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Classics of Russian Literature

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Classics of Russian Literature

By: The Great Courses, Irwin Weil
Narrated by: Irwin Weil
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About this listen

Russian literature famously probes the depths of the human soul, and in this series of 36 insightful lectures prepared by a frequently honored teacher legendary among educators in both the United States and Russia - you probe just as deeply into the extraordinary legacy that is Russian Literature itself.

Professor Weil introduces you to masterpieces such as Tolstoy's War and Peace, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Pushkin's Eugene Onegin, Gogol's Dead Souls, Chekhov's The Seagull, Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, and many other great novels, stories, plays, and poems.

In all, you plunge into more than 40 works by a dozen writers, from Aleksandr Pushkin in the 19th century to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the 20th century. You also investigate the origin of Russian literature itself, which traces its lineage back to powerful epic poetry and beautiful renderings of the Bible into Slavic during the Middle Ages.

All of these works are treated in translation, but Professor Weil does something very unusual in the literature-in-translation arena. For almost every passage that he quotes in English, he reads an extract in the original Russian, with a fluent accent and an actor's sense of drama.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great Courses
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What listeners say about Classics of Russian Literature

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Brilliant Lectures, very Accessible to a layperson

I didn't know very much about the subject, having read only 2 or 3 of the books discussed (in English translation). I would like to read more now.
Excellent for improving your general knowledge.
Very engaging and enjoyable content and the speaker has a good voice. His deep love and appreciation of Russian literature is evident in each lecture.

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Wonderful!

I enjoyed these lectures so very much. I had already read many of the works and so it pulled together a number of loose ends. The passion and love Weil has for the subject shines through and makes you live it too. I don't speak Russian but loved his reading and translation. When he sings it just puts these lectures to another level.

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Classics of Russian Literature

Having read a fair bit of Russian literature, these lectures have been incredibly insightful into the cultural background and lives of the authors who created such works.

Professor Weil is clearly very passionate about the topic, and presents the lectures in an entertaining and informative style. He also presents many readings in Russian (to display rhythm of, for example, Pushkin's poetry) before giving the English translation

Definitely recommended for fans of the great Russian writers.

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12 people found this helpful

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A Classic Course

Once you make it past the introductory lecture, the series gathers pace and becomes thoroughly engaging. By the end, you will be entranced.

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Wonderful, Beautiful, Extraordinary

Every lecture is fascinating and beautifully delivered with huge heart and humanity. Amazing achievement, I listened to many of the lectures twice and will revisit the whole series again I am sure.

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Super!

If you could sum up Classics of Russian Literature in three words, what would they be?

Very impressed by this overview of Russian literature. Not only the content of these lectures, but I love Irwin Weil's enthusiasm which is immediately apparent and can't help but draw you in. Great stuff!!

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10 people found this helpful

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My favourite audiobook of all time

I have been a member of Audible Books for about 15 years and have listened to very many really wonderful books which I have enjoyed immensely. The Classics of Russian Literature course has by far, been the most enjoyable.
Irwin Weil not only knows his subject inside and out, but he has that rare talent - the art of imparting his knowledge in a way that is accessible to every audience without talking down to it. The Russian language and Russian literature are obviously deep passions within him and he shares them with great affection and warmth.
I don’t believe that I missed a word of what he said, such was the totally enchanting manner in which he delivered his lectures. He enriched every book he spoke about so that I felt able to revisit the ones I had read and find so much more in them than I had found upon first reading.
For anyone who is passionate about Russian literature – and history – I cannot recommend this series of lectures more highly.

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3 people found this helpful

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A useful and inspiring overview

I enjoyed this overview of classic Russian literature. It helped me understand the timeline and context of the authors and their works, as well as what each of them bought to literature. It also helped me compile a reading list of the books I haven’t yet read.

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Brilliantly narrated. Beautiful subject.

For the lovers of Russian literature this is obligatory course. Narrator is passionate and funny.

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Great, informative, entertaining!

I loved listening to this course. The lecturer’s passion and love for the subject came through and made it really enjoyable.

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