What every educated person should read. The most interesting modern books

No matter how unusual it may sound, in the modern world of various gadgets, applications and IT technologies, our youth still read books, many modern authors with a new style and approach to writing books speak about this.

What kind of books are these, or rather, stories that excite the modern reader?

Let's find out what they are - the most interesting modern books. Although it will not be easy to make a choice among the huge amount of interesting literature, we will still try to do it.

E.L. James - Fifty Shades of Gray

Well, how can we remember the most sensational and scandalous book under the intriguing title “Fifty Shades of Gray”? This half-romantic and half-erotic story of the touching and hot relationship between a journalist and a successful businessman created a real sensation, and also had the effect of an exploding bomb.

For the first time in many years, someone dared to write not only about sex, but also about the capabilities and desires of a person during times of lust and passion.

What a fitting title for this love story, it's a disaster modern world. Yes, yes, the Internet is a destructive web; it gives as many opportunities as it takes away. People meet, meet and communicate in the virtual world, forgetting about real emotions and experiences. And when, having met in the real world, they don’t suit each other, they can’t understand what’s wrong and why virtual love and sympathy are so different from the real world, because on social networks everything was perfect...

George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire. Game of Thrones"

We couldn’t ignore the most discussed and popular novel of the 21st century. A whole series of fantasy novels captivated the minds of young people and made an entire generation fans of this trilogy. The plot of the book unfolds around the fictional continent of Westeros and its mysterious, and I would even say, slightly mystical inhabitants. A mysterious saga about the life of seven kingdoms, where love reigns, hate reigns and the war for the Iron Throne never stops. Here, as is customary in science fiction novels, there are dragons, magicians and fearless warriors. If you are no longer a child, but still love fairy tales, then this series of books about the Magic Kingdom is just for you.

Markus Zusak - "The Book Thief"

A very touching story about a girl who was adopted as an adult. The plot takes place during the Second World War in a small German town, where everyone is afraid of death and repression. But a strong girl named Liesel finds strength and a great desire to comprehend science and read books that are interesting and beyond her age. Although she gets them in a not very honest and humane way, and simply put, she steals from the library of a person respected by everyone, but the end justifies all the means, doesn’t it? This book is a must read for everyone, it's easy to read and the plot is amazing.

John Green - "The Fault in Our Stars"

Love is the most important and primary feeling in our lives and throughout the world. At the same time, a very romantic and sad love story between two terminally ill people. Hazel Grace and August Waters meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. They know that imminent death will separate them, but they are happy that before leaving they experienced tender feelings and found happiness. Unusual story love, where pain is intertwined with tenderness and happiness, and which is a must-read.

Pavel Sanaev “Bury me behind the baseboard”

Touching and very life story about how love turns into hatred and tyranny. The story is autobiographical, it is told by a little boy whom he abandoned birth mother, leaving him in the care of his grandparents. And they, in turn, are not too happy about this prospect, but are ready to fulfill this duty of conscience without unnecessary feelings and emotions. The strict grandmother is confident that she will raise the boy to be an obedient and emotionless robot. Only Sasha Savelyev doesn’t think so and has his own opinion on everything... Yes, you wouldn’t even dream of such a childhood... This story is on the list of books that are definitely worth reading.

Bernhard Schlink - "Reader"

Each of us has our own secrets and mysteries. The book “The Reader” is a rather complex psychological story of love, passion, hopelessness and betrayal.

A fifteen-year-old boy and a fully grown woman start an affair, they are united by an interest in books, and an educated guy reads important and interesting, in his opinion, books to his illiterate lover.

Stormy passion and unusual relationship end as unexpectedly as they begin. But fate is preparing for ex-lovers another meeting, but the circumstances will not be too pleasant for them. For those who have not read this popular story, we highly recommend reading it, because this is one of the books that will make you think and touch every note of your soul.

Mitchell David - "Cloud Atlas"

The novel is on the verge of fantasy - that’s what critics dubbed it. The plot tells about six different people from different time periods, namely the past, future and present, but as it turns out later, they have one soul, it is simply subject to reincarnation and wanders, visiting first one body, then another. Everything is very confusing and the storylines are very intertwined, although the meaning and morality are still present here. But what they are is up to you to decide. But to do this, you first need to read the book from beginning to end.

Moyes, Jojo - "Me Before You"

We all have our own past, and throughout our lives we all meet the right and important person for us, who will once and for all change it beyond recognition.

This touching novel is about exactly that. Already in the first weeks of sales, more than half a million copies were sold, and the book itself entered the top bestsellers according to the New York Times. And this turn of events is not at all surprising, because we all adore love stories, which end with a happy ending.

Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner

The story is about the friendship that two eastern boys Amir and Hasan carried through their entire lives, despite all the differences and social inconsistency, because they are from different social strata and classes. Life has scattered them to different places and forced them to be on opposite sides of the barricades, but despite this they are faithful to their conscience and friendship.

A very moralizing and life story, which came from the pen of a talented writer, showed the whole world how to value friendship, and no matter what, not turn into blood enemies and take care of friendly relations with all your might.

Sebastian Barry "Tables of Fate"

An interesting story about how a poor old woman, who is already a hundred years old, living her old age in a mental hospital, keeps her own diary, where she writes down difficult and sad memories associated with her fate and the country in which she was born.

Ray Bradbury - "Dandelion Wine"

An ordinary life story that takes place in a small town. Every summer, two boys come to the village to visit their beloved grandfather and help the old man collect dandelions for his drink according to his own recipe. This interesting wine contains their family history, traditions and memories, as well as all-consuming love, friendship, quarrels and tragedies.

Colm Toibin - "Brooklyn"

The best novel of the year about a young girl and a real wanderer who returns to her native land after so many years of wandering and searching for herself. Life forces her to leave her native Ireland and settle in New York's Brooklyn. Maybe this is for the better, because the chance of finding love here is much higher.

Homesickness makes her thoughts constantly return to her native land, and when Eilis gets used to a foreign city and becomes her own in it, life circumstances return her to Ireland.

What is this? Joke or simple irony of fate? What will happen next and what trials does fate have in store for her? To find out the whole truth you need to read the most interesting novel of 2017.

Gillian Flynn - "Gone Girl"

The detective of the decade will tell us how you can live with a person for five years and not know him at all. A married and, at first glance, happy couple is preparing to celebrate their wedding anniversary, but in an instant everything changes.

The thing is that the main character disappears without a trace, leaving a lot of bad evidence pointing to her death and even more questions. But we will find out the answers to them only when we read this most interesting book.

Gregory David Roberts - "Shantaram"

The story of an Australian guy who chose the wrong one life path and went to prison. By chance, he manages to escape, and to get out of sight, he goes to Bombay. In India, a guy named Lindsay does not reform and again becomes a swindler and a deceiver. The moral of this novel is “people don’t change.” This is such a strange life story, but we will not reveal all the secrets and will give you a chance to read this book yourself.

Bernard Werber - "Empire of Angels"

We all ask ourselves the question: “Is there life after death and what awaits us beyond that?” A story that touches on this topic and gives us a chance to reflect and realize what evil and good are, why we were given life and how to use it correctly.

The main character of a science fiction novel named Michel Panson goes to heaven after death (that's lucky), and becomes a Guardian Angel and receives three wards.

It turns out that it is not so easy to watch worldly life and being on the other side of the screen, and his new profession is not easy. This is the author’s imagination that brought him and his novel worldwide fame. The topic is simply very interesting and in demand. After all, we are not eternal...

Mikhail Bulgakov: The Master and Margarita

A volume of Mikhail Bulgakov standing on a bookshelf testifies to the good taste of the reader. It is no coincidence that what this author wrote survived the death of Soviet literature without loss and today is read as a continuation of the golden fund of Russian classics of the 19th century. Fascinating stories (“fiction, rooted in everyday life”), vivid images, moral issues, raised to a universal scale - all this makes you return to what you read again and again.

Marquez Garcia: One Hundred Years of Solitude

One of the greatest books of the twentieth century. A strange, poetic, whimsical story of the city of Macondo, lost in the jungle - from creation to decline. The story of the Buendia family - a family in which miracles are so everyday that they are not even noticed. The Buendia clan produces saints and sinners, revolutionaries, heroes and traitors, dashing adventurers - and women too beautiful for ordinary life. Extraordinary passions boil within it - and incredible events occur.

George Orwell: 1984. Animal Farm

“1984” A kind of antipode to the second great dystopia of the 20th century - “O wondrous new world" Aldous Huxley. What, in essence, is more terrible: a “consumer society” taken to the point of absurdity, or a “society of ideas” taken to the absolute? According to Orwell, there is and cannot be anything more terrible than total lack of freedom... “Animal Farm” A parable full of humor and sarcasm. Can a humble farm become a symbol of a totalitarian society? Of course yes. But... how will this society be seen by its “citizens” - animals doomed to slaughter.

Herman Melville: Moby Dick, or the White Whale

Herman Melville is a writer and sailor, in whose work and fate the experience of a traveler and the mythopoetic worldview of the artist surprisingly organically melted. Awareness of the magnitude of Melville’s talent did not come immediately, and only a quarter of a century after the writer’s death did the outlines of the enormous contribution that he made to the treasury of world literature become visible. Melville's work - the grandiose "Moby Dick" - became one of the pinnacles of American literature.

Francis Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby

“ The Great Gatsby" - most famous novel Francis Fitzgerald, who became a symbol of the “Jazz Age”. America, 1925, the time of Prohibition and gang wars, bright lights and vibrant life. But for Jay Gatsby the embodimentAmerican dreamturned into a real tragedy. And the path to the top, despite fame and wealth, led to total collapse. After all, each of us primarily strives not for material wealth, but for love, true and eternal...

Fyodor Dostoevsky: Crime and Punishment

“ Crime and Punishment” is a novel about one crime. A double murder committed by a poor student for money. It is difficult to find a simpler plot, but the intellectual and spiritual shock that the novel produces is indelible. And the question that the main character set himself to decide: “Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right?” - horrifies.Abyssthe writer explores falls in order to rise to the heights of the spirit.

Ray Bradbury: Dandelion Wine

“ Dandelion wine“Ray Bradbury is a classic work that is included in the golden fund of world literature.Enter the bright world of a twelve-year-old boy and live with him one summer, filled with joyful and sad, mysterious and alarming events; summer, when amazing discoveries are made every day, the main thing of which is that you are alive, you breathe, you feel!

Daniel Keyes: Flowers for Algernon

This fantastic story has amazing psychological power and makes us think about universal questions of morality: do we have the right to experiment on each other, what results can this lead to and what price are we willing to pay to become “the smartest”. What about the lonely?

Alexander Pushkin: Evgeny Onegin

Novel "Eugene Onegin“ – “encyclopedia of Russian life” – presented in thisbookwith the famous comments by Yu.M. Lotman, allowing the reader to better understand the spirit and morals of the era and the novel, the heroes of which have been loved by readers for the third century. The book is illustrated with drawings by A.S. Pushkin, made by the poet on the handwritten pages of the novel.

Ernest Hemingway: The Old Man and the Sea. Across the river, in the shade of the trees

The story “The Old Man and the Sea” is one of Hemingway’s most famous and beloved works by readers. It brought the author a Pulitzer Prize and also played an important role in awarding him the title Nobel laureate. This is a story about “tragic stoicism” and courage, about how, in the face of a ruthless fate and loneliness, a person, even losing, must maintain dignity.

Jonathan Swift: The Travels of Lemuel Gulliver

Gulliver's Travels is Jonathan Swift's most significant work. At first glance, similar to a funny fairy tale, “Gulliver’s Travels” is an allegory, a parable, the author of which is a ruthless and brilliant master of words, ridiculing human and social vices. Masterfully using all shades of the funny, from good-natured humor and gentle irony to angry sarcasm and poisonous ridicule, Swift created one of the greatest satirical books in world literature.

Leo Tolstoy: War and Peace

“War and Peace” by Tolstoy is a book for all times. It seems that it has always existed, the text seems so familiar, as soon as we open the first pages of the novel, many of its episodes are so memorable: hunting and Christmastide, Natasha Rostova’s first ball, a moonlit night in Otradnoye, Prince Andrei at the battle of Austerlitz... Scenes of “peace” , family life are replaced by paintings that are important for the course of all world history, but for Tolstoy they are equivalent, connected in a single stream of time.

Margaret Mitchell: Gone with the Wind

"Gone With the Wind" - the only novel Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949), for which she, a writer, emancipist and women's rights activist, received a Pulitzer Prize. This is a book about what makes us live and fight - no matter what is happening around us. For more than 70 years we have been reading this novel, for more than 70 years we have been admiring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the film adaptation - and the story does not become outdated. Most likely, it is eternal.

Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita

“ Lolita” was published in 1955. Having caused a scandal on both sides of the ocean, this book raisedauthorto the top of the literary Olympus and became one of the most famous and, without a doubt, the greatest works of the 20th century. Today, when the polemical passions around “Lolita” have long subsided, we can confidently say that this is a book about great love, which has overcome illness, death and time, love, open to infinity, “loveat first sight, from the last glance, from the eternal glance.”

Daniel Defoe: The Life and Amazing Adventures of the Sailor Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoe's famous novel was published almost 300 years ago. But even now, after many, many decades, the exciting adventures of Robinson Crusoe still captivate readers. The life of a sailor, who by chance finds himself on a desert island, is full of amazing events. And how many difficulties befall him!

Alexandre Dumas: The Three Musketeers

Where can a poor Gascon nobleman go if all he has is courage, a noble heart and ambition? Well of course inParis! And of course, such a brave man belongs among the royal musketeers. However, the honor of being in this privileged regiment must still be earned, and the surest way... is to make powerful enemies and make friends. D'Artagnan in the shortest possible time succeeded brilliantly in both...

Ilf, Petrov: Twelve chairs

The famous feuilleton novel by Ilf and Petrov “The twelve Chairs ” was first published in 1928. The story of two swindlers who set out in search of Madame Petukhova’s diamonds brought the authors unprecedented success. But few know that one of the most popular works of RussianliteratureThe twentieth century, which went through hundreds of successful reprints, was distorted by Soviet censorship: not only individual phrases and episodes, but also entire chapters were not allowed to be published.

Ray Bradbury: 451° Fahrenheit

“Fahrenheit 451” is a novel that brought the writer world fame. 451° Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper ignites and burns. Ray Bradbury's philosophical dystopia paints a hopeless picture of development post-industrial society; this is a future world in which all written publications are mercilessly destroyed special squad firefighters, and the possession of books is punishable by law, interactive television successfully serves to fool everyone...

Charles Dickens: The Life of David Copperfield as Told by Himself

Great novel English writer has gained the love and recognition of readers all over the world. Largely autobiographical, this novel tells the story of a boy forced to fight alone against a cruel, bleak world inhabited by evil teachers, selfish factory owners and soulless servants of the law. In this war, David can only be saved by moral strength, purity of heart and talent that can turn a ragamuffin into the greatest writer in England.

Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

One of the most fascinating novels by J. Verne. Scientist biologist Pierre Aronnax and harpooner Ned Land go in search of a strange fish noticed by sailors in different parts Sveta. The mysterious creature turns out to be a submarine designed by the mysterious Captain Nemo.

Arthur Doyle: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The English writer and journalist Arthur Conan Doyle is the author of historical, adventure, fantasy novels and works on spiritualism, but he entered world literature as the creator of the Greatest Detective of all times - Sherlock Holmes. A noble and fearless fighter against Evil, possessing a sharp mind and extraordinary powers of observation, the detective uses his deductive method to solve the most intricate puzzles, often saving human lives.

The tale of the modern classic Leonid Filatov is the best book for family reading, half of the text of which has already been parsed into aphorisms and anecdotes. Here is the first fully illustrated edition. Characteristic characters, witty mise-en-scène - one of the most striking books of the twentieth century is finally being published in a wonderful design.

Antoine Saint-Exupéry: The Little Prince

A touching, kind and philosophical work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry with original drawings. A book addressed to children will accompany you throughout your life, each time revealing itself in a new way.

Strugatsky, Strugatsky: It's hard to be a god

Perhaps the most famous of the works of the Strugatsky brothers. One of the most famous stories of Russian science fiction. A fascinating, dramatic story of the life, love and adventures of “Don Rumata” from the kingdom of Arkanar on a distant planet - a knight with two swords, under whose name Anton, a resident from the planet Earth of the 22nd century, is hiding.

Lewis Carroll: Alice in Wonderland

You can spend the evening not in front of the usual TV, tablet, phone, but how nice it is to pick up and read a book on a winter evening.

1. “The Dead Zone”, Stephen King

The hero of the book, John Smith, receives a concussion, this happens when there is a collision on the ice. After which, the hero of this book begins to suffer from visions, discovers psychic abilities...

2. Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

Today this work is not criticized for being excessively fantastic; this novel perfectly helps in solving psychological problems, the author examines the themes of responsibility and love. And the novel itself won the hearts of millions of people...

3. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

The Bennett family has five daughters, all of them need to be married off well, and it is clear that this is not easy. The author psychologically supports the girls and is confident that every girl can meet “Mr. Darcy.”

4. “Manyunya”, Narine Abgaryan

The book perfectly “immerses you in childhood.” A warm, affectionate book, full of adventure, sun rays, sweets! We all come from childhood.

5. “35 kilos of hope”, Anna Gavalda

The book is about a thirteen-year-old boy who loves to make things, and his grandfather is his idol, and he also dreams of getting into a lyceum where boys study and make things.

6. The Green Mile, Stephen King

The Green Mile is a death row in a colony; there is no way out of this prison, only one - the electric chair. But everything changes when John goes to prison...

7. “I'm not afraid”, Niccolo Ammaniti

The state of the soul is not measured by the number of years in the passport, but by how many good deeds a person has done or negative ones.

8. “Suitcase”, Sergey Dovlatov

9. The Thirteenth Tale, Diana Setterfield

Our heroine of the book moves into the writer's house and, unraveling the secrets of the house, realizes that her situations in the house and secrets are very similar to her own life.

10. "Airport" by Arthur Haley

The airport becomes cut off from the outside world, where many people gather, each living their “whole life.”

11. “Neverwhere”, Neil Gaiman

To get into some secret world, you need to open a door, where it is - no one knows.

12. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

This is a tournament between people in the world of the future, whose name is Panem.

13. Five Quarters of an Orange by Joan Harris

The heroine of the book inherits: an album with recipes, and her brother a farm. A girl can solve riddles about her family by reading a book.

14. “A Vague Smile”, Francoise Sagan

The novel is about how the destinies of a lawyer who stops enjoying life and a young student intersect. It would seem that feelings have nowhere to come from, yes...

15. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

16. “The Help,” Catherine Stockett

A cheerful girl comes to a boring town who dreams of becoming a writer...

17. The Many Minds of Billy Milligan, Daniel Keyes

The main character of the novel has his consciousness divided into as many as 24 parts...

18. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

The book is a premise for the script of the film of the same name and is recommended reading.

19. “Pinks of the Universe”, Robert Heinlein

20. “P.Sh.”, Dmitry Khara

Oleg works hard, one day he finds a travel agency that offers an unusual tour, but only for those who are prepared.

Literature is very limitless and cannot be measured in pieces, but in order to rightfully consider yourself an educated and well-read person, first you just need to go through the list of 100 books that everyone should read. There is hardly a person who has mastered all the books on the list. Be the first! Each of the books took special place in world literature. They are all of different genres, different author's writing style, different eras. Thanks to the collected list, each reader will be able to determine exactly what he likes more than anything else. Perhaps find your calling? Or at least set new life goals? Every book we read influences, changes or complements us in one way or another. Don't miss the chance, discover a new world.

1
This is an eternal book that glorified Bulgakov, who has no specific genre. Fantasy, mysticism, history, philosophy are intertwined here, and there is even room for humor. For more than ten years the writer worked on the creation of the famous work, which became his testament.

2 $
"The Little Prince" is relevant for any age. A magical fairy tale in which young readers will have an exciting adventure, and adults can learn a real lesson. The true deep meaning of this work will make you look at the world with different eyes.

3
One of the achievements of Professor Preobrazhensky was the achievement in the field of rejuvenation of the body through endocrine organ transplantation. The experiment was the transplantation of human glands into the body of a dog. Since then, few people do not know the famous surname Sharikov.

4
An epic novel, one of the representatives of Russian classical literature. All events unfold in a difficult period for Russia and all of Europe - the beginning of the 19th century. The reader gets acquainted with the smallest details of war and at the same time peace, while covering different layers of society.

5
Rodion Raskolnikov is a student who committed a crime in the name of the triumph of justice. The old pawnbroker became his victim. He is tormented by pangs of conscience, but he cannot decide to confess to what he has done. And only Sonya Marmeladova can motivate him to do this.

6
A work by one of the best poets of the 19th century. Naturalness, originality, simplicity and sublimity are the distinctive features of the author. "A Hero of Our Time" tells the story of talented person, who, for various reasons, is not destined to be happy.

7
The incredible adventures of Ostap Bender and Ippolit Vorobyaninov still find fans among readers. Before her death, Vorobyaninov’s late mother-in-law spoke about hidden treasures in one of the chairs in the living room set. Nothing will stop the main characters on the path to wealth.

8
A kind of “encyclopedia of Russian life”, on which Pushkin worked for more than eight years. And he was able to show in a poetic novel an entire era, already called “Pushkin”. The famous work of the author, which occupied a central place in his work.

9
The plot of the novel is based on the history of the entire Buendia family. Loneliness follows on the heels of each of its representatives. Relatives cannot understand each other, there is a complete split in the family. Against the background of the story of several generations of the family, certain characteristic features emerge.

10
The stories presented in this book represent the entire Chekhov era. They are funny and at the same time lyrically sad, serious and a little mocking. Chekhov is a prominent representative of Russian classical literature. Modern readers read them to this day.

11
Gogol occupies a special place in the history of Russian literature. The main character Chichikov is a businessman by profession, a genius by nature. Buying up the “Dead Souls” of peasants became his main occupation. Many famous aphorisms and quotes are taken from the work, which excites readers.

12
The vivid story of the long-suffering Prince Myshkin, the insane Parfen Rogozhin and the hopeless Nastasya Filippovna. It has been filmed many times and staged in theaters. One of the most famous works that embodied all the creative principles of the writer.

13
A collection of twelve popular stories. Main story line- Doctor Watson's story about the great detective Sherlock Holmes. In terms of the number of successful film adaptations, the writer's masterpiece detective story could break all records.

14
Continuation of the fascinating journey through Soviet Russia by Ostap Bender. A chance meeting with Shura Balaganov brings him information about an underground millionaire who is posing as an ordinary employee. Ostap Bender goes to Chernomorsk to get rich.

15
Anna Karenina is a well-known character who tragically committed suicide. She had everything - family, home, name. She exchanged them for her lover, which thoroughly ruined her life. Against the background of the problems of one family, Tolstoy writes about the problems of Russia.

16
An immortal masterpiece of Russian literature, according to which different years films of the same name were shot. The events of the work take place in Ukraine, describing the life and real character of the Ukrainian people. Easy writing style, humor and ironic mystical line.

17
A famous story based on true events from the life of a sailor who, after a shipwreck, spent more than twenty years on a desert island. A book about the will to live, courage and wisdom, about true friendship that arose between two people from different worlds.

18
An ordinary, small German town in the post-war period. Three friends return from the front. They have always been each other's support and support. In any difficult situation they can count on mutual assistance. And even the girl that one of them falls in love with will not come between them.

19
The only work of the writer that brought her fame and success. The book is one of those that can live forever. Reading it again, you involuntarily rejoice at meeting familiar characters, and again find something new for yourself. About love, friendship, war and betrayal.

20
At the age of 36, the writer, working in a bank as a cashier, was accused of embezzlement and sentenced to three years. In prison, he wrote a number of stories that were published in New York magazines and have survived to this day. His works are distinguished by inventiveness, humor and unexpected endings.

21
Tom Sawyer is a little prankster who lives in a small American town and has a talent for getting into the most incredible situations. He does not want to live according to accepted rules, and dreams of a free life filled with heroic deeds and unforgettable adventures.

22
The saddest and most tragic, eternal love story of two lovers from warring families. Romeo and Juliet, against all odds, fell in love with each other and want to get married. But none of the families will support them. Do you remember how the immortal book of the great author ends?

23
Young native French province Gascony d'Artagnan wants to become a musketeer, for which he comes to Paris. Immediately after his arrival, he finds himself in a duel with three musketeers, whose names are Athos, Porthos and Aramis. From this moment the story of a legendary friendship begins.

24
One day, looking at his portrait drawn by a talented artist, Dorian Gray expressed out loud his seemingly unrealistic wish - if his portrait would grow old instead of him. The words were heard, and from then on not a single wrinkle would appear on Dorian’s face. But is it really that simple?

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A famous story that brought its creator the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes about the old fisherman Santiago. The boy Manolino is his assistant, they have a strong friendship. They fish every day, and for the last forty days their catch has been unsuccessful. One day, Santiago believed in luck...

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The main character is an ordinary sixteen-year-old American boy, Holden Caulfield. The author talks about his complex nature and a unique perception of the surrounding world. He is still a child, but already an adult. His difficult everyday life turns into an exciting story for the reader.

27 Alan Alexander Milne - Winnie the Pooh
The first exciting story about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh bear, taking place in the mysterious Enchanted Forest. About his friends, always ready to help, and the comical situations they found themselves in. Both adults and children love this extraordinary story.

28 Ken Kesey - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Almost all of Randle Patrick McMurphy's life was spent in correctional institutions, where he served many well-deserved sentences. One day he gets into mental asylum, where the nurse Gnusen haunts him. What will their endless clashes lead to?

29
Julien Sorel is a very smart and ambitious young man who lives in France at the beginning of the 19th century. He dreams of Napoleon's military achievements and at the same time is interested in a church career. But all his plans are always ruined by women. And one of them leads to his death...

30
Paul Bäumer, along with his classmates, was drafted into the army and sent to the Western Front. Remarque writes unusually realistically about the experiences of teenagers, about the war as young guys saw it. About how life will turn out if they manage to return home...

31
Edmond Dantes, the lucky one and the darling of fate, was once betrayed. One complaint from an envious person, and the young sailor ended up in prison for fourteen years. The character tempered in prison leads the hero under the pseudonym “Count of Monte Cristo” to his native land to take revenge.

32
Hamlet, the son of the late king, is forced to pretend to be mad until the opportunity comes to take revenge. Revenge is intended on his uncle for the merciless murder of his brother, the King of Denmark. After all, this is the only way Hamlet’s uncle Claudius was able to take possession of the throne.

33
The story is from the life of Petrusha Grinev, who, at his father’s request, is forced to go to the Belogorsk fortress to serve General R. There he will meet not only a mortal enemy, but also a girl who will love him all his life. The book was successfully filmed.

34
The story is about an unusual and magical parallel world where they walk on their heads, the March rabbit is a significant representative of society, and where the craziest and inexplicable things can exist. This is all a wonderland where the girl Alice ended up by chance.

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Miguel Cervantes began writing his best novel, which became famous all over the world, in prison. He himself lived a life full of adventures and dramatic events. And he wrote a vivid story about the unlucky daredevil Don Quixote and his devoted friend Sancho Panza.

36 $
The story of the Great War for the Ring, whoever masters it will become the ruler of the world, but at the same time must worship evil. The Hobbit Frodo must destroy the power of the Ring. Own way, full of adventure, he will go along with his friends and confront all the villains who want to gain power.

37
The mother of five daughters in the Bennett family dreams of successfully marrying each of them. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy become the most eligible bachelors immediately after their arrival. Feelings flare up between the eldest daughter Jane Bennet, full of prejudices, and Mr. Bingley, a proud man.

38
Describing the adventures of the boy Huckleberry Finn, who became an orphan while his father was still alive, Mark Twain touches on such public problems as drunkenness, racism, street children, slavery, fraud and revenge. Contemporaries criticized the author and confiscated books from libraries.

39
One of the brightest representatives of world literature about the young nobleman Oblomov, whose life is going downhill. The estate collapses, the manager robs and his only friend, unlike him, succeeds. And it seems that only unexpected love can bring him to his senses.

40
Doctor Faustus is a historical character from the 16th century. He abandoned modern science and religion, became interested in magic, became known as a warlock, and ultimately sold his soul to the devil. Many authors recalled in their works the image of Faust, which became eternal thanks to Goethe.

41
Dostoevsky's last novel, raising the problems of greed, love, reverence for parents, compassion and mercy, the struggle between the Divine and the Devil in the human soul. The plot centers on the provincial Karamazov family. Was filmed twice.

42
A story about faith in miracles, about dreams that must come true and hope. Little Assol, when she was still little, one old man told a story about a prince and a ship with scarlet sails. He will sail to Assol when she becomes an adult. With unshakable faith in miracles, she began to wait.

43
For true lovers and connoisseurs of the classics. Turgenev’s famous work will never lose its relevance, because the problems of different generations have remained unchanged since the 60s of the 19th century. The vivid characters and unique style of the author will forever be remembered by the reader.

44
The writer's first novel, which soon became widely known after it was written. Kyiv, the Civil War is in full swing. Talking about the plight of one family of a noble family, the author smoothly moves on to the large-scale problems of the Soviet era, where the eternal values ​​of culture are perishing.

45 Richard Bach - Jonathan Livingston Seagull
A book that can teach you how to achieve what you want, get rid of the ordinary, and expand the boundaries of your capabilities. By her own example, she shows that with effort, you can achieve anything. The easy writing style and deep valuable meaning captivate readers to this day.

46 $
A cycle consisting of five stories, the author of which was the character Ivan Petrovich Belkin, invented by Pushkin. His biography can be found in the preface. The stories were written in different directions- romanticism, sentimentalism and even with Gothic elements.

47
The beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and the ugly hunchback Quasimodo are characters from the famous work of Victor Hugo. The action takes place in France in the 15th century. The fascinating and unusual plot has repeatedly captivated directors and theater producers.

48 $
The talented detective Sherlock Holmes and his permanent assistant Doctor Watson take on their next case. There are rumors about a curse on the Baskerville family. Inhuman footprints were found near the body of the deceased Charles, which pretty much frightened those around him. So is it really all about the curse?

49
One of the heaviest works that cannot leave you indifferent. The plot centers on a lone hero trying to contradict the whole system. Lack of meaning and complete hopelessness follow him around. They won't give him a chance.

50
A young man from a noble society was once rescued by a young sailor. As a thank you, he invited him to a dinner party. There, a sailor who does not fit into such a society meets his sister and falls in love. To win the beauty's heart, he decides to take up his education.
51

52
Three best friends go for a walk along the Thames. What could be better than such a break from city worries? It soon becomes clear that everything is not so simple. And any little thing can turn into an ironic problem. And the overly energetic fox terrier adds to the fun.

53
The story is about the difficult fate of the little girl Jane Eyre, who was left without parents at an early age, under the supervision of an unkind aunt. She spent her childhood in a boarding house for the poor, and when she became an adult, she earned her living as a governess and teacher.

54
Paris, 1939. A German surgeon who fled to France is trying to find a place in life. He has no right to work, and has no faith in the future. But in an instant, sudden love changes everything. It cannot exist, but you can't argue with feelings. Do they have a future?

55
451 degrees Fahrenheit ignites paper. In the world depicted by Bradbury, houses are built from materials that do not burn. Books are also prohibited. And the only thing firefighters do is burn books. Thirsty for change, Montag picks up his first book.

56
After aliens visited Earth, the world changed. Certain Zones have been formed in which various artifacts left by alien creatures are collected. Entry is prohibited. But everything that is there is highly valued. This is how stalkers appeared who sneak there illegally.

57
The main character of the book is programmer Alexander Privalov. One day, right in a dense forest, I met two young people. Thanks to them, Alexander gets a job at a mysterious research institute, where activists and enthusiasts are held in high esteem, and everything unrealizable becomes real.

58
A four-volume work, translated into dozens of languages ​​and received Nobel Prize. Difficult 20th century, height civil war, brutal revolution. The way of Cossack life appears in all its diversity. In 1957, the film of the same name was released.

59
While on a yacht near the Scottish coast, Lord Glenarvan and his family caught a hammerhead fish, unusual for these waters. From it they took out a bottle in which a letter from Captain Grant was preserved two years ago. Glenarvan goes in search of him.

60 $
A planet has been discovered in deep space on which the ocean has occupied almost the entire surface. They named her Solaris. At one of the research bases, the inexplicable began to happen. Ghosts began to come to doctors and scientists - their loved ones who died in the past...

61
Classicism, realism and romanticism are inherent in Griboyedov’s famous creation. The work is written in verse, the genre is comedy. The satirical plot was based on the Moscow society of aristocrats. Over the years of its existence, it has been divided into now famous quotes.

62
One day, Captain Flint hid treasure on a desert island. And drew a detailed map. Due to some strange events, the map falls into the hands of Jim Hawkins, the son of the inn owner. It is no longer possible to fight the desire to find wealth.

63
A unique poem by Homer that has survived to this day unchanged. IN poetic form legends and myths of Ancient Hellas, dangerous adventures, amazing exotic countries and the feelings of the main characters. A bright representative of world literature.

64
He is a wild Wolf born in Alaska. There were many dangers and adventures along his way. Once in the hands of people, he was both a fighting dog and a sled dog. And one day a Man saved him from death. His Man. And when the threat loomed over him, the Wolf repaid him in kind.

65
Anton is part of a group of earthling historians living on a medieval planet. And among historical cruelty and squalor, he tries to find at least a hint of a bright future, already familiar to him. He knows that everyone on this planet is doomed to suffer. And he can't help. It's depressing.

66
Five northerners were captured by the civil war. Fear of death pushes them to flee. And I had to run away hot-air balloon. The hurricane brought them to a mysterious uninhabited island, where they were not only able to survive, but to live fully. But are they really the only ones there?

67
Ivan Bunin wrote a story about love. About a feeling that can become a sad memory from the past. Or a minute that changed your whole life. Or about love that will become a “cruel romance.” Each of them is a “dark alley” of the most mysterious and impenetrable labyrinth in the world.

68 $
The main character is a pilot who makes his living flying an airplane. One day he meets a man. He can fly too, but not like a regular pilot. He will teach him to believe and create miracles. And not only the hero of the book, but also every reader can learn this.

69
A love story between a twelve-year-old girl and an adult man. The book, which has endured an incredible amount of criticism, has firmly established itself in classical Russian literature. Even today, controversy continues around this work, which has become one of the great creations of the 20th century.

70
A bright representative of world literature. The events take place in Italy at the end of the 18th century. The Italians dreamed of independence, but the Battle of Waterloo was not successful. The deep emotions of the characters and tense historical events create an exciting atmosphere.

71
The Iliad is the prehistory of the famous Odyssey. Here the Gods fight each other. The story of Odysseus himself and the fearless Achilles is told, weak point which was his heel. And also the Greco-Trojan War, which began because of love. All this is “The Iliad” - Homer’s immortal masterpiece.

72
The narrator of this exciting story is Nick Carraway, a neighbor of the famous and great Jay Gatsby. Jay was rich, famous and free. Guests were constantly in his house, and legends about him were retold everywhere. One day Nick fell into this circle and learned all the secrets of Gatsby's life and death.

73
Medieval asceticism became the subject of ridicule by Giovanni Boccaccio, as well as the exposure of the clergy - these are the main ideas of the work “The Decameron”, which became famous and glorified the writer. From beginning to end, he guides the reader through Italian society.

74
The greatest book that has been translated into more than 70 languages ​​of the world. About a shepherd who has a dream that takes him on a search for treasure in distant pyramids. This book could very well become a reference book. She teaches you how to believe in yourself and how to become successful and get what you want.

75 $
Erast Fandorin is the main character of the detective series of novels by Akunin. His image is the ideal of a 19th century aristocrat: loyalty to principles, nobility, incorruptibility. He has impeccable manners, women are crazy about him. But at the same time he always remains alone. He is also a successful gambler.

76 $
As a child, Sanya Grigoriev set himself the task of finding the missing expedition of Captain Tatarinov. Thanks to his dream, he became a polar explorer. He went through many adventures and trials before reaching his intended goal.

77
The tragic story of a young man, Clyde Griffiths, from a poor family of preachers, who learned all the delights rich life. He is so desperate to become part of this society that he even decides to commit a crime. This work is the peak of the creativity of an outstanding writer.

78
The owner of one estate saved a homeless boy from death and gave him shelter. This is where the story of “Wuthering Heights” begins, the heroes of which are the residents of two neighboring estates. Ellen Dean witnessed their relationship all her life. She also tells this story.

79
The most famous novel that has become a world classic. Lawyer Atticus Finch is raising two children alone after the tragic death of his mother. One day he comes across a case where he must defend a black man accused of abusing a white woman.

80 $
First World War at it's peak. And in the midst of cruelty and devastation, feelings are born between an American soldier and a nurse from Scotland. Many events, obstacles and difficulties will come between them. One day, a soldier decides to desert. Throws away his weapon for love.

81
Under unknown circumstances, a monk of the Benedictine monastery died. And the two main characters - William of Baskerville and Adson of Melk - will have to deal with this matter. Events unfold over the course of one week. Outside the window is the 14th century, somewhere in northwestern Italy.

82
Josef Schweik is a retired soldier. With the outbreak of the First World War, he was again obliged to serve. The novel takes place on the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The work has a satirical slant, with a share of various political and social issues.

83
On the day of his thirtieth birthday, Josef awoke to find himself trapped inside a judicial bureaucratic machine. He studies this machine, trying to somehow influence his business, his Process. Throughout the book, his thinking, although not noticeable to him, changes.

84
A book known to everyone since school days. It shows in all its colors the life of the Cossacks, who fight for the most important thing in their lives - love for their native land. This is an eternal work about duty and honor, about love, about friendship and betrayal, about family and mutual assistance.

85
He was very young and naive. Finding himself once deceived, rejected, mired in dirty slander, he stages the moment of suicide and runs away. He will return only in thirteen for long years with an ugly face, a broken heart and someone else's name.

86
The main characters of the novel are three generations of the Cleary family. Events unfold over fifty years, starting in 1915. They were able to rise from the poor to managers of the largest estate. The author introduces the reader to the rich Australian way of life.

87 $
\"A holiday that is always with you" is a memoir prose based on travel notes from the author's trip to Paris. Ernest Hemingway left his native country of America and began to travel around the world. He wrote about life, literature, writers.

88 $
Writer Kurt Vonnegut, having a tragic war experience, was able to reflect it in his famous, partly autobiographical work. A sharp plot, wicked, unusual satire, fantasy and a dose of philosophy captivate even the most picky reader.

89 $
This is a kind of continuation of the book “Bridge Over Eternity”, in which sixteen years later the grown-up heroes set off on the next mysterious adventure through the alternative realities of their other lives. They have to choose only one right path.

90
Two years ago, five military merchant ships set sail from Europe to Asia, of which only one remained the only one to survive. After a terrible storm, the ship is wrecked Japanese shores. The surviving sailors find themselves in a country where they are uninvited guests.

91
Voshchev led a boring, joyless life because he did not know what the meaning was in it. He worked at a factory until he was fired due to declining productivity. And he left. Where, he didn’t even know. I got to the neighboring town, where they were digging a foundation pit for a building under construction on the edge.

92
Hadji Murat was a real horseman, a powerful deputy of Shamil. The Caucasian people composed legends about his exploits. Shamil himself began to fear him and decided to get rid of his rival and kill him. Hadji Murat wanted to go over to the Russian side. And he was killed while trying to escape.

93
One of the greatest representatives of world literature. In all its diversity, the writer shows French society of the 19th century. Captivating plot, realistic events described, vivid and strong characters the main characters - that's why readers love Hugo to this day.

94
The story of the girl Polianna, who became an orphan. An unkind aunt took her under her wing. Distinctive feature Pollyanna is that she knows how to find positive sides and rejoice under any circumstances. This helps not only her, but also those around her.

95
The fascinating story of the talented singer Consuelo. Which is obliged to overcome the most difficult trials and bring art to people. A book about the tragic choice between personal life and art, about the fate of a creative person, about the burden of talent.

96 $
The main characters of the book are Richard Bach himself and Leslie Parrish. The novel is partly autobiographical and describes documentary events from the writer’s life, sometimes seen by the author in a dream. Between the main characters there is a real feeling called love. Together they will overcome all difficulties.

97
Pippi Longstocking is an orphaned girl with amazing physical strength. The main location of the events is the Chicken Villa, where Pippi lives with a horse and a pet monkey, Mr. Nils. A series of funny short stories.

98
Fate brings racing driver Clerfay together with the terminally ill Lilian. She doesn’t want to die in a gloomy room, waiting in the wings. And wants to spend recent months in full swing, going on a trip to Europe. A young guy falls in love and proposes marriage.

99
The work “Candide, or Optimism” is part of Voltaire’s “Philosophical Tales” series. The writer's style is characterized by mockery and the speed of development of events. He skillfully combines a deep philosophical theme with a parody of sentimental women's novels about unhappy love.

100
The original novel by James Joyce, which tells about one single day lived by one ordinary resident of one small European city. Within this framework he was able to place all literature with its various techniques and writing styles.

What

Perhaps the main bestseller of the decade is a psychological thriller, in which there are more unexpected plot twists than even the most demanding reader could wish for.

Plot

On their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne's wife Amy goes missing under suspicious circumstances, leaving him the prime suspect in her possible murder.

Context

Critics have called Flynn's book a "novel of mirrors": nothing can be trusted here and on every page everything turns out to be not what it seems. It seems that the reader opens the book for this reason, so that he is thoroughly taken aback, but not only. Flynn writes, as it were, a fascinating read on the most favorite topic of a great novel - about family. She takes two absolutely glossy main characters, rips off all the covers from them, so what kind of marriage is there, it’s uncomfortable to stand next to such people, but at the same time it implies that such an impossible union of unpleasant people is perfect formula strong marriage.

Screen adaptation

Young, successful, beautiful and, most importantly, distinctly Hollywood protagonists are begging to be seen on the screen - it’s as if Flynn is writing a novel about the secret lives of American stars. In the novel, by the way, it is repeatedly emphasized how blonde they are - and it seems that the very choice of Ben Affleck for the main role hints that Fincher is up to something to spite the text. In any case, it will not be difficult for this film adaptation to become better than the original - there is nothing in the text except the plot, and Fincher is known for his ability to do beautiful things.

Tom McCarthy "When I Was Real"

What

An avant-garde novel, delightfully different from all other novels before and after it.

Plot

The main character, waking up in a hospital after an unnamed disaster, receives several million in compensation for damages and paranoid uncertainty about the reality of today - and spends a fortune on recreating the “real” pictures that lie dormant in his mind. It all starts with the construction of an entire house, in which a team of special people recreates the smell of fried liver, the sounds of music from a pianist from above, and cats walking on the roof. But it doesn’t end there - behind the house the scene of a street robbery is recreated, and then something worse.

Context

Tom McCarthy came to literature from contemporary art, and his novel is not about the state of modern society, but rather about the state of modern art. Like an attempt to find out how far the art of actionism can go in its pursuit of reality. That is, what is important here is not only the fantasies of the hero, who suffers from the inability to light a cigarette with the ease of De Niro in “Mean Streets,” but also the fact that it helps him fulfill any whim a whole army professionals: from casting to literally choosing wallpaper. This alienation of the process from the result is reminiscent of cinema - is it worth adding that it was this book that Charlie Kaufman was inspired by when writing “New York, New York”.

Screen adaptation

It is logical that the film adaptation of the novel was also undertaken not by a director, but by an artist, and not the last one: video artist Omer Fast became famous precisely for his works that groped the line between art and reality - in “Spielberg’s List” (2003) he interviews the team of the film “Schindler’s List” On the site of a concentration camp built outside Krakow as a movie set, in "Casting" a soldier talking about serving in Iraq turns out to be an actor auditioning for the role of a soldier. The author of the book and the director wrote the script for the film together - and, it seems, understood each other: the movie, where Tom Sturridge, with the help of artistic reconstructions, tries to reach his own forgotten past, Fast describes as the story of an artist devoid of talent.

Laura Hillenbrand "Unbroken"

What

One of the main non-fiction bestsellers of the decade, the 2010 Time magazine book of the year is about a man who survived.

Plot

The incredible biography of Louis Zamperini, a street boy who was raised to be an Olympic runner and sent to the Games in Berlin. Then he became a pilot during World War II, survived a plane crash, drifted on a raft in the ocean for a month - all to be captured by the Japanese.

Context

An incredible and absolutely true story that Laura Hillenbrand found; our time needs heroes and, not finding them in the present, finds them in the recent past.

Screen adaptation

The script for Angelina Jolie's film, which we will see at the end of the year, was written by the Coen brothers, a photograph of her together with the main character, taken shortly before his death, went around the Internet, but it may turn out that the desire to make socially responsible films will play a bad joke on her: this It’s easy to kill an already pathetic story with brutal seriousness.

Jeannette Walls "The Glass Castle"

What

A wonderful book about a difficult childhood in a strange family.

Plot

Dad drinks, mom draws pictures, no one works, there is often no food at home and never money, the children don’t go to school, but dad can tell them the best fairy tale in the world, and mom can teach them to play the piano - and everyone is happy.

Context

In fact, “The Glass Castle” is almost the best thing that happened to young adults literature this decade: instead of the fictional suffering of teenagers from dystopias, here is a real complex childhood, where the bohemian life of parents is not always a joy for their four children.

Screen adaptation

The main name of the upcoming film adaptation is already known - this is Jennifer Lawrence, for whom this book will be a chance to finally get out of the swamp of The Hunger Games somewhere closer to the arthouse. With all the love for Lawrence, a lot depends on her in this film adaptation: the whole book is built on very subtle details, and this should turn out well as “Tideland,” and not just another teenage thriller.

Colm Toibin "Brooklyn"

What

Irishman Colm Toibin, one of the most serious modern authors, tragically (for us) not translated into Russian, and his novel, which received the Costa Prize in 2009.

Plot

A young Irish woman leaves her native village for America for better life- and although things are already difficult for her in Brooklyn, everything becomes even more difficult when tragic events in her homeland force her to return home.

Context

Colm Tóibín is one of the few authors who can write long, slow, leisurely texts and follow his characters with close attention and exceptional sympathy, who have been forgotten by world literature for more than a hundred years. His novel, however, can be read more simply - as a novel about emigrants in reverse, where America becomes a place from which it is necessary to leave.

Screen adaptation

Saoirse Ronan, the apprentice pastry chef from The Grand Budapest Hotel, will play the lead role in John Crowley's upcoming - very Irish - film adaptation: it looks like the heroine's inability to take life into her own hands will be the main plot here.

Kevin Powers "The Yellow Birds"

What

A novel about returning from war, written by an Iraq war veteran, has become for Americans something like All Quiet on the Western Front in the 21st century.

Plot

Private John Bartle went to Iraq with his school friend Murph. At the beginning of the war, they swear to each other not to die - but the hero returns alone. Surviving is only half the battle: adapting back to peaceful life It turns out to be completely impossible.

Context

Kevin Powers' novel filled the empty niche of the Great Novel about Iraq; here, for the first time in literature, all soldiers’ injuries are fully described - both in the fields and after the fields: why they leave, what they experience and how they return.

Screen adaptation

Benedict Cumberbatch, who has been cast in the lead role in David Lowery's upcoming film, says too much about the upcoming film adaptation: he doesn't look much like an Iraqi mercenary, which means that in a text that is half poetry and the other half the call of blood, it has been decided only poetry was left.

Sebastian Barry "Tables of Fate"

What

A century of Irish history in notes from a madhouse.

Plot

A hundred-year-old woman, sitting in a madhouse, keeps a diary in which the tragedy of her own life is inseparable from tragic story Ireland, - and her attending physician sits around the corner and also keeps a diary, a little simpler. Sooner or later they meet.

Context

The 2008 Costa Prize, the Man Booker Prize shortlist and a host of other awards prove, if not the importance, then the literary excellence of the text, authored by one of the best living Irish writers and playwrights.

Screen adaptation

It’s a rare case when already at the stage of preparation of the film it is clear that it will pay tribute to the original: Jim Sheridan in the directors, in the roles of the patient and her doctor Vanessa Redgrave and Eric Bana - and a whole sea of ​​famous names in flashbacks.

Elizabeth Strout "Olivia Kitteridge"

What

A collection of stories from the life of the American province, in which the main character manages to remain a minor character almost to the end.

Plot

13 stories from a small town in New England that gradually form an image main character- an awkward, overbearing, aging high school math teacher. We meet Olivia Kitteridge as a middle-aged woman, and see her off as an old one - in general, this is a story, if not about aging, then about the loneliness that inevitably accompanies it.

Context

2009 Pulitzer Prize - and a whole bunch of other awards: Elizabeth Strout managed not only to find a new hero, but also to complete the more difficult task of telling the story of an inconvenient heroine with empathy.

Screen adaptation

Frances McDormand, who is starring in the HBO miniseries that will be released this fall, is not very suitable for the role of Kitteridge: in the novel we are repeatedly pointed out what a large, physically awkward body she has. By making the heroine miniature, television cut off the novel itself, turning it into a story about what happens to a marriage after children grow up - a line that turns out to be far from the main one in the novel.

Jojo Moyes "Me Before You"

What

A sad story of impossible love that sells very well.

Plot

A girl at a crossroads loses her job and gets a job as a nurse for a smart, handsome man who is completely paralyzed after an accident.

Context

The social rom-com genre, which Jojo Moyes invented with this novel and has been exploiting with might and main since then, is an undoubted success. Here, in general, it’s the same Jane Austen plus the problems of the first world in the 21st century. That is, the poor beautiful girls have nothing to pay for loans, Mr. Darcy also cries, in between there are many details of the hard life of the working class, laughter through tears, but still more tears. It's not required reading, just a good chick flick, but it proves that literature can be left-wing in a good way without being too smart.

Screen adaptation

Estimated release - August 2015. Sentimental prose of this kind, as a rule, in film adaptations becomes something moderately marginal: it reaches its strong one hundred million (three times the budget), after which everyone tries to forget it as an annoying misunderstanding. Without counting on anything in particular, the studio gave itself the freedom to play a little: it invited Thea Sharrock, known more for her theatrical work, to the director’s chair (this will be her debut in a feature film, but she, as they say, is widely known on Broadway, in particular to her we owe it to Daniel Radcliffe naked with a horse), and Emilia Clarke aka Khaleesi was called to play the main female role. And Sharrock seems determined not to knock tears out of the audience, but to show them the injustice of the British class system.