Sergey Dovlatov is a well-known Russian and American writer of the 20th and early 21st centuries Recently awarded a monument in the cultural capital of our country. And this is definitely deserved. His books are read all over the world, stories are set as an example, and notes are pulled into quotes. Sergey Dovlatov is full of subtle humor, sarcasm and irony. He could see the man from the inside, so his portraits turned out to be so realistic.
He lived a short but vibrant life (he died at 48). During this time, he was able to fall in love with a huge number of readers. His works began to be published in Russia shortly before his death, but in the USA he released a large number of collections. Many quotes have become iconic and are still in use today.
We suggest recalling the 10 best books by Sergei Dovlatov: a list of the most famous works with unique humor and an amazing writer style.
10. Notebooks
This collection includes two books, the first has been published several times, and the second was published shortly before the death of Dovlatov.
“Notebooks”This is not a full-fledged work or even small stories, these are the author’s notes that he made for himself and which were curious to him. Sometimes it’s just a couple of lines, and sometimes a whole paragraph. In any case, it is interesting to plunge into the thoughts of the author and understand what was close to him.
Often there are dialogues or descriptions of people of that time. Each note is like the story of a best friend over a cup of tea, it seems you can hear his laughter and feel sincere friendliness. A great option to get acquainted with the culture of that era. Probably, these books can be compared with modern Twitter, where everyone shares his short thought.
9. The splendor and poverty of Russian literature
This is a real textbook that is easy and hard to read. And even if you graduated from a good school, with wonderful teachers of literature, you should read “The splendor and poverty of Russian literature" Dovlatov talks about many famous and not very well-known writers and, as always, in his inimitable style of speech, literary about literature.
The book has a lot of personal, caustic and humorous. You will read about Pushkin and Tolstoy, Kafka and Hemingway. You will learn them from a new perspective, how they looked in everyday life.
8. Craft
Another biographical book of the author. In each line, he himself - sharp truth, caustic humor and sharp mind. You can dive from the first pages at that time, but by the end of the work it seems that the world is not changing. At the highest posts, all the same people, but human nature remains unshakable.
The story repeats itself and if someone doesn’t want to break his forehead against the rake that is familiar to everyone, then the book “Craft”Will be an excellent tool for life.
7. Life is short
The book is of category 18+ and contains foul language, however, like most of the works of this author. But this is the whole Dovlatov, it is with this attitude that one needs to relate to life in order to survive. His intellectual jokes can be read an infinite number of times.
Stories from the collection “Life is short”Have long been stolen into quotes. The writer is very truthful, therefore the portraits were not sugary, but honest. A great compilation to get started with a writer.
6. Branch
This book belongs to a series written abroad. They turned out to be incredibly positive and special. The author plunges us into a world that mixes reality and fantasy in one bottle.
“Branch”Attracts with its language and form of speech, the works became popular even before publication, as they began to exist in separate quotes and only then formed into a single whole. Reading letter by letter, you can literally hear the intonation of the writer. The reader does not just listen to the story, he seems to be conducting a dialogue with an old friend.
5. The reserve
After this work, many readers put Sergei Dovlatov in the list of favorite by the author, his style is unusual and hardly anyone can repeat it.
History "Reserve”Talks about the intelligent Boris, who gets a job at the Pushkin Museum. Here he strikes against Russian realities. The book contains truly Russian heroes with a wide soul and great hopes for life. But everyone has flaws and doubts, someone hides them behind a glass of something strong, and someone behind a desperate desire to become better.
The main character causes conflicting feelings, sometimes misunderstanding, sometimes anger, and sometimes sympathy. Critics still argue with whom the portrait of Boris was painted. Either it was Dovlatov himself, who once worked in Pushkin places, or the sullen Brodsky.
4. Foreigner
It is so simple, as if in a friendly manner, Sergei Dovlatov talks about difficulties in life. He presents stories with humor and the reader laughs at this point of view on serious things.
It will be about the people of the Land of Soviets that the system has worked on and now they have to adapt to the new regime. And they do it as anyone knows how.
A dynamic plot, interesting characters and a peculiar syllable will make you put on a book “Foreigner”On the shelf with your favorite works.
3. Compromise
Twelve compromises from real practice that will make you think and look at life from a different angle. “Compromise”Saturated with humor from cover to cover. Everyone who wants to laugh and at the same time think about why we live like this should definitely read. After this work, I do not want to let the author go, so many immediately start reading his other books.
Twelve short stories were written based on the journalistic experience of the writer. Each novella is preceded by a newspaper preamble. This preamble shows the result of the journalistic work of the hero of short stories, and in the short stories themselves - the process of work.
2. Our
Composition "OurCould be calledFamily album”And that name would also be perfect. Small sketches immerse the reader in Dovlatov’s surroundings. We meet his relatives, friends and even his beloved dog.
While reading, you involuntarily begin to delve into yourself and compare yourself with the heroes. It is good practice to improve the quality of life. Dovlatov says sad, but with a peppercorn of sarcasm and a bit of unusual humor.
The collection was written in the United States, five short stories were published in the famous American magazine, which glorified the writer, making him the most read in those days.
1. Suitcase
The story of Dovlatov and his “a suitcase" He came to New York and with him he only has luggage of memories of the Soviet Union. The keen eye of the writer penetrates directly into the soul of people and he draws accurate portraits on his page. Living language, without trying, tells simple stories about ordinary people. But how much sense they have!
One of the best collections of this author, all his best features are collected here. If you want to talk with a smart and wise person, be sure to start reading this book. Such a conversation will not leave anyone indifferent.
Most often, it is from this work that the acquaintance with the author begins, and then it is already impossible to leave some kind of book aside. I want to recognize and absorb as many of his thoughts as possible.