Russian literature or books based in Russia

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

I have a particular course of study coming up in Russian history from about 1891-1991. The lecturer in the past has referred to works of literature to illustrate points, so Madame Bovary for example to illustrate French provincial life, The Leopard to depict the Italian nobility at unification.

The only thing that has sprung to mind is Doctor Zchivago, which I have read before but could probably re-read.

Ohhhh how exciting. Will definitely give that a go.

Thank you! I read it before we got together and loved it!

Vasily Grossman's Life and Fate - set during WWII but about that and so much more

Victor Serge's memoir and his novels - several have been reprinted by NYRB recently

Helen Dunmore, The Siege is a great historical novel, but the first two were actually there observing what they wrote about. Sarah Quigley's The Conductor is another take on the Siege of Leningrad.

Edward Docx Self-Help. Fabulous book.

The Kolyma Tales by Varlam Shalamov
Master and Margarita is a must

ah, and The Bison: A Novel about the Scientist Who Defied Stalin by Granin

Resurrecting my own thread. Adding The Foundation Pit by Andrey Platonov - just brilliant.