Short stories by Russian classics about love. The shortest and most interesting stories in the world (1 photo)

Can short stories about love reflect all the faces of this versatile feeling? After all, if you look closely at trembling experiences, you can notice tender love, serious mature relationships, destructive passion, selfless and unrequited attraction. Many classics and modern writers turn to the eternal, but still not fully understood theme of love. It’s not even worth listing the huge works that describe this exciting feeling. Both domestic and foreign authors intended to show the quivering beginning not only in novels or stories, but also in small stories about love.

Variety of love stories

Can love be measured? After all, it can be different - to a girl, mother, child, native land. Many little stories about love teach not only young lovers, but also children and their parents to express their feelings. Anyone who loves, has loved, or wants to love, would do well to read Sam McBratney's very touching story "Do You Know How Much I Love You?" Just one page of text, but so much sense! This little love story of a bunny teaches about the importance of admitting your feelings.

And how much value there is in a few pages of Henri Barbusse’s story “Tenderness”! The author shows great love, causing boundless tenderness in the heroine. He and She loved each other, but fate cruelly separated them, since She was much older. Her love is so strong that the woman promises to write letters to him after breaking up so that her loved one will not suffer so much. These letters became the only connecting thread between them for 20 years. They were the embodiment of love and tenderness, giving strength to life.

In total, the heroine wrote four letters, which her beloved received periodically. The ending of the story is very tragic: in the last letter, Louis learns that She committed suicide on the second day after breaking up, and wrote these letters to him with a view to 20 years in advance. The reader does not need to take the heroine’s action as a model; Barbusse simply wanted to show that it is important for a selflessly loving person to know that his feelings continue to live.

Different sides of love are shown in R. Kipling's story "Arrows of Cupid" and in Leonid Andreev's work "Herman and Martha." The story of Anatoly Aleksin’s first love, “Home Essay,” is dedicated to his youthful experiences. A 10th grade student is in love with his classmate. This is the story of how the hero’s tender feelings were cut short by the war.

The moral beauty of lovers in O. Henry's story "The Gift of the Magi"

This story by a famous author is about pure love, which is characterized by self-sacrifice. The plot revolves around a poor married couple, Jim and Della. Although they are poor, they try to give each other nice gifts at Christmas. To give her husband a worthy gift, Della sells her gorgeous hair, and Jim traded his favorite valuable watch for a gift.

What did O. Henry want to show with such actions of the heroes? Both spouses wanted to do everything to make their loved one happy. The true gift for them is devoted love. Having sold things dear to their hearts, the heroes did not lose anything, because they still had the most important thing - priceless love for each other.

A woman's confession in Stefan Zweig's story "Letter from a Stranger"

The famous Austrian writer Stefan Zweig also wrote long and short stories about love. One of them is the essay “Letter from a Stranger.” This creation is imbued with sadness, because the heroine loved a man all her life, but he didn’t even remember her face or name. The stranger expressed all her tender feelings in her letters. Zweig wanted to show readers that real selfless and sublime feelings exist, and you need to believe in them so that they do not become a tragedy for someone.

O. Wilde about the beauty of the inner world in the fairy tale “The Nightingale and the Rose”

A short story about O. Wilde’s love “The Nightingale and the Rose” has a very complex idea. This fairy tale teaches people to value love, because without it there is no point in living in the world. The Nightingale became the spokesman for tender feelings. For their sake, he sacrificed his life and his singing. It is important to find out love correctly, so as not to lose a lot later.

Wilde also argues that you don’t need to love a person just for their beauty, it is important to look into his soul: perhaps he only loves himself. Appearance and money are not the most important thing, the main thing is spiritual wealth, inner peace. If you only think about appearance, it can end badly.

Trilogy of Chekhov's stories "About Love"

Three small stories formed the basis of A.P. Chekhov's "Little History". They are told by friends to each other while hunting. One of them, Alyohin, spoke about his love for a married lady. The hero was very attracted to her, but was afraid to admit it. The characters' feelings were mutual, but not revealed. One day, Alyohin finally decided to confess his affection, but it was too late - the heroine left.

Chekhov makes it clear that you don’t need to close yourself off from your real feelings, it’s better to have courage and give free rein to your emotions. He who encloses himself in a case loses his happiness. The heroes of this short story about love themselves killed love, sank to base feelings and doomed themselves to misfortune.

The heroes of the trilogy realized their mistakes and are trying to move on; they do not give up, but move forward. Perhaps they will still have a chance to save their souls.

Kuprin's love stories

Sacrificial love, giving all of oneself without reserve to a loved one, is inherent in Kuprin’s stories. So Alexander Ivanovich wrote a very sensual story “The Lilac Bush”. The main character of the story, Verochka, always helps her husband, a design student, with his studies so that he receives a diploma. She does all this in order to see him happy.

One day Almazov was making a drawing of the area for a test and accidentally made an ink. In place of this blot he drew a bush. Verochka found a way out of this situation: she found money, bought a lilac bush and planted it overnight in the place where the blot appeared on the drawing. The professor checking the work was very surprised by this incident, because before there was no bush there. The test was submitted.

Verochka is very rich spiritually and mentally, and her husband is a weak, narrow-minded and pathetic person compared to her. Kuprin shows the problem of unequal marriage in terms of spiritual and mental development.

Bunin's "Dark Alleys"

What should short love stories be like? The small works of Ivan Bunin answer this question. The author wrote a whole series of short stories under the same name with one of the stories - “Dark Alleys”. All these little creations are connected by one theme - love. The author presents the reader with the tragic and even catastrophic nature of love.

The collection "Dark Alleys" is also called the encyclopedia of love. Bunin in it shows the contact of two from different sides. In the book you can see a gallery of female portraits. Among them you can see young women, matured girls, respectable ladies, peasant women, prostitutes, and models. Each story from this collection has its own shade of love.

Only true experts on the human soul can create short stories about love. It is not so easy to depict deep-seated experiences in a work of short prose. The Russian classic Ivan Bunin did an excellent job with this. Ivan Turgenev, Alexander Kuprin, Leonid Andreev and other writers also created interesting short stories about love. In this article we will look at authors of foreign and domestic literature, whose works contain small lyrical works.

Ivan Bunin

Short stories about love... What should they be? In order to understand this, you need to read Bunin's works. This writer is an unsurpassed master of sentimental prose. His works are examples of this genre. The famous collection “Dark Alleys” includes thirty-eight romantic stories. In each of them, the author not only revealed the deep experiences of his characters, but was also able to convey how powerful love is. After all, this feeling can change a person’s destiny.

Such short stories about love as “Caucasus”, “Dark Alleys”, “Late Hour” can tell more about a great feeling than hundreds of sentimental novels.

Leonid Andreev

Love for all ages. Talented writers dedicated short stories about love not only to the pure feelings of young people. For an essay on this topic, which is sometimes asked at school, the material can be the work of Leonid Andreev “Herman and Martha”, the main characters of which are extremely far from the age of Romeo and Juliet. The action of this story takes place in one of the cities of the Leningrad region at the beginning of the century. Then the place where the tragic event described by the Russian writer took place belonged to Finland. According to the laws of this country, people who have reached the age of fifty can marry only with the permission of their children.

The love story of Herman and Martha was sad. The closest people in their lives did not want to understand the feelings of two middle-aged people. The heroes of Andreev’s story could not be together, and therefore the story ended tragically.

Vasily Shukshin

Short stories about, if they are created by a real artist, are especially heartfelt. After all, there is nothing stronger in the world than the feeling that a woman experiences for her child. Screenwriter and director Vasily Shukshin told about this with sad irony in the story “A Mother’s Heart.”

The main character of this work is in trouble through his own fault. But the mother’s heart, although wise, does not recognize any logic. A woman overcomes unimaginable obstacles to free her son from prison. “A Mother’s Heart” is one of the most heartfelt works of Russian prose dedicated to love.

Lyudmila Kulikova

Another work about the most powerful feeling is the story “We Met.” Lyudmila Kulikova dedicated it to the love of her mother, whose life ends after the betrayal of her only beloved son. This woman breathes, talks, smiles. But she no longer lives. After all, the son, who was the meaning of her life, did not make himself known for more than twenty years. Kulikova's story is heartfelt, sad and very instructive. Mother's love is the brightest thing a person can have. To betray her would be to commit the greatest sin.

Anatoly Aleksin

A short story called “Homemade Essay” is dedicated to both maternal and youthful love. One day, Aleksin’s hero, the boy Dima, discovers a letter in an old thick encyclopedia. The message was written many years ago, and its author is no longer alive. He was a tenth grade student, and the addressee was a classmate with whom he was in love. But the letter remained unanswered, because the war came. The author of the letter died without sending it. The girl for whom the romantic lines were intended graduated from school, college, and got married. Her life went on. The mother of the author of this letter stopped smiling forever. After all, it is impossible to survive your child.

Stefan Zweig

The famous Austrian prose writer also created long and short stories about love. One of these works is called “Letter from a Stranger.” When you read the confession of the heroine of this short story, who all her life loved a man who did not remember her face or name, you become very sad. But at the same time, there is hope that a real sublime and selfless feeling still exists, and is not just an artistic invention of a talented writer.

… About ten years ago I stayed at the Monument Hotel, intending to spend the night waiting for a train. I sat alone by the fire with a newspaper and coffee after dinner; it was a snowy, dead evening; The blizzard, interrupting the draft, threw clouds of smoke into the hall every minute.
Outside the windows, the creaking of a sleigh, the clatter of a sleigh, the cracking of a whip were heard, and behind the door that opened, darkness opened up, full of disappearing snowflakes;
A small group of travelers, covered in snow, entered the hall. While they dusted themselves off, gave orders and sat down at the table, I looked closely at the only woman in this group: a young woman of about twenty-three. She seemed to be deeply distracted. None of her movements were directed towards natural goals in this position:
look around, wipe your face wet from snow, take off your fur coat, hat; not showing even signs of the animation inherent in a person emerging from a snowstorm into the light and warmth of a home, she sat down, as if lifeless, on the nearest chair, now lowering her surprised eyes of rare beauty, now directing them into space, with an expression of childish bewilderment and sadness. Suddenly a blissful smile lit up her face - a smile of amazing joy, and as if jolted, I looked around, looking in vain for the reasons for the lady’s sudden transition from thoughtfulness to delight.…

01. Vasily Avseenko. On pancakes (read by Yuliy Fayt)
02. Vasily Avseenko. On New Year's Eve (read by Vladimir Antonik)
03. Alexander Amfitheatrov. Fellow traveler (read by Alexander Kuritsyn)
04. Vladimir Arsenyev. Night in the taiga (read by Dmitry Buzhinsky)
05. Andrey Bely. We are waiting for his return (read by Vladimir Golitsyn)
06. Valery Bryusov. In the tower (read by Sergei Kazakov)
07. Valery Bryusov. Marble head (read by Pavel Konyshev)
08. Mikhail Bulgakov. In the cafe (read by Vladimir Antonik)
09. Vikenty Veresaev. In the wilderness (read by Sergei Danilevich)
10. Vikenty Veresaev. In a hurry (read by Vladimir Levashev)
11. Vikenty Veresaev. Marya Petrovna (read by Stanislav Fedosov)
12. Vsevolod Garshin. A very short novel (read by Sergei Oleksyak)
13. Nikolai Heinze. The powerlessness of art (read by Stanislav Fedosov)
14. Vladimir Gilyarovsky. Uncle (read by Sergei Kazakov)
15. Vladimir Gilyarovsky. Sea (read by Sergey Kazakov)
16. Petr Gnedich. Father (read by Alexander Kuritsyn)
17. Maxim Gorky. Mother Kemskikh (read by Sergey Oleksyak)
18. Alexander Green. Enemies (read by Sergey Oleksyak)
19. Alexander Green. Terrible vision (read by Egor Serov)
20. Nikolay Gumilyov. Princess Zara (read by Sergey Karyakin)
21. Vladimir Dal. Talk. (read by Vladimir Levashev)
22. Don Aminado. Notes of an Undesirable Foreigner (read by Andrey Kurnosov)
23. Sergei Yesenin. Bobyl and Druzhok (read by Vladimir Antonik)
24. Sergey Yesenin. Red-hot chervonets (read by Vladimir Antonik)
25. Sergei Yesenin. Nikolin ground (read by Vladimir Antonik)
26. Sergey Yesenin. The Thief's Candle (read by Vladimir Antonik)
27. Sergey Yesenin. By the white water (read by Vladimir Antonik)
28. Georgy Ivanov. Carmensita (read by Nikolai Kovbas)
29. Sergey Klychkov. The Gray Master (read by Andrey Kurnosov)
30. Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak. Medvedko (read by Ilya Prudovsky)
31. Vladimir Nabokov. A Christmas story (read by Mikhail Yanushkevich)
32. Mikhail Osorgin. Clock (read by Kirill Kovbas)
33. Anthony Pogorelsky. Visitor to the Magician (read by Mikhail Yanushkevich)
34. Mikhail Prishvin. Lisichkin bread (read by Stanislav Fedosov)
35. Georgy Severtsev-Polilov. On Christmas night (read by Marina Livanova)
36. Fedor Sologub. White Dog (read by Alexander Karlov)
37. Fedor Sologub. Lelka (read by Egor Serov)
38. Konstantin Stanyukovich. Christmas tree (read by Vladimir Levashev)
39. Konstantin Stanyukovich. One moment (read by Stanislav Fedosov)
40. Ivan Turgenev. Drozd (read by Egor Serov)
41. Sasha Cherny. The Soldier and the Mermaid (read by Ilya Prudovsky)
42. Alexander Chekhov. Something is over (read by Vadim Kolganov)

1. Hemingway once bet that he would write a story consisting of only four words that could touch any reader. He won the argument: “Children’s shoes are for sale. Unworn"

2. Frederick Brown penned the shortest horror story ever written: “The last man on earth was sitting in a room. There was a knock on the door..."

3. O. Henry won the competition for the shortest story, which has all the components of a traditional story - a beginning, climax and denouement: “The driver lit a cigarette and bent over the gas tank to see how much gasoline was left. The deceased was twenty-three years old."

4. The British also organized a competition for the shortest story. But according to the terms of the competition, the queen, God, sex, and mystery must be mentioned in it. First place was awarded to the author of the following story: “Oh, God,” exclaimed the queen, “I’m pregnant, and I don’t know from whom!”

5. An elderly French woman won the competition for the shortest autobiography and wrote: “I used to have a smooth face and a wrinkled skirt, but now it’s the other way around.”

6. I woke up with severe pain throughout my body. I opened my eyes and saw a nurse standing by my bed.
“Mr. Fujima,” she said, “you were lucky to survive the bombing of Hiroshima two days ago.” But now you are in the hospital, you are no longer in danger.
A little alive from weakness, I asked:
- Where I am?
“To Nagasaki,” she answered.
© Alan E. Mayer “Bad Luck”

7. Ever since Rita was brutally murdered, Carter has been sitting by the window. No TV, reading, correspondence. His life is what is seen through the curtains. He doesn't care who brings the food, who pays the bills, he doesn't leave the room. His life is passing athletes, the change of seasons, passing cars, the ghost of Rita.
Carter doesn't realize that the felt-lined chambers have no windows.
© Jane Orvis “Window”

8. Starlight Night. It's the right time. Romantic dinner. Cozy Italian restaurant. Little black dress. Luxurious hair, sparkling eyes, silvery laughter. We've been together for two years. Wonderful time! True love, best friend, no one else. Champagne! I offer my hand and heart. On one knee. Are people watching? Well, let! Beautiful diamond ring. Blush on the cheeks, charming smile.
How not?!
© Larisa Kirkland “The Proposal”

9. A classic example of Spartan laconicism comes from a letter from King Philip II of Macedonia, who had conquered many Greek cities: “I advise you to surrender immediately, because if my army enters your lands, I will destroy your gardens, enslave your people and destroy your city.” To this the Spartan ephors responded with one word: “If.”

10. As soon as this happened, I hurried home to tell my wife the sad news. But she didn't seem to listen to me at all. She didn't notice me at all. She looked right through me and poured herself a drink. She turned on the TV. At that moment the phone rang. She walked over and picked up the phone. I saw her face wrinkle. She cried bitterly.
© Charles Enright "Ghost"

11. Finally, in this remote, secluded village, his search ended. Truth sat in a dilapidated hut by the fire.
He had never seen an older, uglier woman.
- You - Really?
The old, wizened hag nodded solemnly.
- Tell me, what should I tell the world? What message to convey?
The old woman spat into the fire and answered:
- Tell them that I am young and beautiful!
© Robert Tompkins “In Search of Truth”

(estimates: 42 , average: 4,21 out of 5)

In Russia, literature has its own direction, different from any other. The Russian soul is mysterious and incomprehensible. The genre reflects both Europe and Asia, which is why the best classical Russian works are extraordinary, striking in their soulfulness and vitality.

The main character is the soul. For a person, his position in society, the amount of money is not important, it is important for him to find himself and his place in this life, to find the truth and peace of mind.

The books of Russian literature are united by the features of a writer who has the gift of the great Word, who has completely devoted himself to this art of literature. The best classics saw life not flatly, but multifacetedly. They wrote about life not of random destinies, but of those expressing existence in its most unique manifestations.

Russian classics are so different, with different destinies, but what unites them is that literature is recognized as a school of life, a way of studying and developing Russia.

Russian classical literature was created by the best writers from different parts of Russia. It is very important where the author was born, because this determines his formation as a person, his development, and it also affects his writing skills. Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky were born in Moscow, Chernyshevsky in Saratov, Shchedrin in Tver. Poltava region in Ukraine is the birthplace of Gogol, Podolsk province - Nekrasov, Taganrog - Chekhov.

The three great classics, Tolstoy, Turgenev and Dostoevsky, were completely different people from each other, had different destinies, complex characters and great talents. They made a huge contribution to the development of literature, writing their best works, which still excite the hearts and souls of readers. Everyone should read these books.

Another important difference between the books of Russian classics is that they ridicule the shortcomings of a person and his way of life. Satire and humor are the main features of the works. However, many critics said that this was all slander. And only true connoisseurs saw how the characters are both comical and tragic at the same time. Such books always touch the soul.

Here you can find the best works of classical literature. You can download books of Russian classics for free or read them online, which is very convenient.

We present to your attention the 100 best books of Russian classics. The full list of books includes the best and most memorable works of Russian writers. This literature is known to everyone and is recognized by critics from all over the world.

Of course, our list of top 100 books is just a small part that brings together the best works of the great classics. It can be continued for a very long time.

A hundred books that everyone should read in order to understand not only how they used to live, what were the values, traditions, priorities in life, what they were striving for, but to find out in general how our world works, how bright and pure the soul can be and how valuable it is for a person, for the development of his personality.

The top 100 list includes the best and most famous works of Russian classics. The plot of many of them is known from school. However, some books are difficult to understand at a young age and require wisdom that is acquired over the years.

Of course, the list is far from complete; it can be continued endlessly. Reading such literature is a pleasure. She doesn’t just teach something, she radically changes lives, helps us understand simple things that we sometimes don’t even notice.

We hope you liked our list of classic books of Russian literature. You may have already read some of it, and some not. A great reason to make your own personal list of books, your top ones that you would like to read.