Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Advantages: Fantastic imagery. Very adult themes for a book of its nature.
Disadvantages: Might put people of reading it because of its size.

...What can I say about a book that has been voted "book of the century" that hasn't already been written? The Lord of the Rings is a book of such impact for me that I have read it at least once a year(now on my third softback copy) since the time I was 13 (I'm coming up 36 so I will let you do the math!). As such I felt that I should try and contribute towards an explanation as to why a novel of such low "social intensity" beat books such as "A Day in the Life of Ivan Desinovich" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Lord of the Rings is the natural extension of the events and their effects portrayed in its precursor "The Hobbit". It is a fairly weighty tome for most people to read and so I would recommend that if you are reading this story for the first time buy the component books separately so that in the remote chance that you don't like... Read review

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Advantages: Character Introduction
Disadvantages: Gogol never finished his great work

...Dead Souls is "...a pale introduction to the great epic poem which is taking shape in my mind and which will finally solve the riddle of my existance." - Nikolai Gogol ...what an introduction it turned out to be!! The Author Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (1809-1852) was born in Sorochintsi, Ukraine, and began his first writings whilst at school. He moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1928 and befriended the illustrious Aleksandr Pushkin, from whom he was to gain the inspiration for his specific literary style, including the basic idea behind Dead Souls. Gogol never completed his intended version of Dead Souls, which he envisaged as a cure to Russia’s woes, as he burnt the second part after renouncing literature for religion. Some parts of the second manuscript were salvaged and are included at the end of the original Dead Souls... Read review

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Advantages: Witty, Flowing Prose
Disadvantages: May Be Better in the Russian Language

...Aleksandr Pushkin has often been labelled as the founder of modern Russian literature and is described by James Falen, in the Oxford World Classics version, as not only revered as the supreme national poet, but as 'a kind of cultural myth, an iconic figure around whom a veritable cult of idolatry has been fashioned.' Eugene Onegin is one reason these accolades have been attributed him. Born in Moscow in 1799 into an aristocratic family, Pushkin developed a fondness for poetry whilst at boarding school and was 'recognised as a poetic prodigy by prominent older writers' (J.Falen). Pushkin's great talent, built upon by experiences within his disrupted life, is perhaps better appreciated in his native language and not, as I will describe later on, in the translations since. I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed with what i read... Read review

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