Is Russian literature really known and respected in the world?

Question by Val: A question about literature.?
It’s about Russian writers and poets of all times. Here in Russia we adore many of them and they are said to be famous and esteemed and known and respected by all the world. But really, are they? I mean, do you know any of Russian authors? If you do, whom do you know and what do you think of them?

Answers and Views:

Answer by kelby_lake
I know Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Gogol…

I like both Dostoevsky and Gogol.

Answer by ShakespearesBrother16
Leo Tolstoy is one of the most respected authors in the world. Anna Karenina is often cited as one of the greatest books ever written, by some of the most respected critics.

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is also regarded in very high esteem.

Many people believe that Russian literature is more rich and varied than many of the works of English writers. I tend to agree, also, sometimes…

Not to mention Nikolai Gogol, Nikolai Tolstoy, Ivan Turgenev, Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Sholokhov, Boris Pasternak and the late Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn are all widely read and respected.

Answer by Alex B
I read Solzhenitsyn in school. One Day in the Life Of Ivan Denisovich. I loved it. It was profound and tragic. I really need to read more of your classic authors like Tolstoy. We respect Russian literature here, but I feel we know about the great authors without reading their work and that is a shame.

Answer by elviella
Yeah, a lot of Russian writers and poets are really famous in other countries too. Writers as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky are considered as some of the best authors of all ages. Gogol, Gorky and Pushkin are also famous. Here in Greece, even in primary school we read some Tolstoy’s texts(his simpler ones). Tolstoy’s and Dostoevsky’s books are in most teachers’ “books you have to read before you finish high school” lists

Answer by cjones1303
That’s an excellent question, Val, one I’ve wondered about myself. You always wonder what’s on the other side of the fence. I wish there were more questions like this on Yahoo Answers.

Here in the USA, we have access to all the great Russian authors, such as, Tolstoy, Solzhenitsyn, Dostoevsky, etc. They are well-regarded and are still read extensively in the US, especially in colleges. Of course, I’m sure there are plenty of authors who you may know about that we know nothing about, they just don’t translate well to English.

One other thing, Val. Your English grammar, spelling and punctuation are impeccable, much better than most people who pose questions on this forum. You’re to be commended.

Read all the answers in the comments.

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