Ranking of the best books of classical literature for 2022

Classical literature will never go out of style. These are the best, most talented works of poetry, prose and dramaturgy, recognized as world masterpieces, considered to be the standard for their era. Currently, there is no need to borrow books from the library, any edition can be purchased at a regular book boutique or ordered directly from home in an online store. We offer a rating of the best books of Russian and foreign classical literature for 2022.

How to choose a book to read

Before buying, it is advisable to know what to look for in order to avoid mistakes when choosing literary classics, so that the reading process becomes a pleasant experience, the work is read to the end and leaves a mark on the soul for a long time.

Criterias of choice

It is appropriate to be guided by several parameters:

1. genre;
2. author;
3. design quality;
4. price.

Genre. All literary works of Russian and foreign classics belong to different genres in terms of content, the list of which includes:

• detective;
• comedy;
• Science fiction;
• ladies' novel;
• thriller.

It is advisable to take into account the genre when choosing a book so that the reading process is exciting and interesting. Then you can get the maximum pleasure from reading the work.

By form, classical works are divided into stories, ballads, essays, novellas, novels, and plays. Before purchasing a book, you should definitely study the annotation in order to understand whether this genre is interesting for you personally.

Author. Each poet, writer or playwright-classic has his own, incomparable with any other style. Because of this, we like the books of some authors, but the works of others are not accepted. At the same time, absolutely all the classics in the field of literature are recognizable and interesting. When choosing a book, you should study the features of the author's style in order to understand whether reading will be difficult or boring.

Design quality. Despite the ability to read any book online, traditional paper editions remain the most popular and attractive to the reader. Therefore, the quality of the design must be high. Several important parameters stand out:

• dimensions - those who are used to reading in transport, taking their favorite book with them in their purse or backpack, will definitely like miniature editions made in a reduced format;
• weight - when reading an open book, you have to hold it in your hands for a long time, so it is important that it weighs a little, without causing discomfort; it is good to buy books divided into separate volumes, or having a cover and binding made of lighter grades of paper;
• paper - the quality of the paper used is important for aesthetic reasons: pages made of white paper look beautiful, and the text on them is easier to read than on gray paper, density also matters, but from a practical point of view: thin offset paper can tear even with unsuccessful turning;
• printing ink - ardent book lovers are well aware that sometimes a sharp, unpleasant chemical smell comes from the pages, which can cause a headache and worsen the condition, fingers can also get dirty when turning the pages, which is also unpleasant. Large well-known publishing houses use only expensive high-quality paint, which has no fragrance, does not leave marks on the skin of the hands and is completely safe for health;
• cover - can be soft paper or glossy, hard paper. The latter option is preferable for those who appreciate the durability of the publication. The first is suitable for those who like to carry books in their purse, because in this case its weight will be much less. In gift, serial editions, a dust jacket is often used, which can be removed when reading. It makes the appearance of the tome presentable and solid. Also on the dust jacket is often printed brief information about the author and annotation.

Price. When choosing a book, it is appropriate to find out how much it costs in different stores: there are often discounts, sales, gift promotions. The price of publications varies from budget to premium, depending on the quality of paper and paint, the type of cover and binding, the prestige of the publisher, and the circulation. The main recommendation: you should not save money if you plan to use it for a long time and store the tome in your home library.

Rating of the best books of classical literature

We present the top books of Russian and foreign classical literature that you need to read in 2022.

Russians

L. Tolstoy War and Peace

The number of pages is 1360.
The average price is 658 rubles.
Publisher - AST.

One of the greatest works of world literature does not lose its relevance in 2022 thanks to the talented presentation of the domestic humanist writer, themes, and the interweaving of storylines. The epic novel, which involves more than 500 characters from all walks of life in Tsarist Russia, from the imperial family to ordinary soldiers, describes important world events related to the Patriotic War of 1812. The best work, according to readers, in which the psychology of the Russian people is accurately and truthfully presented. The book was republished in 2019 by a well-known Russian publishing house in the All in One volume series, the only inconvenience of which is its heavy weight - 1.2 kg. A beautiful hardcover edition on high-quality paper, with pictures and photographs of reproductions by Russian artists on the theme of the war with Napoleon, can be a wonderful gift.

• a masterpiece of Russian classics;
• deluxe edition;
• all four volumes in one book;
• with illustrations;
• affordable price;
• high quality paper;
• handy font.

• heavy weight.

M. Bulgakov Master and Margarita

The number of pages is 480.
The average price is 1038 rubles.
Publisher - Azbuka St. Petersburg.

In 2014, another reprint of the legendary mystical novel by the famous Russian writer was released. The deeply religious author was dissatisfied with the anti-religious order in the country, the renunciation of God, the demolition of churches. But, not being able to raise the issue openly, he covertly revealed this topic in the novel, which is still considered one of the most mysterious and controversial in Russian classical literature. On the example of characters from different eras and cultures, the negative result of disbelief is shown - dark forces haunt a person, betray temptations and vices. Only the path to God can purify and heal the soul. The book is issued in hardcover with a dust jacket, on white quality paper, with stunning illustrations by G. Kalinovsky. All this makes it a great gift, despite the high price and heavy weight - more than 1.2 kg.

• quality paper;
• Hard cover;
• glossy dust jacket;
• beautiful illustrations.

• expensive;
• heavy.

M. Tsvetaeva Poems

The number of pages is 320.
The average price is 450 rubles.
Publisher - Zvonnitsa-MG.

A collection of poems by the most popular Russian poetess of the 20th century, published in 2019. It includes the best poetic works of different years. Hardcover, good quality paper, convenient font make the edition an ideal gift option for fans of the author's work. The poems are written in the original style characteristic of the poetess, sometimes melodic and smooth, sometimes sharp and abrupt, but always equally talented and emotional.Each is a small fragment of real life, someone's fate, makes you feel those feelings that the author painfully exposes.

• Hard cover;
• convenient font;
• light in weight;
• complete collection.

• high price.

A. Pushkin Evgeny Onegin

The number of pages is 224.
The average price is 136 rubles.
Publisher - Eksmo.

In the popular Russian publishing house in the World Literature series, which contains works of world classics, in 2022 the most anticipated novelty was released in hardcover, made in the same antique style with woven embossing. The "Encyclopedia of Russian Life" was republished once again due to the huge popularity of the novel. A detailed description of the life of the nobility and the Russian hinterland, combined with love ups and downs and tragic events in the lives of the characters, is still relevant today, since the theme of honor and hypocrisy, true friendship and first love is touched upon. The author realistically describes the beauty of Russian nature, the hard work of the peasants against the backdrop of the idle, well-fed life of the nobles and landowners. Inexpensive for the price, the book will be a real gift for lovers of reading.

• beautiful appearance;
• gift wrapping;
• low cost;
• quality paper;
• illustrations.

• small font.

V.Krapivin Crane and lightning

The number of pages is 384.
The average price is 439 rubles.
Publisher - Enas-Kniga.

A novel for teenagers and their parents, recommended for reading by the whole family. The book is timeless, in which the author touches on the topic of honesty and hypocrisy, friendship and betrayal, moral choice, relationships between adults and children.The situations that the main character, 12-year-old boy Zhurka, finds himself in, help him learn to value his friends, distinguish between good and bad, and be true to himself and his word. Several fascinating storylines are intertwined in whimsical patterns of complex relationships between characters, the meaning of friendship and loyalty is revealed, which is useful for the development of a teenager's personality. An exciting, wise book will not leave the reader indifferent from the first lines, it will be read easily and quickly. Reissued in 2022 in hardcover, with black and white illustrations by the artist N. Panin.

The book can be purchased at many online stores:

• Read-city;
• Ozone;
• my-shop;
• wildberries.

In Chitai-Gorod, delivery of an order to the nearest Pyaterochka supermarket is free of charge.

• exciting plot;
• easy to read;
• hardcover;
• light weight;
• beautiful illustrations;
• affordable price;
• free delivery to Pyaterochka;
• available in many stores;
• for family reading.

• no.

Foreign

Stephen King Institute

The number of pages is 608.
The average price is 752 rubles.
Publisher - AST.

Despite the fact that the novel "King of Horrors" was published less than six months ago and does not abound with too scary, bloody or mystical scenes, it received a lot of positive reviews. Readers note not only an interesting plot, characteristic of the genre, but also an excellent translation, ease of reading, and an original cover. The publication is read in one breath, keeping you in suspense from the first to the last page, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in an exciting mystical story about the abduction and torture of children with psychic abilities.Together with the main character, 12-year-old boy Luke Ellis, you will live many chilling moments in a creepy boarding school where kidnapped children with superpowers are brought. A world view turned inside out reigns here, where cruelty and vices predominate. Drinking alcohol, smoking, humiliating and torturing others for no reason is not only allowed, but even recommended. And this order becomes really scary, although the novel cannot be attributed to horror films in the traditional sense of the word. The book will be of interest to teenagers and adults, from unpretentious readers to intellectuals.

• successful translation;
• quality design;
• handy font.

• high price.

Agatha Christie Ten Little Indians

The number of pages is 288.
The average price is 210 rubles.
Publishing house - Publishing house E.

The brilliant work of the detective queen is a real gift for fans of the genre. Over the years of reprinting, the novel has been published with a total circulation of more than 100 million copies. From the first lines, the intriguing creepy story of ten strangers gathered on the Negro Island keeps the reader in suspense. And a harmless children's rhyme becomes a terrible prophecy of the death of each guest. Until the last lines, it is absolutely incomprehensible who the mysterious ruthless killer is. The reader is in for a completely unexpected ending. The psychological problem of the ideal crime, the idea of ​​mandatory retribution and punishment of the offender, even if he is acquitted by the court, lies at the heart of the detective story. The book is sold in the Cult Classics series, in hardcover, which significantly extends the life of the book.

• exciting plot;
• Hard cover;
• a light weight;
• good paper quality;
• budget price.

• no illustrations.

Victor Hugo Les Misérables

The number of pages is 768.
The average price is 188 rubles.
Publisher - Azbuka St. Petersburg.

The fantastically twisted plot of the epic novel, reflecting the spiritual history of France in the 19th century, is relevant to this day. The struggle between good and evil in society and human souls touches on three themes of the bestseller, which are devoted to its parts:

• humiliation of men;
• the fall of women;
• oppression of children.

Heartbreaking, full of hardships and dangers, the story of the former convict Jean Valjean, who embarked on the path of correction and did a lot of good to others, the constant flight from the gendarmes, the rescue of little Cosette, who then grew up with her adoptive father within the walls of the monastery, numerous betrayals, surveillance, constant flight from skillfully placed traps, and the author's characteristic ending with tears in his eyes. Tension and empathy will not leave the reader while reading the novel. The book of the last year of publication 2019 was released in the Azbuka-Classic line. It is convenient to take it with you on the road and read in transport: it does not take up much space, it is light and compact thanks to its soft cover and small size. The only negative is the rapid loss of the beautiful appearance of the cover and soft cover: when turning over, it wears out and becomes unusable, the pages can come off at the bends.

• compact dimensions;
• a light weight;
• low cost;
• all parts in one volume;
• handy font.

• fast wear.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Little Prince

Number of pages - 112
Average price - 195 rubles
Publishing house — Eksmo

A well-known philosophical tale about love, friendship, kindness and fidelity, published in 2019 in hardcover with a convenient font and original illustrations by the author. The bestseller tells the story of a prince living on his own tiny planet, caring for a capricious rose, dreaming of finding new friends. To this end, he goes on a journey to other planets, where he meets adults who do not understand him. Once on planet Earth and meeting with the pilot, on behalf of whom the story is being told, he found understanding and warmth. The Little Prince also made friends with the Fox, who became his friend, and the Snake, who is able to return anyone to his planet, which he did at the end of the story, again flying away to the stars and his pampered rose. He took with him a box with a lamb in a muzzle from eating roses, drawn by a pilot who, as a child, knew how to draw drawings incomprehensible to adults. A naive parable about kindness and understanding will be of interest to everyone, regardless of age.

• beautiful design;
• read quickly;
• a light weight;
• convenient format;
• affordable price.

• no.

Margaret Mitchell Gone with the Wind

The number of pages is 1040.
The average price is 660 rubles.
Publisher - AST.

The world-famous bestseller, which received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in America, has been reprinted many times in separate volumes and in one book. This edition consists of several parts, united together, therefore it has an impressive size and heavy weight - about a kilogram. It’s hard to hold it in your hands, but otherwise there are no minuses.A heart-rending family saga, from reading which it is simply impossible to stop, makes you live with tears in your eyes, along with the main character of the novel - the magnificent and courageous Scarlett O'Hara, her life's vicissitudes and tragedies. The events unfold in the middle of the 19th century, during the Civil War. The main character in an instant turns from a young girl into a courageous woman, who has a huge amount of shocks, losses and difficulties. Piercing scenes, heartfelt experiences, contradictory actions, mistakes and losses - all this abounds in the novel. Along with the description of family life and love events, the work accurately conveys the spirit of the era, the theme of patriotism and courage. More than one generation of readers suffer and rejoice, cry and fight along with the incomparable Scarlett.

• beautiful design;
• quality paper;
• hardcover;
• all parts in one folio;
• affordable price.

• heavy.

The presented review of popular Russian and foreign classical literature will tell you which book is better to buy for an ordinary person, where to start acquaintance with the masterpieces of literary classics. The selection contains a summary, the average cost of the most popular books by the best authors. Which book is better to read - the choice is yours!