20 most read books in Russia

Best Book Ratings

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Reading at all times has been a special sacrament that immerses the reader in a parallel book world, with the heroes of which you can travel, fall in love, investigate crimes, empathize with their emotions and follow a famously twisted plot. Despite the change of generations, time and views, the classics of the 20th century are still in demand – their works are from time to time preferred even by fans of tabloid literature. Experts have studied the ratings of book sales in Russia in recent years and have compiled a rating that includes the 20 most read books of different genres and years.

Rating of the most read books in Russia

Nomination a place Name of product rating
Rating of the most read books in Russia 1 The Master and Margarita (M.A.Bulgakov) 5.0
2 The Dark Tower (Stephen Ging) 4.9
3 Still the same me (Jojo Moyes) 4.9
4 Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts) 4.8
5 The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) 4.8
6 Stigmalion (Christina Stark) 4.7
7 My children (Guzel Yakhina) 4.7
8 Not saying goodbye. The Adventures of Erast Fandorin in the XX century (Boris Akunin) 4.7
9 Immortelles (Chloe Benjamin) 4.7
10 Moth (Henri Charrieres) 4.6
11 Alchemist 4.6
12 The Mysterious Story of Billy Milligan (Daniel Keyes) 4.6
13 Back to you (Sara Gio) 4.5
14 The Woman in the Window (A.J. Finn) 4.5
15 Murders on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) 4.5
16 Three comrades (Erich Maria Remarque) 4.5
17 Goldfinch (Donna Tartt) 4.5
18 1984 (George Orwell) 4.4
19 Idiot (F.M.Dostoevsky) 4.4
20 The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) 4.4

Master and Margarita

Author of the book: M.A.Bulgakov

Rating: 5.0

The Master and Margarita (M.A.Bulgakov)

The controversial author Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov worked in the early and middle of the 20th century, while he was not published for a long time due to Soviet censorship. In the second half of the last century, his novel 'The Master and Margarita' gained popularity among the reading public and still excites the imagination of readers. The mystical plot, the heroes' travels in time and fantasy images, the combination of good, love, otherworldly and evil in one work – this is what makes you plunge into reading with undying interest. The work has been translated into many languages, it is known all over the world, and not only thanks to books, but also theatrical and television productions.

The Master and Margarita is truly a bestseller, inspiring photographers, poets, filmmakers and musicians. The work has become an integral part of world culture, so every self-respecting Russian is obliged to have a volume of this novel in his home library.

Advantages

  • World famous work;
  • Unusual interweaving of different characters from Pontius Pilate to Moscow citizens into one plot;
  • The work provokes an explosion of fantasy and conflicting emotions at the same time.

disadvantages

  • Not always 'comes in' the first time, requires an adult approach.

Dark tower

Book author: Stephen King

Rating: 4.9

Dark tower

The legendary science fiction writer from the USA Stephen King, master of horror of the modern world, from 1982 to 2004 worked on the creation of the series of books 'The Dark Tower', which included 8 works. The author made the novels independent, but at the same time combined into one über-novel, the actions are intertwined between different volumes of the series, which makes reading books even more interesting.

In the center of events, the Dark Tower, sought by the protagonist, shooter Roland, is a kind of center of the universe or the axis of times, with which he wants to return the events of his life to the places. In the development of the plot, the reader will get acquainted with ordinary people and representatives of otherworldly forces, magicians and talking animals, artificial intelligence, all actively interact with each other in the most unexpected way in the traditions of intricate detective stories and drama. The action takes place in fictional cities and countries. The novels are written in the manner of fairy tales, but with a fantasy bias of the author.

Advantages

  • Universal presentation for all generations in the tradition of Stephen King;
  • A multivolume novel consisting of separate plot works;
  • A tense plot with an unexpected ending in every novel.

disadvantages

  • For some readers, certain scenes are drawn out and can be boring to read.

I'm still the same

Book Author: Jojo Moyes

Rating: 4.9

I'm still the same

In third place in the rating is the modern romantic novel from the British writer Jojo Moyes 'Still the same me', which will definitely not leave the reader indifferent. The book tells about an optimistic girl named Lou, trying to escape from her past life in the ever-moving and glowing lights of New York. In the metropolis, she tries to forget the difficult moments of her personal drama and start all over again, but the storyline inexorably pulls her into the abyss of mysterious and seemingly mystical events. Problems fell on Louise like a snowball, and throughout the reading of the novel, the reader remains unaware of the ending of the novel, but will the heroine have enough strength to cope with all situations and keep herself who she wanted to become or really is?

The book will be of interest mainly to women and girls who see their own reflection in the main character. In part, the author's idea was to show that everything in life is solvable, it is enough not to despair and listen to your own heart.

Advantages

  • A fascinating novel with an entertaining plot;
  • Heroes make you empathize with them;
  • The opportunity to see yourself in the main characters and rethink your views.

disadvantages

  • Book at one time.

Shantaram

Book author: Gregory David Roberts

Rating: 4.8

Shantaram

In a two-volume novel by Australian novelist Gregory Roberts, the fates of many heroes are intertwined. The city of Bombay has become the place where Lindsay Ford (aka the main character Shantaram) is hiding from the representatives of the law and a high-security prison cell, from which he managed to escape for the second year of a nineteen-year sentence. Trying to start a peaceful life away from his native Australia and New Zealand, the hero makes his living by becoming a counterfeiter and robber, and also heals ordinary people from the slums. After spending 4 months in prison, where he was reported, Shantaram takes root in the Indian mafia, where he continues to sell fake passports, precious metals and money. Having lost two friends, he seeks heroin relief for his suffering. Will Lindsay Ford get out of the vicious circle? The plot also includes a love line – the hero finds his 'destiny' in the person of a beautiful Swiss woman. The heroes reflect on their lives, sometimes looking at it from an unexpected angle.

By the way, all the characters in the novel are fictional, and the places are real. At Prabaker's office, you can book a tour of the places where the protagonist lived. The demand is due to the wide distribution of the novel around the world. The work has been compared to the creation of such 'sharks' of literature as Hemingway and Melville. Perhaps because the manner of presentation in the form of confession is identical for these authors.

Advantages

  • Emotion-rich early 21st century bestseller;
  • The text contains many aphorisms expressed by the thoughts of the heroes;
  • In two volumes there are many quotations that have appeared in the world;
  • A fascinating novel in two volumes.

disadvantages

  • The plot is confused, not everyone manages to track it, hence the fading interest in reading comes from;
  • Vague multiple reasoning that does not always coincide with the opinion of the reader.

Runner with the wind

Book author: Khaled Hosseini

Rating: 4.8

Runner with the wind

Judging by the reviews, the novel by the American novelist Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner, not only breaks through a sea of ​​emotions and makes you empathize with the heroes, but also brings especially sentimental readers to tears.

The author of the work is from Afghanistan, where he transferred his heroes. In the center of the story is Amir and his father Baba, relations between which were cool, and Hassan, the son of his father's servant, who became the boy's best friend. The child received enough love from his father, is offended by him for the death of his mother. Baba devotes more paternal feelings to Hasan, but why? Amir tries to regain the disposition of his only parent, while he does not help a friend in trouble in time, when a nationalist cruelly mocks Hassan, and then completely substitutes him. After the separation of friends, a sad page begins in the history of Afghanistan – the entry of Russian troops and the war. Baba and Amir emigrate to the USA. Later it turned out that Hassan and Amir were brothers by their fathers, but Amir was not destined to meet with a loved one – he died during ethnic cleansing under the Taliban, and his little son remained in an orphanage. Amir is trying to save him.

Friendship, betrayal, resentment, devotion despite the circumstances, death of loved ones and war, hope for a bright future – the reader will be really interested in reading the novel to the end.

Advantages

  • Vivid descriptions;
  • Lots of emotional colors;
  • A clear plot.

disadvantages

  • Heavy storytelling at the heart of the narrative;
  • To a greater extent, sad emotions arise.

Stigmalion

Book author: Christina Stark

Rating: 4.7

Stigmalion

The novel 'Stigmalion' was released in 2018, but within a couple of months the book was sold out in a huge circulation around the world. What caused this demand? The point is Christina Stark's ability to write not just soulful – she knows how to find the key to each reader. So, in the work 'Stigmalion', simultaneously with the development of the plot, the author gives hints to actions in various difficult life situations.

In the center of the story is the girl Dolores, who suffers from a real-life autoimmune disease – an allergy to humans. A girl can calmly interact only with her brother, from touching the skin of other people, Dolores develops a painful burn. Throughout the novel, the heroine learns to accept herself through her own, special vision of the world, she dreams of meeting love, having a child and experiencing the usual joys of life.

The emphasis of the novel is placed on the inner state of a person who is different from society, his experiences and feelings, because not everyone is ready to understand and accept the heroine as she is.

Advantages

  • The ability to understand how to find the strength to act in difficult situations;
  • Beautiful language;
  • Exciting plot;
  • Unusual idea of ​​the author.

disadvantages

  • Lots of bed scenes (confuses readers);
  • Targeting a predominantly female audience.

My children

Author of the book: Guzel Yakhina

Rating: 4.7

My children

The editors included in the rating another fascinating novel by the Russian writer Guzeli Yakhina about German colonists who lived in the 1920s and 1930s on the banks of the Volga. In the center of the plot is the meek Jacob Bach, a German with a lean physique, who prefers communication with nature to human society. He writes fairy tales and shares pure German culture with those around him. A calm and measured life is disturbed by the request of a well-to-do gentleman to teach his daughter, whose face Jacob did not see because of the screen, but even without that he falls in love with his student, and she is destined to return to Germany and get married.

The fates of people, politics, the history of Russia in the pre-war years, mental and creative torments are intertwined in the work. The novel 'My Children' is very atmospheric, the author thoroughly, almost to the point of feeling and smell, conveys the beauty of the village and the wild nature on the banks of the Volga.

Advantages

  • A vibrant and atmospheric historical novel;
  • Subtle and engaging relationships of the characters;
  • Beautiful literary language.

disadvantages

  • There are many lyrical digressions with an essentially compact plot.

Not saying goodbye. Adventures of Erast Fandorin in the XX century

Book author: Boris Akunin

Rating: 4.7

Not saying goodbye

The cycle of novels about the famous detective ends with the work 'I do not say goodbye. The Adventures of Erast Fandorin in the XX century '. The action takes place in post-revolutionary Russia and in 1918, when the country was in a fever of hunger, devastation, while the new system was not yet consolidated. The characters from the novel 'Death to Brotherhood' and other works about Fandorin have returned to the plot, their lives are intertwined in an action-packed storyline, where the path of the protagonist is traced from an unusual exit from a coma to an investigation and a final farewell. This detective spy story from the life of a detective was created in the best traditions of Boris Akunin.

Reviewers and readers are unanimous in their opinion: the novel that completes the New Detective cycle with the main character Erast Fandorin turned out to be somewhat blurry and not as vivid and understandable as the earlier stories. In any case, to understand the work, you should read the previous novels of the cycle. And the reader will receive disappointment or satisfaction in the end – it is exclusively an individual matter.

Advantages

  • The novel ends the cycle of stories about the famous Akunin detective;
  • A carefully thought-out story with an unusual plot.

disadvantages

  • There was an understatement;
  • The novel proved to be weak compared to the previous stories of the cycle.

Immortelles

Book author: Chloe Benjamin

Rating: 4.7

Immortelles

The book “Immortelles” will be an excellent tool for relaxation and immersion in the inner world and reflection on the eternal. The novel is especially recommended for reading in a state of depression and life situations of 'traps', when it seems that there is no way out. Relaxation and immersion is facilitated by an amazingly smooth storytelling without emotional outbursts, like a confession to yourself.

The Gold family has a measured and calm life, until the children go to a fortune-teller, who, as rumor says, accurately predicts the date of death. Idle childish curiosity is satisfied, but it does not bring joy, and the fates of the members of the once friendly family diverge in an attempt to deceive or change fate.

The novel “Immortelles” opens the question of the predetermination of fate – is it there? Or does it all depend on us? The reader will have to find the answers on the pages of a book or in pondering what he has read.

Advantages

  • The narration immerses the reader in the thoughts and inner world;
  • An interesting plot with a logical development;
  • The book can become a kind of home psychotherapist.

disadvantages

  • The book contains strange and not all pleasant comparisons and expressions.

Butterfly

Book author: Henri Charrière

Rating: 4.6

Butterfly

The autobiographical novel by Henri Charrière 'Moth' was released back in 1969, it was sold in huge editions. Later, in 1973, a film adaptation of the book was released, today the film is ranked among the classics of cinema.

The story of the protagonist Henri Charter, nicknamed Papillon, begins with his charge of murder at the age of fifteen and sentencing to life imprisonment, but by the will of fate, having passed various tests, the guy is still free. The plot is intriguing with its believability and brevity. There is still a grain of fiction in the novel – Henri Charrière was indeed accused of murder. But in later years.

Advantages

  • The true story of the author, which has become a classic of literature;
  • Universal storytelling language;
  • Interesting descriptions of countries, heroes and everyday life.

disadvantages

  • A somewhat protracted plot.

Alchemist

Book author: Paulo Coelho

Rating: 4.6

Alchemist

Paulo Coelho's novel 'The Alchemist' is a story about a shepherd's search for Santiago, who is looking for treasures, they were guessed by a gypsy woman in exchange for a tenth of the treasure. The storyline takes the hero through losses, wanderings and searches for himself. A meeting with the Alchemist in the El Fayum oasis changes life and, in general, the perception of the world of Santiago – now he learns to cognize the 'Soul of the World', communicate with phenomena and manage the space at his own discretion. The alchemist helps the shepherd follow destiny and listen to the inner world in search of treasures. Meeting with Fatima, finding happiness becomes another key moment in the novel. Will Santiago find the treasure?

The Alchemist is a novel that will help the reader look at his own life from a different angle and understand how close sometimes what we have been looking for.

Advantages

  • World bestseller;
  • A book that can be re-read more than once by people of different ages;
  • Understandable literary language;
  • An unexpected ending.

disadvantages

  • Not.

The mysterious story of Billy Milligan

Book Author: Daniel Keyes

Rating: 4.6

The mysterious story of Billy Milligan

The novel 'The Mysterious Story of Billy Milligan' is based on the real story of a person suffering from dissociative personality disorder, which the author was able to describe very reliably. Keyes conveyed the full depth of human tragedy in an accessible language, explaining even complex medical and legal terms. The reader learns from the first person all the complexity of the situation, plunging into the atmospheric environment of the novel.

Bill was born a normal child and grew up in an ordinary family. Everything was changed by the suicide of his father, then, against the background of what happened, the boy's first 'personalities' appeared. Memory lapses, difficulties in understanding the situation, accusations of a crime and a dissociative disorder (multiple personalities) identified by a psychologist. Until the end of the reading, the intrigue remains whether Billy will be able to cope with the illness and return to normal life. What happened to Billy Milligan and why?

Advantages

  • Psychological novel for a wide range of readers;
  • Easy syllable of the author with an accessible presentation of complex terms;
  • The intrigue remains until the end of the novel – what will the ending be like?

disadvantages

  • The reality of the situation is called into question in many situations.

Back to you

Book author: Sarah Gio

Rating: 4.5

Back to you

An atmospheric novel that will brighten up a gloomy day off and will be read in one breath is Back to You by American writer Sarah Gio. The story develops on an island in Bermuda, where an elderly Charlotte dutifully lives out her life alone. She recalls the time she spent on a desert island with Gray, who saved her life. Once a bottle with a message from him falls into the hands of a woman. Is Gray alive? How do I find it? The reader will find the answers to these questions in the book by Sarah Gio.

The work is atmospheric, so we highly recommend reading for those who want to go to the sea, but vacation is not soon.

Advantages

  • Easy syllable and quick reading;
  • Beautiful plot;
  • Atmospheric piece.

disadvantages

  • There are no drawbacks identified for the light genre.

The woman in the window

Book author: A.J. Finn

Rating: 4.5

The woman in the window

Our rating is impossible without an action-packed detective, which is the novel 'The Woman in the Window'. Anna lives alone in her house in one of the blocks of New York, rarely goes out because of the stress she experienced a year ago. Communication – only with close people on the phone, but the desire to return to normal life is not alien to her.

Anna's entertainment is watching movies, memories, creativity and spying on neighbors – a real reality show without leaving home. The plot begins to escalate from the moment of moving to a neighboring house of a new family, which at first glance seems to be just ideal: husband, wife, teenage son, peace and idyll. Everything was fine until the heroine witnesses a brutal murder, once again peeping at the neighbors through the camera lens. But how to convey to society that a crime has been committed nearby, if there are no alarming signs from neighbors, and there are simply no witnesses? Anna begins her own investigation.

The novel has been translated into many languages ​​and is popular in many parts of the world. A. J. Finn knows how to present stories with peppercorns so brightly that it is impossible to tear yourself away from them, and thick books are read in one breath.

Advantages

  • An action-packed detective story with an unpredictable ending;
  • An accessible manner of presentation of the text.

disadvantages

  • The plot echoes the similar content of the works.

The murders on the Orient Express

Book author: Agatha Christie

Rating: 4.5

Murder on the Orient Express

The novel Murders on the Orient Express by the legendary Agatha Christie does not lose its relevance even in the 21st century. The famous detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder on the train with his unique deductive methods, although the trip was supposed to be a break after another completed case. Poirot unravels the bizarre and brutal murder of an American step by step, analyzing the conflicting evidence and motives of the alleged killers.

The denouement of the story, as usual with Christie, is unexpected. This is what the queen of the detective genre is good at – she knows how to keep the intrigue and carry the reader into an interesting adventure, from which it is difficult to break away.

Advantages

  • The novel has become a classic of literature, recognized by reviewers;
  • Interesting case management by the famous detective Poirot;
  • An unexpected denouement.

disadvantages

  • They are not in Agatha Christie's novels.

Three comrades

Book author: Erich Maria Remarque

Rating: 4.5

Three comrades

Another classic in the ranking is the book 'Three Comrades' by Erich Maria Remarque. The action takes place in the difficult post-war years, where the heroes are fighting for life, while not forgetting about human values: friendship, love, loyalty. Three friends, whose fates crossed in the First World War, try to escape from terrible memories and ghosts of the past. One of his friends Robert Lokamp met his love in the face of a beautiful girl. The development of their relationship, as well as the interaction of the three friends, is shown against the backdrop of the post-war crisis.

Lust for life in spite of everything, thirst for feelings and humanity – this is what united the heroes of the novel 'Three Comrades'.

Advantages

  • The revival of human values ​​for the modern reader;
  • Strong emotions of the heroes;
  • An interesting plot with elements of vision of historical events.

disadvantages

  • The characters drink a lot, which can darken the reading experience.

Goldfinch

Book author: Donna Tartt

Rating: 4.5

Goldfinch

Donna Tartt's novel 'The Goldfinch' has won prestigious literary awards and received high critical acclaim, which is the reason for the demand among readers.

The focus is on the thirteen-year-old boy Theo Decker, who survived the explosion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and received a ring and a picture of Karel Fabricius from a dying old man with instructions to deliver them to safety. When getting acquainted with the novel, the reader will see what hardships the hero experienced, how he had to wander around cities and other people's families in the United States. The relics will first drag the boy to the bottom, and then give hope for salvation and return to the light. Donna Cartt managed to combine the incongruous: the novel is classic and modern, for which the work receives recommendatory reviews. The author's work lasted almost 10 years, the manuscripts were repeatedly edited and adjusted to suit the most discerning reader. A message to the authors of the classics, subtle descriptions, while the usual and understandable syllable – 'Goldfinch' is a 'tasty' literary cocktail.

Advantages

  • A heartfelt novel with an interesting plot;
  • A wide range of heroes' feelings, empathy for them;
  • A combination of different genres in one piece.

disadvantages

  • With a large amount of text, there are many vague fragments, lengthy descriptions.

1984

Book author: George Orwell

Rating: 4.4

1984

The novel '1984' became one of the keys to fame for critic, novelist and publicist George Orwell, but, unfortunately, only towards the end of his life. The raised topic, the plot of which develops in the middle of the 20th century, is relevant to this day. The focus is on Ministry of Truth employee Winston Smith, who brings historical documents into line with the political regime. The hero understands that everything he does is necessary for the party, but he himself internally denies the established regime of totalitarianism. Attempts to resist, manifest feelings and change thoughts only aggravate the situation, driving Winston into the trap of unfreedom.

The novel '1984' was banned in the USSR until the collapse of the country, because the censorship saw in Big Brother the correspondence to the ruling leaders of the country. The situation was similar in other countries.

Advantages

  • The novel raises the ever-topical problems of a person in a political regime;
  • The hero's attempt to resist the formation and the possible results of this activity.

disadvantages

  • A drama that evokes predominantly heavy thoughts;
  • The ending is ambiguous for the reader. We are doomed?

Idiot

Book author: F.M.Dostoevsky

Rating: 4.4

Idiot

The novel The Idiot has been translated into different languages ​​and to this day is one of the most widely read works of Russian classics. True, the audience is mainly students, pupils and students of various courses, as well as readers who want to refresh their memory of a work they have read long ago. Films have been made based on the book, performances, ballet and opera are staged in theaters.

'The Idiot' is a four-part story about the Russian prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin, who was treated for epilepsy in Switzerland. He is smart, kind, but is not perceived by aristocratic society as a normal person. The hero is faced with misunderstanding, rejection, contempt, greed, but still remains true to his open heart. Will he be able to withstand the cruel world? In part, he received the nickname Idiot because of his sincere faith in people and a bright future, while others see only the dark around.

The problem posed by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a person in the big world, a thirst for life, new knowledge and bright feelings against the background of difficult human relations and hidden thoughts about one's own welfare.

Advantages

  • Classic;
  • Immersion of the reader into his own inner world with philosophical questions;
  • Partly immersed in history;
  • Interesting story.

disadvantages

  • Requires immersion and reflection, awareness.

The Da Vinci Code

Book author: Dan Brown

Rating: 4.4

The Da Vinci Code

Closes the rating world famous work by Dan Brown 'The Da Vinci Code', more than once filmed. The genre of the novel is a detective story that begins with the murder of Jacques Saunière, the keeper of the Louvre's secrets. A note with a cipher was found next to the body, directing the search for a solution to the crime in secret signs in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Robert Langdon, a lecturer at Harvard University, teamed up with the victim's granddaughter, trying to solve an encrypted riddle and find out who and why dealt with the guardian.

As it turns out, the main goal of the killer is an attempt to learn from Saunière about the Holy Grail, a Christian relic that promises the owner unlimited power. Probably, da Vinci knew where the Grail was hidden; he hid the answer to the riddle in his sculptures and paintings. What secrets will Robert be able to reveal and will he find the relic?

Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code has been translated into 44 languages ​​and sold 88 million books worldwide.

Advantages

  • Calm narration of events;
  • Interesting storyline;
  • Detailed acquaintance with the works of the Italian artist;
  • Deep enlightenment.

disadvantages

  • Inconsistency of some religious aspects.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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