Russian literature is one of the most influential literary works in world history. It has had a major impact on Western culture, art, philosophy, science, politics, economics, and religion for centuries. The great writers from Russia have left an indelible mark on our society with their unique perspectives and styles that range from classical to contemporary.
The beginnings of Russian literature can be traced back to medieval times, when religious texts were written in Old Church Slavonic. During this time period, there was also a large amount of oral storytelling, which was used as entertainment by both the upper class and lower classes alike. This form of storytelling later developed into folk tales, which became popular throughout Russia during this period.
In the late 16th century, there was a shift towards secular writing where authors began using modern languages such as Church Slavonic or Old Believer's dialects instead of just relying on oral traditions alone. These early authors wrote about topics ranging from epic poems to comedies while exploring various aspects of life, such as love, death, war and morality, among other themes common at the time.
The 18th century saw another surge in literary activity with figures like Alexander Pushkin, who is considered one of the greatest poets ever born in Russia, along with his contemporaries Nikolai Karamzin and Ivan Krylov, who are widely respected within Russian circles even today due to their pioneering work within various genres including satire, poetry, prose fiction, drama, etc. Other important names include Fyodor Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment), Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace), Mikhail Lermontov (A Hero of Our Time), Anton Chekhov (Three Sisters), and many others who helped shape what we now recognize as classic pieces.
One thing that sets Russian literature apart is its strong focus on social issues, often highlighting them through powerful metaphors—something that's not seen very much elsewhere. In addition, it also includes elements from nature and landscape descriptions, giving readers insight into rural areas and thus providing more depth than just focusing solely on characters' inner lives without any context surrounding them. In addition, because narrative structure and deep psychological exploration have been given so much attention, these stories tend to give readers a richer overall experience than some Western counterparts, which might only focus on surface-level observations.
All-in-all, current-day Russian literature still remains hugely popular worldwide, thanks largely to its commitment to quality. From the classics mentioned above to newer works like Tatyana Tolstaya (The Slynx), Victor Pelevin (Generation P), and Vladimir Sorokin (The Ice Trilogy), all showcase diversity and talent.