Rusland

Teeming with dark humour, supernatural elements, and hard-to-believe situations, Nikolai Gogol's "e;Collected Stories"e; is a highest form of short story fiction. With stories like "e;The Mantle"e;, "e;The Nose"e;, and "e;The Viy"e;, the author's attention focuses upon the satirical and nonsensical. Obsessions and schizophrenia run free in the stories, answering the social pressures and crisis of identity. Another important element is the praise of Russian folk tales and the supernatural, making the collection the perfect read while sitting in a dim-lighted room at midnight.-

Toimittaja Matias Luoto saa soiton lastenkotiajan kaveriltaan Ruopsalta. Ankean lapsuutensa ja tuntemattomat vanhempansa mielensä perukoille haudannut Matias suostuu tapaamispyyntöön, vaikka katuukin sitä saman tien. Ruopsan vastenmielinen käytös nuoruudessa hiertää vieläkin, mutta toimittajana Matias ei voi estää uteliaisuutta nousemasta pintaan: Mitä asiaa Ruopsalla on nyt, yli kahdenkymmenen vuoden jälkeen?Ruopsa saapuu tapaamispaikalle, ojentaa Matiakselle kirjekuoren ja katoaa kesken kahvinjuonnin. Lähtiessään kadonneen jäljille Matias huomaa seuraavansa myös oman menneisyytensä polkuja ja joutuvansa lopulta keskelle fanaattisen lahkon toimintaa, joka ulottuu Pohjois-Suomesta Venäjälle asti.Perhe on pahin, sanotaan, mutta se voi olla pahempi kuin osaa pelätäkään. Elämästä tulee edellisen sukupolven luoma julma jatkumo, joka näyttää ihmismielestä sen pimeimmän puolen.Sakari Kiuru on ammatiltaan valokuvaaja. Kiuru voitti ensimmäisen FotoFinlandia-kilpailun pääpalkinnon vuonna 1989. Hänen esikoisromaaninsa "Kuoleman sukua" ilmestyi vuonna 2014.

Voiko ketään tuntea kokonaan? Tanskalainen Marcus Hoffman on ollut naimisissa vaimonsa Nathalien kanssa jo kymmenen vuoden ajan. Kun Marcus ja Nathalie lähtevät yhdessä käymään Nathalien kotimaassa Venäjällä, luvassa on kuitenkin jotakin muuta kuin laadukasta parisuhdeaikaa. Nathalie nimittäin katoaa jälkeäkään jättämättä. Pian Marcukselle selviää, että hänen vaimollaan on tausta, joka on ollut hänelle täysin tuntematon. Mies on kuitenkin päättänyt löytää vaimonsa – hinnalla minä hyvänsä."Jälkiä jättämättä" on hyytävä poliittinen trilleri, jonka tapahtumat sijoittuvat 2000-luvulle. Leif Davidsen (s. 1950–) on tanskalainen kirjailija, joka kirjoittaa erityisesti trillereitä. Koulutukseltaan Davidsen on journalisti, ja hänellä on pitkä toimittajan ura takanaan. Hän jättäytyi vapaaksi kirjailijaksi vuonna 1999. Davidsenilta on suomennettu teokset "Jälkiä jättämättä", "Tähtäimessä" sekä "Kuubalaista verta".

Een Deense politieagent, een Engelse bommenwerper, een twaalfjarig Duits meisje, een Duitse en een Russische soldaat zijn onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden door de onvoorspelbaarheid van de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Ze voeren ieder een dappere strijd om te overleven in de chaos van de oorlog, maar uiteindelijk zijn het simpele toevalligheden die hun lot bepalen.Jesper Bugge Kold (1972) is een Deense schrijver, journalist en bibliothecaris. Hij debuteerde in 2014 met de veelgeroemde historische roman Vintermænd (Winter Men) en heeft sindsdien Land I datid en Krigsturisten gepubliceerd. De tijd voor de dood is zijn eerste digitale serie.

‘Als de kofferbak opengaat zie ik een massa vlees op bebloed plastic. Deze wrakkige auto is een rijdend graf voor kilo’s dood vee. Bovenop ligt een afgehakte runderkop. Mannen sleuren en vechten met hompen vlees. Het stinkt. De aanblik van deze markt in Oost Siberië bevestigt mijn voornemen: nu, maar ook straks, in Mongolië, gaat mijn spijsverteringssysteem voor lokaal voedsel op slot. Voor mij geen ingewanden van schapen of ranzig rundvlees. Ik ben heel blij met mijn voorraadje eten uit een westerse supermarkt.’Auteur Cees Koring reisde met de Transsiberië Express door Rusland, Mongolië en China. Dit boek is een boeiend verslag van een avontuurlijke trip door eindeloos Siberië en mysterieus Azië. Geschiedenis, actualiteit, vreemde voorvallen en humor gaan hand in hand. De uitdrukking ‘reizen is wachten’ in dit boek werd een hit op het internet. Cees Koring werkte bijna 40 jaar bij dagblad De Telegraaf, waarvan de helft als misdaadverslaggever. Van zijn hand verschenen honderden artikelen die landelijk en ook internationaal aandacht trokken. Eerder publiceerde hij onder meer de verhalenbundel De merel zingt ook als het regent.

"Michael Strogoff I" is an adventure novel by Jules Verne from 1876. It consists of two parts and it tells the story of the courier of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Michael Strogoff. There is a treachery afoot and Michael has to inform the tsar’s brother in Irkutsk. He embarks on a long journey through Siberia which turns out to be way more challenging and dangerous than expected. He faces all physical and mental trials with determination and stoicism. He will either manage to deliver the vital message and prevent the rebellion in time or the future of his homeland Russia will be endangered by the Tartars. This story about torture, suffering and neverending obstacles is an example of the power of human spirit and the strength within each and everyone. In the first part of the novel Jules Verne takes us on a long Russian adventure. What the future holds for Michael and Russia is however to be found in the second part.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who mostly wrote adventure fiction inspired by the scientific advances of the 19th century. With the help of editor Pierre-Jules Hetzel he wrote a series of books called "Extraordinary Travels", which includes "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864), "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870), and "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873). Widely popular with both children and adults, Verne is one of the most translated authors of all times, and still inspires people the world over.

"Michael Strogoff II" is the second part of Jules Verne’s adventure novel from 1876. It tells the story of the courier of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Michael Strogoff. There is a treachery afoot and Michael has to inform the tsar’s brother in Irkutsk. He embarks on a long journey through Siberia which turns out to be way more challenging and dangerous than expected. He faces all physical and mental trials with determination and stoicism. He will either manage to deliver the vital message and prevent the rebellion in time or the future of his homeland Russia will be endangered by the Tartars. This story about torture, suffering and neverending obstacles is an example of the power of human spirit and the strength within each and everyone. In the first part of the novel Jules Verne takes us on a long Russian adventure. What the future holds for Michael and Russia is however to be found in the second part.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who mostly wrote adventure fiction inspired by the scientific advances of the 19th century. With the help of editor Pierre-Jules Hetzel he wrote a series of books called "Extraordinary Travels", which includes "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864), "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870), and "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873). Widely popular with both children and adults, Verne is one of the most translated authors of all times, and still inspires people the world over.

Ippolit Sergejevitshin kesasuunnitelmat menevat kokonaan uusiksi. Han kun oli ajatellut suunnittelevansa tulevan lukuvuoden luennot kesalla maaseudun hiljaisuudessa. Suunnitelmat keskeytyvat, kun Ippolit saa kirjeen leskeksi jaaneelta sisareltaan. Perhetta ei sovi jattaa nyt yksin. On aika matkustaa sisarta auttamaan.Sisko tutustuttaa Ippolitille Varjenkan, kauniin ja rikkaan maanomistajan. Varjenkan veitsenterava alli ja halu keskustella aiheesta jos toisesta saa Ippolitin sydamen sykkimaan aivan uudella tavalla...-

Ciche Karkonosze, nagła ucieczka i międzynarodowy spisek.Andrzej Sokół to ambitny dziennikarz z Nowej Soli, spokojnego lubuskiego miasta. Beztroską rutynę przerywa trop do międzynarodowej intrygi, która zagraża losowi Polaków. To odkrycie może go jednak kosztować więcej niż myślał - nieoczekiwanie zostaje oskarżony o potrójne morderstwo. Uciekając przed rosyjską mafią, znajduje azyl w sennych Karkonoszach. Tam musi odnaleźć kluczowe dowody, by udowodnić swoją niewinność i zdemaskować prawdziwych winowajców. Czy uda mu się przetrwać i oczyścić swoje imię? Idealna dla fanek i fanów "Zwodniczego punktu" Dana Browna.Andrzej SokółSeria o Andrzeju Sokole, dziennikarzu z Nowej Soli, który rozwiązuje zagadki kryminalne lubuskich miast.Krzysztof Koziołek – pisarz i dziennikarz, który na co dzień oddaje się pisaniu kryminałów retro.

"A most extraordinary thing happened in St. Petersburg on the twenty-fifth of March." The opening lines of "The Nose", one of Gogol’s best-known stories, and quite possibly the most absurd, are just as promising as any of his works. The simple yet extraordinary plot follows the story of the civil servant Major Kovalyov who wakes up one morning to discover his nose has left his face and is living a life of its own. Strange as it may seem, the nose has even surpassed him by attaining a higher rank!The story is a brilliant portrayal of the preoccupation with social rank in Imperial Russia, a biting satire of the bureaucrats’ pursuit of higher position within the Table of Ranks. A masterful combination of brilliant words, witty imagination, and unparalleled humor, it remains one of the most striking stories of all times. It is believed to have influenced masterpieces of world literature, including Dostoevsky's "The Double," Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", and Kafka’s "Metamorphosis".Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Government Inspector/The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

With his sense of humor and ability to observe, Nikolai Gogol presents the world with stories of little people: the weak and fragile people who try to hold on to life in the gloomy cities of Russia. "The Mantle", which is listed among his masterpieces, describes how Russian bureaucracy turns everyone into a ghost of each other. It tells the tragicomic story of a poor low-ranking official named Akakiy Akakiyevich Bashmachkin, a faint character living on the margins of society who spends all his time diligently copying documents. Drawn into bureaucratic mechanisms of modern life, humiliated, and despised, hе finds solace in his fondest dream: a mantle that will protect him from the cold in the winter. This humble dream, however, will cost him way too much and will turn his life upside down...Adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations, the story is a major milestone in Russian literature, as expressed by in a quote often attributed to Fyodor Dostoyevsky: "We have all come out from under Gogol's Mantle".Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

Listed among the most beloved Russian plays, "The Inspector General" is a vivid portrayal of human greed and foolishness. Savagely criticizing the political corruption of Imperial Russia, the play tells the story of Khlestakov, an irresponsible impostor who is mistakenly taken for a dreaded government inspector by the corrupt and self-serving provincial officials of a small town in Tsarist Russia. Knowing their own flaws, the officials hope that their bribes and banquets will turn his attention away from their dishonest administration. And Khlestakov’s decision to take advantage of the situation leads to hilarious situations and unexpected twists..First performed in 1836, the play transcended its own time and became a highly appreciated satire of universal human failings.It has been much adapted, from numerous film versions with actors such as Dany Kaye, Tony Hancock, Rick Mayal, and Yevgeny Mirono, to recent theatrical adaptations by Jeffrey Hatcher, David Harrower and Roddy Doyle.Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

The short story "Konovalov" (1897) is an example of Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical writing, depicting the suicide of a quiet prisoner, Konovalov, whom Gorky decides to immortalize on the page. The narrative follows the chronological life of the main character, constructed from the memory of the narrator himself, adding a tinge of authenticity. The story brings some existentialist philosophies to mind, coating the ordinary situations with an air of nostalgia and universality, so characteristic of Gorky’s entire oeuvre.Maxim Gorky has its place among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. A five-time Nobel Prize nominee, Gorky’s position in Russian literature is undisputable. He led a turbulent life of an exile, a dissenter, and a Bolshevik associate, which severely marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".

Nikolai Gogol's novel Dead Souls is one of the best-known pieces of 19th-century Russian literature. Chichikov is a mysterious man, who arrives at a small town with a strange plan of acquiring "e;dead souls."e; Marked by eccentric characters and heated town gossip, this story is a social satire that keeps the reader guessing. The writer himself described Dead Souls as an "e;epic poem in prose"e; and a "e;novel in verse."e; Although intended by Gogol as the first part of a trilogy, the story never saw a follow-up before or after his death. The satiric story has been turned into theatre, opera, radio, television and film productions alike, including the Soviet television miniseries Dead Souls (1984).-

When Colonel Chabert marries a prostitute named Rose Chapotel, he doesn’t know yet how the marriage will affect the rest of his life. Chabert leaves for a war in Russia, where he is seriously wounded. Everyone thinks he is dead. Chabert, however, has enough strength to survive – and after being away for years, he is about to return to Paris.But nothing is the same in Paris. Chabert’s property is gone, but he is not the kind of man who would easily give up – he is ready to fight for his rights.Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) was a French writer. He was born in Tours, but moved to Paris when he was a teenager. The best known works of his include ‘Father Goriot’ and ‘Cousin Bette’. Balzac’s writing style is realistic, and he also wrote plays. Besides writing he worked as a journalist and critic.

Makar Djevujskin och Varvara Dobroselova bor på varsin sida av en gata i den fattiga delen av 1800-talets St. Petersburg. Varvara bor med sin våldsamma far och deprimerade mor, hon drömmer om att spara ihop nog med pengar för att flytta ut och få arbete som guvernant. Makar delar en liten lägenhet med flera andra hyresgäster, och hans gammalmodiga och slitna kläder är orsaken till många skämt bland hans kollegor.Så snart Varvara och Makar har pengar över så köper de böcker till varandra att läsa och diskutera. Bland de litterära analyserna finns snart också varma känslor mellan de två. Det är en kärlek mot alla odds och den lyckliga framtid tillsammans som de drömmer om kan komma att kosta dem allt."Arma människor" är författaren Fjodor Dostojevskijs första roman. Verket togs väl emot av tidens kritiker, och har kallats Rysslands "första sociala roman". Genom Makar Djevujskin och Varvara Dobroselovas brevväxling får vi en ny bild av 1800-talets Ryssland, om hur det är att leva i armod och fattigdom i skuggan av tsarfamiljens glittrande palats och tillställningar.Fjodor Dostojevskij föddes 1821 och dog 1881. Han hör till en av litteraturhistoriens viktigaste författare, speciellt för utvecklingen av den moderna romanen. Hans mest kända verk är Brott och straff (1866)

Leo Tolstoi vie lukijansa Sevastopoliin joulukuussa 1854. Paahenkilo astuu sisaan seurahuoneen suureen saliin, joka on muutettu sotasairaalaksi. Han keskustelee loukkaantuneiden kanssa ja yrittaa keksia sanottavaa. Sotilaille kotopuolessa syotetty kuva taisteluiden glooriasta alkaa rapistua, kun paahenkilo kavelee veristen sankyjen valeja.Tama ja kaksi muuta kokoelman tarinaa Sevastopolin piirityksesta perustuvat Leo Tolstoin omiin kokemuksiin Krimin sodassa (1853-1856). Kokoelman tarinoita pidetaan Tolstoin myohemman suurteoksen, Sodan ja rauhan, tapahtumien esiversioina. Tolstoi asettaa taidokkaasti vastakkain sodan jarjettoman julmuuden ja sotilaiden opetteleman apaattisuuden ja valinpitamattomyyden.-

Die gefahrliche Dienstreise des Kuriers des Zaren quer durch Russland: Der aus Sibirien stammende Offizier Michael Strogoff soll eine Depesche nach Irkutsk zum Bruder des Zaren bringen, um ihn zu warnen, dass sich Iwan Ogareff zusammen mit dem Tatarenfursten an ihm rachen mochte. Inkognito als Tuchhandler Nikolaus Korpanoff macht er sich also auf die weite Reise. Doch bis er seinen Auftrag ausfuhren kann, muss er noch einige gefahrenreiche Hindernisse uberwinden...-

"He tried to rise, but two ill-savoured Tartars were already sitting on him and binding his hands behind his back."Two Russian soldier are kidnapped by their rivals while serving in the Caucasus. One is resourceful and optimistic and spends his time in captivity looking for a way to escape; the other is pessimistic and lazy and only complains. One day, they try to escape.The Prisoner in The Caucasus is based on a real incident from Tolstoy’s soldier days. It is about the power of military brotherhood and being of use to your enemy. Tolstoy helps the reader see the human side in every character and underlines all the things people have in common across enemy lines.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

"Poor Folk" is Dostoevsky’s first novel, exploring in the form of letters the unhappy and arduous strains of poverty. However, the novel is so much more. The author’s major prowess lies in the depiction of the human condition, a characteristic feature of Russian realism. The emotional struggles and the gruesome chasm that separates the two souls in love, never destined to be together, paints a devastating picture of the harshness of life. Definitely a must for any fan not only of Dostoevsky, but of Russian literature on the whole.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

Turgenev’s story is a striking example of a narrative that can easily stand the test of time. Portraying the life of a deaf Russian serf who makes a strong relationship with a rescued dog, the short story elaborately explores the problems and life conditions of Russian serfdom. What is more, the story is based on Turgenev’s own experience with a dog, with the rest of the characters modelled after his family members and friends. A tragic, but emotionally deep tale, "Mumu" is an example of the loneliness of human condition against the sad, tortured heart of society.Ivan Turgenev is universally acknowledged as one of the towering literary presences in Russian literature. A writer of novels and short stories, his oeuvre depict realistic, sympathetic, and often melancholic portrayals of the Russian serfdom and the aristocracy. He was also known for his popularization of Russian realism, the exquisite musical quality of his prose, and memorable characters. His best-known works include the novels "Fathers and Sons" and "On the Eve", as well as the short-story collection "A Sportsman Sketches".

One of Dostoevsky’s shorter novels, "The Gambler" reflects the author’s own difficult and prolonged battles with gambling as one of his major addictions. It is the story of a young man with aspirations to see and go beyond the established order, but in reality only gets stuck deeper and deeper into addiction and degradation. Dostoevsky does a great job in painting the psychological portrait of the protagonist, Alexey, who is having difficulties finding meaning in life and himself. Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

Kyrilo Razumov is a student in the University of St. Petersburg in the early 1910s. His life is quiet as he takes no clear position on any of the great questions of his time. One night, Razumov finds Victor Haldin, a fellow student, who claims to have killed the brutal Minister of State. "e;Under Western Eyes"e; is full of cynicism and conflict about the historical failures of revolutionary movements and ideals.-

"A Little Hero" is a short story that deals with the topic of pre-adolescence, maturity, the abandonment of pure childhood, and the resulting and inevitable discovery of the existence of sexual life. The protagonist is trying to understand the world of adults in every possible way, and faces problems at every turn. Interesting enough, this story lacks the trademark disaster and drama in the majority of Dostoevsky’s works, and is a light and humorous reading that does not even look written by him. It should be noted, of course, that Dostoevsky wrote it while he was in prison.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

Though he is best known for his realist and deep realistic and psychological novels, Dostoevsky’s literary life produced memorable short stories as well. "Polzunkov" is a story that should not be skipped by the author’s fans and the connoisseurs of short story writing in general. It is a tale about a joke that misfired on the protagonist Polzunkov, whose expectations crash down headlong in the end. Another narrative that explores the theme of financial difficulties and misunderstood actions that inevitably lead to terrible outcomes.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

"The Teacher of Literature" tells the story of Nikitin, a young teacher at the local school, who proposes to Masha, the daughter of a wealthy man. The story oscillates between bouts of happiness and immense love to moments of depression and existential crisis. The realization of the main character that the world is nothing but filled with vulgarity clashes with his previous perfect state of existence. Chekhov masterfully manipulates the story and his protagonist, leading him to the realm of madness and uncertainty.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull", and "The Cherry Orchard", where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Chehkov’s short story "The Beggar" revolves around the theme of spiritual transformation where a depraved alcoholic becomes a better person through compassion and kindness. A perfect example of a narrative with a twist, the short story offers some insight into the topic of knowing the other and delving deeper into the human psyche. What is more, Chekhov places his characters and their extraordinary encounters against the mundane daily grind, a typical characteristic feature of his whole work. The unexpected ending reveals Chekhov’s affinity to conclude his stories with a touch of morality.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull", and "The Cherry Orchard", where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

"The Shot" is a story about a duel between two people, Sylvio and an unnamed Count. The narrative revolves around the shot that did not take place, one that goes on forever. The unfinished duel becomes something like a lifelong ambition for Sylvio, who is chasing the Count. Switching between different narrators, Pushkin is trying to piece together the line of events as they happened, but every time something new arises. A great story that keeps the reader on tenterhooks, wishing for a swift resolution of the ubiquitous duel business – one that ended Pushkin’s own life as well.Deservedly labelled "the best Russian poet", Pushkin’s short life did not prevent him from ushering Russian literature into its modern era. A master of the vernacular language and multifarious and vivid writing style, Pushkin’s oeuvre was of great influence to a whole legion of Russian writers and literary styles. Among his best-known works are the narrative poems "Ruslan and Ludmila" and "Eugene Onegin", the drama "Boris Godunov", several novels, short stories, and fairy tales.

Chekhov’s short story "The Orator" tells of a rather embarrassing situation when a famous orator stands in front of a crowd at a funeral ceremony. Filled with satire towards and critique of the hypocritical and petty-minded people, Chekhov masterfully presents the world as a reflection in the eyes of a dead man. Connoisseur of the human psyche and a chronicler of Russian daily grind, the author’s irony and sarcasm permeate every level of life, earning his short stories a place among the best in the field.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull", and "The Cherry Orchard", where Chekhov dramatizes and explores social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Anton Chekhov’s short story "The Wife" offers a panoramic description of Russian life amidst the constantly warring oppositions of marriage. The frost of winter cannot compare to the impasse in the relationship between Pavel and his estranged wife. The disintegration of the spouses in their rich mansion is portrayed against the background of abject suffering and poverty of the peasantry. A typical Chekhovian story, "The Wife" focuses mainly on the lack of communication and understanding, and the characters’ disillusionment is a warning sign for the deepening problems Russian aristocracy is facing at that time.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull", and "The Cherry Orchard", where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.