵laɪts] n светофор.

distance [ʹdɪstəns] n расстояние; What distance is it to Kiev? It’s no distance at all. Это совсем близко.

stranger [ʹstreɪnʤə] n чужой, нездешний, незнакомец

policeman [pəʹli:smən] n полицейский, полисмен

conductor [kənʹdʌktə] n кондуктор автобуса (в Великобритании)

put down v высаживать; to put smb. down at a stop высадить кого-л. на остановке, сказать кому-л., что это его остановка; Did you ask the conductor to put you down at the department store?

get off v выходить (из автобуса, трамвая и т. п.); to get off at the next stop; You’ll have to get off at the next stop.

wrong [rɔŋ] а неправильный, ошибочный, ложный, не тот (который нужен); I’m afraid you’re wrong. Боюсь, что вы ошибаетесь. His answer is wrong. to go the wrong way идти не в ту сторону, не по той дороге; They went the wrong way.

change v пересаживаться, делать пересадку; to change (for a train) at a station; You’ll have to change at Trafalgar [trəʹfælɡə] Square for a 11 or a 12 bus. Вам нужно пересесть на Трафальгарской площади на автобус 11 или 12.

post-office [ʹpoust͵ɔfɪs] п почтовое отделение, почта

taxi [ʹtæksɪ] п такси; to take a taxiбрать (взять) такси; You are going to take a taxi, aren’t you? It’s a long distance.

promise [ʹprɔmɪs] v обещать; I promised to call him back.

do one’s best сделать все возможное; все, что в твоих силах; They are doing their best. Они делают все, что в их силах.

in time вовремя; You’re just in time. Вы пришли (приехали) как раз вовремя.

keep (kept) v зд. не возвращать, оставлять себе. You can keep the book. I do not need it.

appointment [əʹpɔɪntmənt] n (деловая) встреча, (деловое) свидание; to make (to have) an appointment договориться о встрече; Did you make an appointment with Mr Britton for ten o’clock? to keep (to break) an appointment прийти (не прийти) на свидание; I’m afraid I’ll have to break the appointment with Mr Smith.

possible [ʹpɔsəbl] а возможный; I’m sure he’ll do everything possible to help you. Я уверен, он сделает все возможное, чтобы помочь вам. as soon as possible как можно скорее; Please come back as soon as possible.

urgent [ʹə:ʤənt] а срочный, неотложный, безотлагательный; The matter is urgent. Это срочное (неотложное, безотлагательное) дело.

perhaps [pəʹhæps] adv может быть, возможно; пожалуй; Perhaps he’ll lend you the book.

perfect [ʹpə:fɪkt] а совершенный, прекрасный, идеальный, безупречный; The weather was perfect. It’s perfect. Прекрасно. (Идеально.)

the Ministry of Foreign Trade Министерство внешней торговли

hold the line не вешайте трубку (подождите у телефона)

available [əʹveɪləbl] a: Is Mr Brown available just now? Можно видеть сейчас г-на Брауна (поговорить сейчас с г-ном Брауном)?

put smb. through [θru:] to smb. v соединить кого-л. с кем-л. (по телефону)

believe [bɪʹli:v] v полагать, думать; I believe he’s already completed the novel.

show n выставка; the International Agricultural [͵æɡrɪʹkʌltʃərəl] Show Международная сельскохозяйственная выставка

official [əʹfɪʃl] а официальный; Is the news official? Это официальное сообщение?

opening [ʹoup(ə)nɪŋ] n открытие; Would you like to attend the official opening of the exhibition?

mind [maɪnd] v: if you don’t mind если вы не возражаете (не имеете ничего против)

send (sent) v посылать, отправлять; When did you send the letter?

complimentary [͵kɔmplɪʹmentrɪ] ticket пригласительный билет, контрамарка

A. Asking the Way

A: Excuse me. Can you tell me where South Street is, please?

B: Take the second (1) on the left and go straight on.

B: No, it’s only about five minutes walk.

A (car-driver to a passer-by): Excuse me, please. Could you tell me the way to the station?

B: Turn round and turn left at the traffic-lights.

A: Will it take me long?

B: No, it’s no distance at all.

A: Excuse me, can you tell me where the nearest underground station is?

B: I’m a stranger here. You’d better ask the policeman.

B: You’re going the wrong way. Go straight on and take the second on the right. You’ll see it on your left.

В: Yes, take a 12 (4) and ask the conductor to put you down at Trafalgar Square.

A: Does this bus go to the station?

B: No, you’ll have to get off at the bank and take a 12.

A: Can you tell me where to get off?

A: Is this the right bus for the Town Hall?

B: No, you’re going the wrong way. You’ll have to change at the post-office and take a 192.

C. Taking a Taxi

A: Thanks a lot. Here’s 80 p. You can keep the change. (Here’s a pound. Give me 20 p change, please.)

D. Telephone Conversation

Secretary: Good morning. Mr Browning’s office.

Victorov: Good morning. Can I speak to Mr Browning, please? This is Victorov speaking.

Secretary: Mr Browning is out. Can I help you, Mr Victorov?

Victorov: I’d like to have an appointment with Mr Browning.

Secretary: When would you like to come?

Victorov: As soon as possible.

Secretary: I’m afraid there’s nothing tomorrow. Mr Browning is very busy just now. If it is urgent, perhaps we could find time tomorrow.

Victorov: No, it isn’t as urgent as that. It can wait until the day after tomorrow.

Secretary: What time could you come on Wednesday?

Victorov: As late as possible in the afternoon.

Secretary: Would 4.30 be all right?

Victorov: Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you. Goodbye.

Secretary: Goodbye, Mr Victorov.

Secretary: Good morning. British Embassy.

Petrov: Good morning. I’d like to speak to Mr Weston, please.

Secretary: Who’s calling, please?

Petrov: This is George Petrov from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Trade.

Mr Weston: Hello, Mr Petrov.

Petrov: Hello. I believe you know that the International Agricultural Show is to open next Wednesday, September 8th in Sokolniki Park. I wonder whether you would like to attend the official opening.

Mr Weston: Thank you very much for the invitation. Unfortunately I can’t accept it. I have another engagement. I think Mr Morton will be able to attend the opening if you don’t mind.

Petrov: We’ll be glad to see Mr Morton. We’re sending a Complimentary Ticket for him. Goodbye.

Mr Weston: Goodbye.

Notes

(1) Take the second (разг. сокр. от the second turning второй поворот). Поверните на вторую улицу.

(2) Excuse me, officer [ʹɔfɪsə]. В Англии принято обращаться к полицейскому, употребляя слово officer (офицер).

(3) the National Gallery Национальная галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание картин, находится на площади Трафальгар-Сквер в Лондоне)

(4) take a 12 (twelve) (разг. сокр. от take a number 12). Обратите внимание на то, как произносятся номера автобусов до 100 — как количественные числительные: take a 22 (twenty two), a 97 (ninety seven); после 100 — take a 22 произносится каждая цифра: take a 182 (one-eight-two).

(5) It’s the next stop but one. Это вторая остановка (через одну остановку).

(7) 70 p (pence) 70 пенсов

Урок 4

Conversations: A. Suggestions about What a Person Should See.

B. Impressions of a Visit.

Learn these words and word combinations

suggestion [seʹʤestʃn] n предложение, совет

several [ʹsevrl] а несколько; I visited the British Museum several times.

be away [əʹweɪ] v не быть дома (в учреждении); быть в отъезде; How long will Mr Smith be away?

historian [hɪʹstɔ:rɪən] и историк

architectural [͵ɑ:kɪtektʃərl] а архитектурный

fascinating [ʹfæsɪneɪtɪŋ] а восхитительный, очаровательный, пленительный; Your new poem is fascinating.

call v называть; She is called Jane. Ее зовут Джейн. What do you call this? Как это называется?

Arab [ʹærəb] а арабский

get to know узнать; When you get to know them you’ll like them.

recommend [͵rekəʹmend] v рекомендовать, советовать; Can you recommend me a good novel? I would strongly recommend you to go there by air. Я бы очень посоветовал вам полететь туда на самолете.

way п путь, дорога; on one’s way по пути; On my way to college I met John. out of the way лежащий не по пути (в стороне); Unfortunately this tittle town is out of the way.

journey [ʹʤə:nɪ] n поездка; Have a good journey! Счастливого пути!

expect [ɪksʹpekt] v ожидать, ждать; We expected you yesterday.

at least по крайней мере, самое меньшее; You should also visit Pskov at least for a few hours.

birthplace [ʹbə:θp1eɪs] n место рождения

find [faɪnd] (found [faund]) out разузнать, выяснить; Please find out when he train starts.

appreciate [əʹpri:ʃɪeɪt] v ценить, быть признательным (за что- л.); I appreciate your kindness.

feel (felt, felt) v чувствовать, ощущать; How are you feeling today? to feel cold (happy, comtortable) ощущать холод (чувствовать себя счастливым, чувствовать себя хорошо (удобно); I feel very cold. Мне очень холодно.

conference [ʹkɔnfərəns] п конференция

the Far East Дальний Восток

geologist [ʤɪʹɔləʤɪst] п геолог

sponsor [ʹspɔnsə] v устраивать, организовывать; быть инициатором, спонсором

branch п отделение, филиал

full а полный, наполненный, преисполненный; You must be full of impressions. У вас, должно быть, масса впечатлений.

prospect [ʹprɔspekt] п (обыкн. pl.) перспектива, виды, планы на будущее; What are your prospects? Каковы ваши планы на будущее?

development [dɪʹveləpmənt] п развитие, рост, совершенствование

discussion [dɪsʹkʌʃn] п обсуждение, дискуссия; to have а discussion about smth. обсуждать, дискутировать что-л.; They had a discussion about the prospects for the development of Siberia.

lively [ʹlaɪvlɪ] а оживленный; a lively discussion оживленное обсуждение

fruitful [ʹfru:tfl] а плодотворный; Their discussion was lively and fruitful.

happen [ʹhæpn] v 1. случаться, происходить; to happen to smb. случаться с кем-л.; What happened to him? 2. оказываться случайно; He happened to be there. Он случайно оказался там.

participant [pɑ:ʹtɪsɪpənt] n участник; a participant in a conference (a meeting, etc.) участник конференции (встречи и т.п.)

taiga [ʹtaɪɡɑ:] п тайга

hydroelectric [ʹhaɪdro(u) ɪʹlektrɪk] station гидроэлектростанция

friendly [ʹfrendlɪ] а дружеский, дружески расположенный; дружелюбный; to be friendly with smb. быть в дружеских отношениях с кем-л.; Is John friendly with Peter?

hospitable [ʹhɔspɪtəbl] а гостеприимный, радушный

including [ɪnʹklu:dɪŋ] prep включая, в том числе

the present state of affairs [əʹfɛəz] современное положение

find [faɪnd] (found [faund]) v считать, находить; How do you find him? Как вы его находите?

peace [pi:s] n мир

discuss [dɪsʹkʌs] v обсуждать; Let’s discuss the question.

forum [ʹfɔ:rəm] n форум

A. Suggestions about What a Person Should See

At a reception in the Russian Embassy Mr Mitchell, a British journalist, meets George Danilov, a Russian journalist. They have met several times before.

Mr Mitchell: Hello, George.

George Danilov: Good evening. How are you?

M: I’m fine, thank you. And what about you?

D: Yes. I’ve just returned from my holiday.

M: Where did you go for your holiday?

D: Yes. My wife and I made a tour of Central Asia.

D: Yes, certainly. The architectural monuments of these two cities are fascinating. In the past Arab poets called Samarkand «the Eden of the ancient East (3) «. I think your wife should try to see these cities.

M: I wonder how long the trip will take her.

D: If she wants to really get to know Samarkand and Bukhara it’ll take her about a couple of weeks. I would strongly recommend your wife to see some modern cities, too.

D: It’s a pleasure.

Nicholai Stepanov, a teacher of Russian, has been staying in London for a few months. Next Saturday morning he is leaving for Edinburgh. Last Tuesday Nicholai saw Bernard Law, a London University lecturer and asked his advice.

Bernard Law: I’ll be glad to if I can.

S: Next Saturday morning I’m going to Edinburgh by car. What would you advise me to see on my way there?

L: Well, it’s going to be a long journey. When are you expected in Edinburgh?

S: Next Monday afternoon.

L: You should try to see Oxford though it’s a little out of the way. I suggest you should also spend at least а few hours in Coventry and see the Cathedral.

S: Is Robert Burns’s birthplace far from Edinburgh?

L: I’m sorry to say I’ve never been there. You see Burns isn’t as popular in England as (he is) in Scotland and abroad. I’m sure you’ll easily find it out in Edinburgh.

S: I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

L: It’s a pleasure.

B. Impressions of a Visit

Jim Brown: Hello, Henry.

Henry Sloan: Hello. How are you feeling?

Jim: I’m OK, thank you. And what about you?

Henry: I’m well, thanks. Have you been away? I phoned you several times but there was no answer.

Jim: Yes, I’ve just returned from a conference in Khabarovsk.

Henry: Where’s that? In Africa?

Jim: Oh, no. It’s in the Far East.

Henry: How very interesting! What were you doing there?

Jim: I attended the UNESCO (6) conference of geologists. It was sponsored by our branch.

Henry: You must be full of impressions.

Jim: Yes, indeed. That was a very interesting conference. Russian colleagues told us about the prospects for the development of the Far East. The discussion was lively and fruitful.

Henry: Did you happen to visit any other places in the Far East?

Jim: Yes. The participants made a fantastic tour of the Far East. We visited the Kolyma, taiga, a hydroelectric station. Yakutsk, Chukotka and Sakhalin.

Henry: Did you meet many Russian people?

Jim: Quite a few! Among them scientists, workers and students. I must say the people were friendly and hospitable.

Henry: What did you talk with them about?

Jim: A lot of things including the present state of affairs in the world. I have the impression that all the Russian people want peace. I found that peace is discussed everywhere nowadays, at international forums and over a cup of tea (7) at home.

Samarkand [ʹsæmərkænd] г. Самарканд

Bukhara [buʹkɑ:rə] г. Бухара

Coventry [ʹkɔvəntrɪ] г. Ковентри

Khabarovsk [hʌʹbɑ:rəfsk] г. Хабаровск

Kolyma [kʌʹlɪmə] p. Колыма

Yakutsk [jeʹku:tsk] г. Якутск

Chukotka [ʧuʹkɔ:tkə] п-ов Чукотка

(1) Haven’t (I haven’t) seen you for ages. He видел вас тысячу лет. (Давно не видел вас.)

(3) the Eden of the ancient East Эдем (рай) Древнего Востока

(4) Your advice was most helpful. Ваш совет был очень полезен. (Благодарю вас за совет.)

(5) Could you do me a favour [ʹfeɪvə]? He могли бы вы сделать мне одолжение?

(6) the UNESCO [ju:ʹneskou] = the United Nations Educational [͵edjuʹkeɪʃnl], Scientific [͵saɪənʹtɪfɪk] and Cultural Organization [͵ɔ:ɡənaɪʹzeɪʃn] ЮНЕСКО, Организация Объединенных Наций по вопросам образования, науки и культуры

(7) over a cup of tea за чашкой чая

Урок 6

Conversations: A. A Visit to the «Young Pioneers» Stadium.

B. Sport in British Schools.

C. At the Doctor’s.

Learn these words and word combinations

pioneer [͵paɪəʹnɪə] п пионер

stadium [ʹstəɪdɪəm] n стадион; Spartak Stadium стадион «Спартак»

lounge [launʤ] n вестибюль, гостиная (в отеле и т. п.)

sleep п сон; I had a good night sleep

sleep (slept) v спать; I don’t want to sleep now.

start v. to start with doing smth. Let’s start with visiting the British Museum; to start smth. with smth.; He often starts his lesson with questions.

teenager [ʹti:neɪʤə] n подросток; юноша или девушка

objection [əbʹʤekʃn] n возражение

train v тренировать(ся) ; My brother trains quite a time every day.

sports events [ɪʹvents] спортивные соревнования

sports club спортивный клуб (спортивное общество)

function [ʹfʌŋkʃn] v функционировать, действовать; работать.

admit [ədʹmɪt] v принимать; допускать; впускать; to admit to school (college, club) принять в школу (в колледж, в клуб); I wonder who is admitted to colleges in this country.

support [səʹpɔ:t] n помогать (материально), обеспечивать; Schools are supported by the state in our country.

trade union профсоюз

fee n взнос; club fee членский взнос

free of charge бесплатно

coach v спорт. тренировать(ся), готовить(ся) к состязаниям; Coaching is free of charge here.

only [ʹounlɪ] а единственный; Is this the only sports club for teenagers?

basketball [ʹbɑ:skɪtbɔ:l] n баскетбол

pretty [ʹprɪtɪ] adv разг. довольно, достаточно; в значительной степени; George plays tennis pretty well.

relaxation [͵ri:lækʹseɪʃn] n отдых; передышка; развлечение; Playing tennis is the best kind of relaxation for me.

stop v останавливать(ся); He stopped near the entrance to the exhibition. to stop to talk (to read, ete.) остановиться, чтобы поговорить (прочитать и т.п.); Не stopped to watch the boys play basketball.

volleyball [ʹvɔlɪbɔ:l] n волейбол

compete [kəmʹpi:t] v состязаться, соревноваться, участвовать в соревновании

hack and field events соревнования по легкой атлетике

kind п вид, сорт, разновидность; What kind of person is he? Что он за человек? What kinds of sports do you have in your schools? Какими видами спорта занимаются в ваших школах?

various [ʹvɛərɪəs] а различный, разный; It can be done in various ways. Это может быть сделано по-разному.

offer [ʹɔfə] v предлагать (помощь, что-л.); Не offered me his help. He offered to help me.

opportunity [͵ɔpə’tju:nɪtɪ] n возможность, (удобный) случай; I didn’t get (he opportunity to speak to him. У меня не было (я не имел) возможности поговорить с ним.

team games командные игры

cricket [ʹkrɪkɪt] п крикет

rugger [ʹrʌɡə] п разг. от rugby регби

soccer [ʹsɔkə] п футбол

rounders [ʹraundəz] п английская лапта

baseball [ʹbeɪsbɔ:l] п бейсбол

athletics [æθʹletɪks] п легкая атлетика

athletic [æθʹletɪk] а атлетический;

athletic sports легкая атлетика

facility [fəʹsɪlɪtɪ] п (обычно pl.) условия; There are excellent facilities for athletics here.

attention n: to pay attention to smth. обращать внимание на что-л.; We pay a great deal of attention to the development of sport.

training n тренировка

body [ʹbɔdɪ] n тело

character [ʹkærəktə] n характер

record [ʹrekɔ:d] n рекорд; to establish [ɪsʹtæblɪʃ] a record for smth. установить рекорд в чем- л.; Не established the record for the 100 m run. Он установил рекорд в беге на 100 метров.

sportsman [ʹspɔ:tsmən] п спортсмен

nation [ʹneɪʃn] п 1. нация; 2. страна.

physician [fɪʹzɪʃn] n врач (терапевт); at the physician’s у врача

form п медицинская карта

What’s the trouble [ʹtrʌbl]? Что случилось?

feverish [ʹfi:vərɪʃ] а лихорадочный; The child feels feverish. У ребенка жар (ребенка лихорадит).

throat [θrout] п горло, гортань, глотка; зев;

sore [sɔ:] throat воспаленное горло, ангина; I have a sore throat. У меня болит горло.

slip off v снимать

blouse [blauz] n блузка

chest п грудная клетка, грудь; to listen to one’s chest послушать (легкие и сердце)

breathe [brɪ:ð] v дышать; to breathe in вдохнуть; «Please breathe in,» said the doctor.

to breathe out выдохнуть

cough [kɔf] v кашлять; Have you been coughing much? take one’s temperature мерить (измерять) температуру; Will you take your temperature, please?

thermometer [θəʹmomɪtə] n термометр

tongue [tʌŋ] n язык a bit n небольшое количество, немного, чуть-чуть

sneeze [sni:z] v чихать; «I’ve been coughing and sneezing a lot these two days,» said Jane.

examine [ɪɡʹzæmɪn] v мед. осматривать, обследовать; выслушивать; «I’ll have to examine you,» said the doctor.

mouth [mauθ] n рот

wide adv широко; Open your mouth wide. Откройте пошире рот.

cold n простуда, грипп; to have (to have got) a cold простудиться, болеть гриппом

course [kɔ:s] мед. курс; to give a course of antibiotics [ʹæntɪbaɪʹɔtɪks] прописать (проводить) курс лечения антибиотиками

capsule [ʹkæpsju:l] п капсула; облатка

prescription [prɪsʹkrɪpʃn] рецепт; Did the doctor give him a prescription?

surgeon [ʹsə:ʤn] n хирург; at the surgeon’s у хирурга; to go to the surgeon’s пойти к хирургу

surgery [ʹsə:ʤərɪ] n кабинет или приемная врача

What’s wrong with you? Что с вами (что случилось)?

fracture [ʹfræktʃə] n перелом; разрыв; трещина

run (ran, run) v бежать, бегать; He ran as hard as he could.

ball n мяч

slip v поскользнуться

fall down (fell, fallen) v падать

pain n боль; to have (to feel) a pain чувствовать боль; I have a pain in my left hand.

get up v вставать, подниматься

careful [ʹkɛəfl] а осторожный, осмотрительный; You should be careful when you cross the street. One cannot be too careful. Осторожность не помешает.

examination [ɪɡ͵zæmɪʹneɪʃn] досмотр, освидетельствование, обследование;

X-ray [‘eksreɪ] examination рентгенологическое исследование

X-ray room рентгеновский кабинет

X-ray picture рентгеновский снимок

X-ray v делать рентгеновский снимок

drive (drove, driven [ʹdrɪvn]) v подвозить, отвозить кого-л., куда-л.; Will you drive me homo, please?

Russian Literature: 9 Famous Russian Writers You Should Know

Home / Russian Culture & Ethnography / Russian Literature: 9 Famous Russian Writers You Should Know

It’s no secret that Russia has birthed some of the greatest writers in history. The Golden age of Russian Poetry was ignited by none other than the famous Alexander Pushkin, also known as the Russian Shakespeare. However, there are many other famous Russian Writers whose profound ideas, storytelling abilities and literary works have resonated over time.

To celebrate their accomplishments, this article will give you a glimpse into the fascinating (and often tragic) lives and contributions of the top 10 famous Russian writers!

Over many historical periods, certain text forms became popular in Russia literature, such as poetry, novels and short stories. Additionally, genres such as literary realism, romance, historical dramas and political satire became increasingly prominent due to key events in Russia, namely the downfall of the Tsar’s Imperial Dynasty and the Bolshevik Revolution. Many famous Russian writers have written successful autobiographies, while others focused on works revolving around the gruelling hardships of the Soviet Union regime. Many of these Russian literature masterpieces have attracted much international acclaim and continue to be taught in modern school curriculums, transcending cultural barriers worldwide.

Table of Contents

Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)

Considered one of the world’s greatest novelists, Leo Tolstoy was best known for his realistic fiction that grappled with significant themes of religion and morality. He espoused the famous Christian doctrine of “non-resistance to evil” which essentially championed love, peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. Literary critics all over the world agree that this Russian writer was the genius behind masterpieces that evoked an introspective transparency, breaking down the human condition into minuscule fragments while relentlessly searching for life’s meaning throughout his novels. In fact, his extraordinary writing has earned him multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Interestingly, Tolstoy was often described as godlike in his powers of understanding unspoken thoughts and his embodiment as the world’s conscience. This is unparalleled when readers delve into his most famous acclaimed novels, namely War and Peace, a Russian classic which was first published in 1869. Based on the realism genre, this text explores Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812, providing a deeply intimate glimpse into the tumultuous relationships of three main characters from different families during the war.

Another literary treasure is none other than Anna Karenina, which was deemed by Tolstoy himself as his first true novel. Published in 1878, this canonical novel is set against the backdrop of 19th century Russian high society in Moscow and St Petersburg. With beautiful prose, along with complex themes of love and adultery, the text navigates a tragic love affair between Anna, a beautiful married woman and Count Vronsky, a wealthy army officer. Other wonderful classics by this Russian writer include his novellas The Death of Ivan Illyich and Resurrection, coupled with his semi-autobiographical trilogy Childhood, Boyhood and Youth.

Tolstoy was born into the wealthy Hamovniki estate of an aristocratic family, located around 210 kilometres south of Moscow. It was here in Yasnaya Polyana (Tula Province) that he spent the rest of his life writing his most important literary works. In fact, travellers can embark on a customised Moscow Tour to see the breathtaking Monument to Lev Tolstoy in the Tula Oblast. Additionally, a granite sculpture dedicated to the esteemed Russian writer was constructed in the Courtyard of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy in Prechistenka Street, Moscow. For Russian literature enthusiasts, the Leo Tolstoy State Museum is a unique, world-class depository of the writer’s handwritten heritage, brimming with books, historical documents, memorials, graphics and more. There are also various exhibitions of century-old paintings, sculptures, photos and lifetime publications dedicated towards Tolstoy.

Anton Chekhov (1860 – 1904)

Born in Taganrog Russia, Anton Chekhov was an eminent Russian playwright and master of the modern short story. Using skilled precision of language, Chekhov delved into the complex intricacies of realistic and mundane livelihoods, while unravelling the mysterious motives of his characters. This Russian writer often specialised in creating an unsettling and haunting atmosphere within the trivialities of everyday Russian life, reflective of 19th century Russian realism. Many critics and readers believe that Chekhov’s best plays and short stories have elegant simplicity and clean resolutions, devoid of obtrusive literary devices.

Considered a seminal figure who gave birth to early modernism in theatre, Chekhov’s literary genius can be seen with his most famous plays, such as The Seagull (1895) which is established in the tranquil Russian countryside at the end of the 19th century. This tragic slice-of-life drama tells the story of a struggling writer who has unrequited feelings for a young, aspiring actress. Notably, the play revolves around themes of lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires, existentialism and the search for life’s meaning. Anton Chekhov also wrote another theatrical masterpiece set in rural 19th century Russia, called Uncle Vanya (1897) which explores notions of aimlessness, regretful decisions and the loss of hope. His other notable works include The Cherry Orchard and Three Sisters.

Chekhov grew up in a working-class serf family with his father, who was a struggling merchant and a devoutly religious disciplinarian. Only a year after Chekhov’s birth, Russian peasants were emancipated and the feudal system was abolished. After his father went bankrupt, Chekhov was financially responsible for his family and frequently wrote vignettes about Russian street life to support himself while pursuing a medical degree. Since Russia had a rigid social hierarchy system, Chekhov emerged as the only great Russian writer of the 19th century who came from the peasant class. Travellers can visit Chekhov monuments in several Russian cities: Moscow, Taganrog, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk and other smaller settlements. Additionally, the Anton Chekhov House Museum on Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Street is another great attraction for any person interested in learning more about famous Russian writers!

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

Widely regarded as an influential force of 20th-century fiction, Fyodor Dostoevsky was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist. He was well-known for his deep, and often complex psychological explorations into the dark side of human nature. Notably, Dostoevsky’s works were often considered prophetic as they accurately predicted the behaviour of Russian revolutionaries once they acquired power. Like many Russian writers, his ideologies profoundly shaped various schools of psychology, theology and existentialism, while having remarkable contributions towards literary modernism.

Dostoevsky had a comfortable, middle-class upbringing on the outskirts of Moscow during the period of Tsarist Russia. His father was a successful doctor who worked in a hospital complex that provided services for the very poor. This caused young Dostoevsky to have great exposure to many harrowing experiences that his aristocratic peers would be carefully sheltered from. As he grew up, his devout Orthodox Christian faith became stronger, forged through numerous life changing experiences – affiliation with radical groups, near execution, imprisonment and forced labour in Siberia, along with epileptic seizures.

While Dostoevsky grew up in Moscow, he spent a large part of his life in St Petersburg, where many of his novels were inspired from. In fact, visitors can embark on a personalised St Petersburg Tour or overseas Student Trip to see Dostoevksy’s last apartment, which has now been transformed into a museum – Dostoevsky Museum. Here, you can learn about the author’s most famous works, coupled with his daily life and routines.

Unsurprisingly, Dostoevsky often distinguished himself from other Russian writers who came from nobility. While many of them wrote about stable traditions and “beautiful forms”, he instead explored the complicated hardships of accidental families and humiliated individuals. He often capitalised past torment and dramatized his own legendary experiences to create some of his greatest characters. These resulted in very dark, grotesque and violent works, such as Notes from Underground (1864) and Crime and Punishment (1866). Other prominent novels include The Idiot, Demons and The Brothers Karamazov. Many of these texts centred around the value of suffering, identity and self-destruction, gratitude of life’s beauty and the dangers of idealism.

Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852)

Nikolai Gogol is undoubtedly one of Russia’s greatest writers of all time. He was a Ukrainian-born novelist, short story writer and dramatist whose works are considered the foundation of 19th century Russian realism. Gogol grew up in Sorochintsy in Ukraine’s Poltava District, where the peaceful countryside served as immense inspiration for his writing, including its colourful peasantry, Kazak traditions and rich folklore. After a few literary failures and irresponsible trips, Gogol returned to St Petersburg and wrote periodicals that reflected his childhood memories of picturesque landscapes, while interweaving these romantic tales with supernatural phenomena.

Written in a lively, and occasionally, colloquial prose, Gogol’s works were refreshing contributions to Russian literature that combined his whimsical imagination with an authentic folk flavour, including the sprinkle of Ukrainian language and cultural references. Among many, some of Gogol’s most famous and captivating stories included Dead Souls, which was first published in 1842. This exemplary novel chronicles the splendid travels and epic adventures of Pavel Ivanovich. It is celebrated by critics for its satirical approach in representing an exceptionally realistic portrait of Russian provincial life. Another well-known tale is The Overcoat which is a short fiction that narrates the life and death of an impoverished government clerk living in St Petersburg, who seeks to buy a new overcoat after being relentlessly teased by his colleagues. Other works by Nikolai Gogol include: The Nose and Diary of a Madman.

Gogol’s legacy has been immortalised through the Gogol House Memorial Museum and Scientific Library in Nikitsky Boulevard, Moscow. This is the only place in the Russian capital which has kept the last memory of the writer’s final years. The Gogol House is an ancient city mansion with 17th century roots, combining a research library of over 250,000 volumes, a research centre, an exhibition hall and a memorial museum. Here, the writer worked on the second volume of Dead Souls and burned the manuscripts of the poem. Travellers can also visit Arbatskaya Ploschad, where two statue versions of Nikolai Gogol (Happy and Sad) can be admired. Book a customised Moscow Tour or take an Educational Tour to Russia to see these awe-inspiring landmarks!

Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940)

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Mikhail Bulgakov was a Soviet playwright, novelist and short story writer who was best known for his witty humour and piercing satire of the Soviet communist regime. As the oldest son of six children, he was born into a family of intellectual elites where his father was a theology professor. Bulgakov actually began his adult life as a doctor, yet eventually gave medicine up for writing. In fact, he wrote about his experiences as a doctor in his early works Notes of a Young Doctor. In this book, he described his suffering from an infection in 1917-1919 which caused an unbearably painful itch, leading to his addiction to morphine which he gradually conquered over time.

Bulgakov’s experiences with war and tragedy manifested when he joined the anti-communist White Army as a field doctor during the Russian Civil War. Following this event, his first major work was the novel titled The White Guard, which was serialised in 1925 but never published in book form. It provided a realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the anti-Bolshevik White officers and faced significant backlash due to its lack of a communist hero. Bulgakov’s scathing political rhetoric was then adapted into a successful play called The Days of the Turbins in 1926, which detailed the demise of the White Army. It was performed more than 200 times at the Moscow Art Theatre and despite its popularity, the play was later banned.

Due to their brutal realism and grotesque humour that criticised the Soviet regime, Bulgakov’s works became increasingly censored by the authorities during the Great Purge. In 1925, he published a bitter satirical novella and absurdist parable Heart of a Dog that evoked the loss of civilised values in Russia under Bolshevism. This caused him to be interrogated by the Soviet Secret Service OGPU, who confiscated his personal diary and several unfinished works. By 1930, he was effectively prohibited from writing. His plays were banned in all theatres which left him in terrible poverty. Despite this period of literary ostracism until his death, Bulgakov continued producing groundbreaking masterpieces. One such famous work was The Master and Margarita (1966), a profound Gogolesque fantasy and witty philosophical novel which juxtaposed eternal notions of good and evil. To this day, it is still considered one of Russia’s finest 20th century novels, exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of the Soviet cultural elite.

Fans of Russian writers can visit the Bulgakov Museum in Moscow, inside the very apartment where Bulgakov had resided while writing The Master and Margarita. They can also travel to the legendary Mikhail Bulgakov Museum in his birthplace of Kiev (Ukraine), a resurrected antique house which contains 4000 exhibits of the Russian writer’s personal belongings, works and relics.

Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883)

Famously known for popularising Russian literature to the West, Ivan Turgenev was a highly esteemed novelist, poet and playwright born in Oryol, Russia. He was particularly adept at conveying detailed imagery of everyday 19th century Russia, including authentic portrayals of the Russian peasantry and fascinating depictions of Russian academics who desired to advance the country into a new age. Not only did Turgenev express a deep concern for the future of Russia in his writings, he also maintained the integrity of craft which has embedded him into Russian literary canon. Travellers can visit the first monument of the great Russian writer, inaugurated in the historical centre of Moscow at Ulitsa Ostozhenka, next to the Ivan Turgenev Museum.

Turgenev spent many of his years in Western Europe due to his liberal political stance and artistic personality, caught between Tsarist rule and revolutionary radicalism amongst Russian intellectuals. This mindset was largely influenced by his childhood at the wealthy country estate of Spasskoye-Lutovinovo, which he perceived as a symbol of socioeconomic injustice inherent between the Russian peasantry and gentry. As a result, Turgenev’s works became dedicated to criticising the grievances of Russian society, while envisioning the rise of intelligentsia for the nation’s sociopolitical betterment. While he was educated in schools and universities of Moscow and St Petersburg, Turgenev’s learning experiences at the University of Berlin affirmed his belief of the West’s superiority and Russia’s need to become westernised.

Many of Turgenev’s fictional works centred around early love and unfulfilled aspirations, despite being a writer of remarkable detachment and ironic objectivity. His intimate platonic relationship with renowned singer Pauline Viardot was a source of inspiration for these works, including several novellas such as Rudin, A Nest of Nobles and On the Eve. Notably, his most famous work Fathers and Sons paints an intriguing portrait of mid 19th-century nihilism, which captures the conflict between older generations and idealistic youth. The Russian writer’s other finest literary works combined a wistful nostalgia for the past such as A Lear of the Steppes and Torrents of Spring, along with Poems in Prose.

Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966)

Born in the city of Odessa in Ukraine, Anna Akhmatova is considered one of Russia’s greatest poets of the 20th century. She also wrote prose including memoirs, autobiographical pieces and literary scholarship on Russian writers such as Alexander Pushkin. Throughout her life, Akhmatova experienced both pre-revolutionary and Soviet Russia, yet her poetic verse in many ways extended and preserved classical Russian culture during periods of avant-garde radicalism and socialist realism. Although she was frequently confronted with government opposition to her work, she was deeply loved and revered by the Russian public, partly because she chose not to abandon her country during political turmoil.

Akhmatova was born into an upper-class family in Bolshoi Fontan, where her mother belonged to a powerful clan of landowners and her father had become a hereditary noble for service in the royal navy. She grew up in Tsarskoe Selo (Tsar’s Village), an opulent suburb in St Petersburg which was surrounded by luxurious mansions belonging to Russian aristocrats. As a teenager, she developed an interest in poetry but was actively discouraged by her father. She eventually studied law in Kiev, and married the poet/critic Nikolai Gumilev. While her husband was away travelling, Akhmatova wrote many of the beautiful poems that would be published in her first book Evening (1912). This book launched her career and she became a cult figure in the Russian literary circle. This was followed by her critically acclaimed collection of poems Rosary (1914).

With her husband, Akhmatova became a leader of Acmetism, a literary movement which valued lucid, carefully crafted verses and challenged the vague Symbolist Style that dominated the Russian writing scene. Although Akhmatova grew up with great privilege, she experienced numerous hardships – Gumilev was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1921, her son Lev was imprisoned from 1949 to 1954, and many of her works were banned or censored. Her most accomplished works Requiem and Poem Without A Hero are visceral reactions to the Stalinist Terror, where she endured artistic repression and many personal losses.

Indeed, Akhmatova’s legacy still burns fiercely today – travellers and Russian literature enthusiasts can visit the Anna Akhmatova Monument in St Petersburg, which is a moving statue that rests across the river of the Kresty holding prison, where Akhmatova herself had queued for many days after her son was arrested during Stalin’s terror. They can also check out the Anna Akhmatova Literary and Memorial Museum at the Fountain House in St Petersburg, which opened in 1989 on the centennial of her birth.

Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837)

Almost everybody under the sun has heard of Russia’s most celebrated writer – Alexander Pushkin. Known as the father of modern Russian literature, he was a prolific Russian poet, novelist, dramatist and short story writer who emerged from the Golden Age of Russian Poetry. Pushkin’s most famous poems are considered Romantic due to their celebration of freedom and personal liberty, yet this remains ambiguous from his concise and more minimalist writing style. Pushkin’s narrative poems, epics and lyrics are transcendent classics of Russian literary tradition, inspiring countless songs, ballets and many other artistic interpretations.

The Russian writer was born into one of Russia’s most famous noble families in Moscow, where many of his ancestors played major roles throughout Russian history. Pushkin himself began writing poetry as a student at Lyceum at Tsarskoe Selo, a school for aristocratic youth. He was particularly immersed into French poetry and Russian neoclassicism, which provided a source of inspiration for diverse elegis, songs and epistles.

After graduating in 1817, Pushkin eventually became involved in St Petersburg society, where he wrote poems that criticised autocracy and high-ranking officials. His first major verse narrative was Ruslan and Ludmila (1820), an epic faux-fairytale based on medieval Russian history and written in iambic tetrameter, successfully breaking literary conventions. Soon after its publication, Pushkin was exiled to southern Russia for his dissenting political views from 1820 to 1823. At the end of this period, he began writing his masterpiece Eugene Onegin (1833) for seven years. This heart-wrenching lyric opera involves a selfish hero who eventually regrets the rejection of a young woman’s love and his fatal duel with his best friend. Other notable works include the historical drama Boris Godunov and The Captain’s Daughter.

In 1831, Pushkin married Natalia Goncharova, yet her beauty and favour in court led to many difficulties in his personal life. He even challenged one of her long-term admirers, George D’Anthès-Heeckeren – a French cavalry officer and royalist – to a duel, in which he tragically died. Despite his short life, Pushkin’s death undoubtedly made him an immortal legend that extends far beyond Russian literature. His unquestionable poetic genius left an immense imprint on St Petersburg, with his name engraved on various Russian streets, metro stations, theatres and even the charming town of Pushkin. Travellers can also visit the obelisk marking the spot where he was shot in Komendantskiy Prospekt. They can also journey to the city centre on Ploshchad Iskusstv in front of the State Russian Museum, where a huge statue of Pushkin was erected to mark the 250th anniversary of the city’s founding.

Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841)

Considered a promising successor of Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov was a distinguished Romantic Russian poet, writer and painter. His father was an impoverished army officer, whereas his mother was a wealthy young heiress from a respected aristocratic family. After the couple drifted apart and his mother died, Lermontov was brought up by his grandmother on her Tarkhany estate in Penzenskaya province (Central Russia). Here, Lermontov was greatly influenced by the exotic landscapes of the Caucasus, Russia’s natural beauty, its rich folklore, ceremonies and traditions, alongside the resilient livelihoods of Russian peasantry and serfs.

Many of Lermontov’s lyric poetry is touched by a passionate yearning for freedom and contains rebellious undertones, agonising reflections on how to apply his strengths to life’s work, and dreams of heroic deeds. This was significantly influenced by political events such as the Decembrist revolt during Imperial Russia and peasant mutinies during the 1830s. This widespread revolutionary sentiment in Western Europe was shared with him, fuelling an enthusiasm for the future of Russia and its spiritual needs. His poetry is interwoven with civic and philosophical themes, coupled with deeply personal motifs.

Notably, Lermontov also introduced the intonations of “iron verse” into Russian poetry, which is characterised by its heroic sound and intellectual expression. One of his most famous works is A Hero of Our Time, known for its compelling Byronic hero Pechorin, a military officer who undergoes dramatic adventures through the Caucasus. It is considered the pinnacle of Russian psychological realism, earning Lermontov immense critical acclaim. Readers can also check out The Death of a Poet, a controversial poem which accused the Russian aristocracy of complicity in the famous Russian writer Alexander Pushkin’s murder. While the poem catapulted Lermontov to unprecedented levels of fame, it also evoked the Czar’s wrath, who exiled him to the Caucasus.

Travellers who are keen about this phenomenal writer’s contribution to Russian literature can visit the Mikhail Lermontov Monument, located in the small park of Lermontovskaya Ploschad (Lermontov Square). This inspiring statue in Moscow, Russia is where Lermontov was born, yet the actual house of his birthplace has unfortunately been replaced by the Stalin Skyscraper. Luckily, they can also travel to the Mikhail Lermontov House-Museum, which is run as a branch of the State Literary Museum. It is the only remaining house where the poet lived with his grandmother until 1932, with a preserved interior and quaint wooden structure.

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