Is one piece a lot or a little? It all depends on what kind of work it is. For some, it is enough to write just one book so that the fame from it will last for centuries, while others churn out a dozen novels a year, but cannot achieve reader recognition. What's playing? decisive role Is the success of a particular book due to the skill of the writer, relevance and topicality, or well-aligned stars? Doesn't exist universal recipe How to create a best-selling book, however, the authors from our selection still managed to become famous thanks to a single work, in the shadow of which all their other creations remained.
Margaret Mitchell and Gone with the Wind
Mitchell's only novel for which she received a Pulitzer Prize. Novel " Gone with the Wind", which took 10 years to complete, was published in 1936 and immediately gained worldwide success, becoming a real sensation. Fans flooded Mitchell with letters asking her to write something else, but the writer remained silent. The 1939 film based on the novel, starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, won eight Academy Awards.
“Gone with the Wind” is a book for all times: about friendship and jealousy, about betrayal and loyalty, about true love and self-sacrifice. This is a saga about America, about the South, about strength and resilience. human spirit, about the proud and free people of that era, who were blown away by the winds of war and fate.
Bram Stoker and Count Dracula
In fact, Bram Stoker cannot be called an “author of one book” in the literal sense of the word, because in addition to “Dracula” he created at least 10 more major works. But it was this novel, published in 1897, that brought him fame. The Irish writer worked on Dracula for eight years, deeply studying European folklore and vampire legends. And although Stoker was not the first to touch upon the “vampire theme” in his work, his novel and characters became cult, having a great influence on the popularization of the genre.
The plot centers on the story of a young lawyer, Jonathan Harker, who goes to Transylvania to visit a rich man and aristocrat, Count Dracula, for legal registration transactions. But with every day of his stay in the ancient castle, the man’s awareness grows that mysterious, if not frightening, things are happening around him. He understands that neither professional qualities London lawyer, nor life experience will not help him in the fight against the nightmares lurking in the home of the suspicious count.
Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - best novel century, received huge amount bonuses. In the year of release, about two and a half million copies of this work were sold, and to date - more than 30. Harper Lee was not ready for such a resounding success, so she chose to go “into the shadows” for a while, refusing to give interviews and meet with fans .
This novel is a story told by a five-year-old girl about a trial and terrible crime, perfect in a sleepy little town in America. However, behind this private story and experience lie all the secrets of a turning point in society, where the bigotry, racism and intolerance inherent in the American South are gradually becoming a thing of the past.
Jerome David Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye
Salinger released his first novel in 1951 and immediately limited contacts with outside world, focusing on the inner world. He became one of the main recluses modern literature and until 2010 he led an extremely secluded life, writing “on the table.”
The novel “The Catcher in the Rye” became a turning point in the history of world literature, and the main character, Holden Caulfield, became a symbol of a generation of young rebels. The book talks about the perception of life by a teenager who does not want to accept the values and morals established in society. He wants to change the world, reshape it in his own way, bypassing all existing laws, but suffers a fiasco as a result of the relative immaturity of his own personality and lack of life experience.
Ken Kesey and "Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
Published in 1962, the novel by the “merry prankster” Ken Kesey created a huge resonance in society, becoming one of the main works of the beatnik and hippie movements. The writer's life was full of adventures: some of which formed the basis of his new works, and for some of which he was convicted. But none of his works became as important as Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Is there a line between sanity and madness? Are all the so-called madmen so immersed in their own world? It was these questions that formed the basis of the novel. It is interesting that Kesey managed not only to compose such a popular story, but also to put a dose of documentary into it: it recorded the results of the author’s long conversations with mentally ill people and his reasoning on the topic of madness.
Venedikt Erofeev and Moscow-Petushki
This poem, written from the perspective of the main character, a drinker, is a kind of philosophical parable, not subject to the flow of time, in which Erofeev describes his own universe, a separate world. “Moscow-Petushki” is not the only, but the most significant and famous work of the author.
Surreal details, emotionality, hidden allegories and metaphors - all this is the author’s special style, which you can enjoy while reading this work. And the main character, who at first glance seemed like a limited person, whose life moves with an unsteady gait from glass to glass, becomes a worthy opponent for the reader, deeply moral and conducting a philosophical and religious dialogue with the world.
Mariam Petrosyan and “The House in Which...”
One of the main Russian novels of the new century, created by a Yerevan artist and writer. Released in 2009, “The House in Which...” instantly won recognition from the readership and literary critics. The success of the book was supported by a number of prestigious awards, including the “Russian Prize” in the category “Major Prose” and “ Big book" in the "Audience Award" nomination.
Mariam Petrosyan worked on the novel for twenty years and didn’t even think that anyone would want to publish it. She sent handwritten text fragments to friends and relatives, providing them with my own illustrations. However, at some point, Moscow acquaintances began to strongly advise me to publish the book - and it was published by the Livebook publishing house.
“The House in Which...” is a special world on the verge of reality and fiction. The central setting is a boarding house for disabled children. But it is not so easy to understand what kind of injury a character has - this is not stated directly, sometimes you can only guess. And we don’t know the real names of the children, only their nicknames. They learn to live in this house, learn its history and mystical side, and choose: to adapt or resist the rules and traditions. "Appearance" ( real world outside the boarding school) seems illusory and hostile. But the news that the House is going to be demolished brings chaos to the usual course of things, now each character has to make their own difficult choice.
Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
The novel, written by an 18-year-old writer, was first published in 1818. According to one version, it was written as a result of a creative dispute between Mary Shelley and Lord Byron: who could write for real scary story. This is exactly how the work was born, which brought the young writer world fame and became the founder of the science fiction tradition in literature.
Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with the idea of bringing matter to life. Years of research and experimentation culminate in success when he manages to create a humanoid monster, so frightening that the scientist has no choice but to bid him farewell and let him go. independent travel. The monster sets out on a solitary journey through this world, and a plan of retribution is brewing in his soul.
Kathryn Stockett and The Help
The novel by the American writer was published in 2009; a year later the book could be bought in 53 countries, and by the end of 2011, about 7 million copies had been sold. It spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.
The events described in the work take place in the 1960s in America, in the state of Mississippi. In those days, there was still strong racial segregation - blacks lived in separate neighborhoods, could only count on the dirtiest work, even in public transport above the most convenient places There was a sign saying “whites only.” A young girl, Skeeter (from a white family), returns home after graduating from university and dreams of becoming a writer. She wants to understand where their dark-skinned maid Constance, who raised her and always surrounded her with warmth and care, went. But no one around can give her specific answers. Memories of the life that Constance led in their family, and observations of other dark-skinned maids, prompt the aspiring writer to think about the injustice of dividing the world based on skin tone. She wants to open people's eyes to the real state of things by writing a book about it. But the idea turns out to be very dangerous in a world where racial discrimination has prevailed for centuries.
The New York Times says of this book: “A story written from the heart, full of pain, warmth and hope. An old-fashioned novel in a good way. If it weren't so fresh, it could easily be called a classic."
Photo: Getty Images, Alexey Filippov ITAR-TASS, Anatoly Morkovkin ITAR-TASS, press service archive
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a classic, known to each of us from school times. This brilliant writer and a talented publicist, in whose work interest continues to this day. In this article we will turn to what Gogol managed to write during his short life. The list of the author’s works inspires respect, let’s consider it in more detail.
About creativity
The entire work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a single inextricable whole, united by the same themes, motives and ideas. Lively, bright style, unique style, knowledge of the characters found among the Russian people - this is what Gogol is so famous for. The list of the author’s works is very diverse: there are sketches from the life of farmers, and descriptions of landowners with their vices, the characters of serfs are widely represented, the life of the capital and the county town is shown. Truly, Gogol describes the whole picture of Russian reality of his time, without making distinctions between classes and geographical location.
Gogol: list of works
Let us list the main works of the writer. For convenience, the stories are combined into cycles:
- the cycle “Mirgorod”, which includes the story “Taras Bulba”;
- "Petersburg Tales" includes the story "The Overcoat";
- the cycle “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, which includes one of Gogol’s most famous works - “The Night Before Christmas”;
- play "The Inspector General";
- the “Arabesques” cycle, which stands out strikingly from everything written by the author, as it combines journalism and artistry;
- poem "Dead Souls".
Now let's look at it in more detail key works in the writer's work.
Cycle “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”
This cycle became Nikolai Vasilyevich and was published in two parts. The first was published in 1831, and the second only a year later.
The stories in this collection describe stories from the life of farmers that occurred in different time periods, for example, the action of “May Night” takes place in the 18th century, and “Terrible Vengeance” - in the 17th century. All works are united by the image of a storyteller - Uncle Foma Grigorievich, who retells stories he once heard.
The most famous story in this series is “The Night Before Christmas,” written in 1830. Its actions take place during the reign of Catherine II in Ukraine, in the village of Dikanka. The story is completely consistent with the romantic tradition with its mystical elements and extraordinary situations.
"Inspector"
This play is considered Gogol's most famous work. This is due to the fact that from the moment it was first staged in the theater (1836), it has not left the theater stage to this day, not only in our country, but also abroad. This work became a reflection of the vices, arbitrariness and limitations of county officials. This is exactly how Gogol saw provincial towns. It is impossible to compile a list of the author's works without mentioning this play.
Despite the social and moral implications and criticism of autocracy, which are clearly visible under the guise of humor, the play was not banned either during the author’s lifetime or later. And its success can be explained by the fact that Gogol managed to unusually accurately and accurately portray the vicious representatives of his time, who, unfortunately, are still encountered today.
"Petersburg Tales"
Gogol's stories included in this collection were written in different times- approximately from the 30s to the 40s of the 19th century. What unites them is their common place of action - St. Petersburg. The uniqueness of this collection lies in the fact that all the stories included in it are written in the spirit of fantastic realism. It was Gogol who managed to develop this method and so brilliantly implement it in his cycle.
What is it? This is a method that allows you to use the techniques of the grotesque and fantasy in depicting reality, while maintaining the topicality and recognition of the images. So, despite the absurdity of what is happening, the reader easily recognizes in the image of the fictional Petersburg the features of the real Northern Palmyra.
In addition, one way or another, the hero of each work in the cycle is the city itself. Petersburg, in Gogol’s view, acts as a force that destroys man. This destruction can occur on a physical or spiritual level. A person can die, lose his individuality and turn into a simple man in the street.
"Overcoat"
This work is included in the collection “Petersburg Tales”. At the center of the story this time is Akakiy Akakievich Bashmachkin, a minor official. About life and dreams " little man"N.V. Gogol tells in this work. The overcoat is the ultimate desire of the protagonist. But gradually this thing grows, becomes larger than the character himself and ultimately consumes him.
A certain mystical connection is formed between Bashmachkin and the overcoat. The hero seems to give part of his soul to this piece of clothing. That is why Akakiy Akakievich dies a few days after the disappearance of the overcoat. After all, along with her, he lost a part of himself.
The main problem of the story is the harmful dependence of people on things. The subject has become the determining factor in judging a person, and not his personality - that’s the horror surrounding reality, according to Gogol.
Poem "Dead Souls"
Initially, according to the author's plan, the poem was supposed to be divided into three parts. The first describes a kind of “hell” of reality. In the second - “purgatory”, when the hero had to realize his sins and take the path of repentance. In the third - “paradise”, the rebirth of the character.
At the center of the story is the former customs official Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. This gentleman dreamed of only one thing all his life - to earn a fortune. And now, in order to fulfill his dream, he embarked on an adventure. Its meaning was to buy up dead peasants who were listed as alive according to the last census. Having acquired certain number such souls, he could borrow a decent amount from the state and go with it somewhere to warmer climes.
The first and only volume tells about what adventures await Chichikov. Dead souls».
“To be in the world and not have anything to indicate your existence - it seems terrible to me.” N.V. Gogol.
Genius of classical literature
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is known to the world as a writer, poet, playwright, publicist and critic. A man of remarkable talent and an amazing master of words, he is famous both in Ukraine, where he was born, and in Russia, to which he eventually moved.
Gogol is especially known for his mystical heritage. His stories, written in a unique Ukrainian language, which is not literary in the full sense of the word, convey the depth and beauty of Ukrainian speech, known throughout the world. Viy gave Gogol his greatest popularity. What other works did Gogol write? We will look at the list of works below. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and little famous works author.
List of works by the writer
In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. He continued to complete some of them, despite publication. Many of his creations had several variations, including Taras Bulba and Viy. Having published the story, Gogol continued to reflect on it, sometimes adding or changing the ending. Often his stories have several endings. So, next we will consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:
- "Hanz Küchelgarten" (1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
- “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“Sorochinskaya Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Man”, “Missing Letter”). Its second part was published a year later. It included the following stories: “The Night Before Christmas”, “Terrible Revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and His Aunt”, “Enchanted Place”.
- "Mirgorod" (1835). Its edition was divided into 2 parts. The first part included the stories “Taras Bulba” and “Old World Landowners”. The second part, completed in 1839-1841, included “Viy” and “The Story of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich.”
- "The Nose" (1841-1842).
- "Morning business man" It was written, like the comedies “Litigation”, “Excerpt” and “Lackey”, in the period from 1832 to 1841.
- "Portrait" (1842).
- “Notes of a Madman” and “Nevsky Prospekt” (1834-1835).
- "The Inspector General" (1835).
- The play "Marriage" (1841).
- "Dead Souls" (1835-1841).
- Comedies "The Players" and "Theatrical Tour after the Presentation of a New Comedy" (1836-1841).
- "The Overcoat" (1839-1841).
- "Rome" (1842).
These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (list by year, more precisely) indicate that the heyday of the writer’s talent occurred in 1835-1841. Now let’s take a little look at the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.
"Viy" - Gogol's most mystical creation
The story of “Viy” tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion’s daughter, who, as the whole village knew, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, makes the funeral student Khoma Brut read over her. The witch, who died due to Khoma’s fault, dreams of revenge...
Reviews of the work “Viy” are complete praise for the writer and his talent. It is impossible to discuss the list of Nikolai Gogol’s works without mentioning everyone’s favorite “Viy”. Readers note bright characters, original, unique, with their own characters and habits. All of them are typical Ukrainians, cheerful and optimistic people, rude but kind. It is impossible not to appreciate Gogol's subtle irony and humor.
The writer’s unique style and his ability to play on contrasts are also highlighted. During the day, the peasants walk and have fun, Khoma also drinks so as not to think about the horror of the coming night. With the arrival of evening, a gloomy, mystical silence sets in - and Khoma again enters the circle outlined in chalk...
A very short story keeps you in suspense until the last pages. Below are stills from the 1967 film of the same name.
Satirical comedy "The Nose"
“The Nose” is an amazing story, written in such a satirical form that at first it seems fantastically absurd. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - his place is empty. In a panic, Kovalev begins to look for his lost nose, because without it you won’t even appear in decent society!
Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol's stories, despite the fact that they were written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works can mostly be divided into mysticism and satire, felt very subtly modern society, which has not changed at all over the past time. Rank and external polish are still held in high esteem, but no one is interested in the inner content of a person. It is Plato’s nose, with an outer shell, but without internal content, that becomes the prototype of a richly dressed man, intelligently thinking, but soulless.
"Taras Bulba"
"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. When describing Gogol's works, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, one cannot fail to mention this story. The plot centers on two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and extremely principled man.
Readers especially highlight the small details of the story, which the author focused on, which enliven the picture and make those distant times closer and understandable. The writer spent a long time studying the details of everyday life of that era, so that readers could more vividly and vividly imagine the events taking place. In general, Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich, the list of whose works we are discussing today, always attached special meaning little things.
The charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. Tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, brave and courageous Ostap and romantic, selfless Andrei - they cannot leave readers indifferent. In general, the famous works of Gogol, the list of which we are considering, have interesting feature- a surprising but harmonious contradiction in the characters’ characters.
“Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”
Another mystical, but at the same time funny and ironic work by Gogol. The blacksmith Vakula is in love with Oksana, who promised to marry him if he gets her slippers like the queen herself. Vakula is in despair... But then, quite by chance, he comes across evil spirits having fun in the village in the company of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works includes numerous mystical stories, this story involved a witch and a devil.
This story is interesting not only because of the plot, but also because of the colorful characters, each of whom is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in their own image. Gogol admires some slight irony He admires Vakula, and teaches Oksana to appreciate and love. Like a caring father, he chuckles good-naturedly at his characters, but it all looks so soft that it only evokes a gentle smile.
The character of the Ukrainians, their language, customs and foundations, so clearly described in the story, could only be described in such detail and lovingly by Gogol. Even making fun of the “Moskalyama” looks cute from the lips of the characters in the story. This is because Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, loved his homeland and spoke of it with love.
"Dead Souls"
Sounds mystical, don’t you agree? However, in fact, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. Main character Chichikov seems like a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in him. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his unpleasant actions, which already says a lot.
In this work, the writer, as always, is an excellent psychologist and a true genius of words.
Of course, these are not all the works that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without the continuation of Dead Souls. It was its author who allegedly burned it before his death. Rumor has it that in the next two volumes Chichikov was supposed to improve and become a decent person. Is this true? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.
Disputes about who actually is the author Shakespearean plays, have not subsided to this day. When William Shakespeare lived, there was no such controversy. No one doubted the authenticity of the authorship of this writer. After Shakespeare died, one after another, individuals suddenly began to emerge, declaring that the author of the famous plays was a completely different person.
To this day, no final conclusion has been reached on this issue. According to researchers' assumptions at the moment More than a dozen people who want to become famous claim authorship. A version has been put forward that the name "William Shakespeare" is literary pseudonym. In fact, the plays were either written by a whole group of people or simply by another person. One of the options for the development of events is that Shakespeare knew that literature was being published by other people under his name, and was not against it.
Today, the authorship of King Lear and Richard III, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet is attributed to different people. Among the many names mentioned are not only the writer Christopher Marlowe, but even Queen of England. There are people who claim that William Shakespeare used literary works a talented but low-income person. He published his works under his own name, paying him a certain amount of money for it.
The American Delia Bacon once made a claim to all Shakespeare's works, claiming that their author was her ancestor Francis Bacon. Since the lady claimed that evidence in the form of documents was in the grave with Shakespeare, an autopsy of the writer’s grave was done, but to no avail.
Writer Virginia M. Fellows also attributes authorship to Francis Bacon in her work The Shakespeare Code. The book puts forward the theory that Count Bacon, being learned man and the author of his own two-letter cipher, encrypted his messages because he could not openly use the secrets of the royal court of England known to him. You can verify this by studying the printed originals of the works. And also the fact that some close associates helped him in this.