Preferred Books Among Russian Celebrities: "Successful individuals are those who immerse themselves in literature"
Russian Celebrities Embrace Classic Literature
In the world of literature, Russia stands out as one of the most avid reading nations, trailing only behind China [1]. This love for books is evident among Russian celebrities, who often find solace and inspiration in the pages of canonical works by Russian authors.
Alexander Adabashyan, a well-known figure in Russian entertainment, has a peculiar perspective on one such author, Anton Chekhov. Despite labelling all of Chekhov's plays as comedies and even classifying "The Cherry Orchard" as a farce, Adabashyan finds Chekhov to be exceptionally cruel [2]. This unique perspective, however, does not deter him from revisiting Chekhov's works, along with those of Tolstoy and Natalia Tufanova [3].
Ekaterina Andreyeva, a First Channel announcer, shares Adabashyan's love for reading but with a more diverse palate. Her collection includes works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, John Fowles, Donna Tartt, Verber, Zelanda, Yogananda, Bulgakov, Bunin, and Tolstoy, among others [1]. Andreyeva's interests extend beyond mainstream literature, delving into esotericism, philosophy, and more [1].
Actor Pedro Pascal, who hails from Spain, the third most book-loving country [2], has identified Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" as his favourite book [4]. This engagement with Russian literary classics is not unique among Spanish celebrities, as many find value in understanding Russian culture and history through its literature.
Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann and historian Orlando Figes highlight seminal Russian novels like Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" as culturally significant reads [1]. These works, along with Dostoevsky's "Brothers Karamazov" and Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina", continue to resonate with readers, exploring themes relevant to Russian society and human nature [3][1].
Despite their demanding careers, many Russian celebrities and intellectuals find ways to incorporate reading into their routines, valuing literature as a source of insight and reflection [1]. Actress Yulia Peresild, for instance, prefers to read during the summer months, with favourites including "Children of Mine" by Guzel Yakhina and "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov [5].
Oleg Menshikov, another prominent figure in Russian entertainment, has five important and beloved books: Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment", Vladimir Nabokov's "Invitation to a Beheading", Bulgakov's "Master and Margarita", "The William Shakespeare Game" by Ilya Gililov, and "Theater for People" by Giorgio Strehler [6]. Menshikov regrets not having the opportunity to play Woland in "Master and Margarita" [6].
Alexander Domogarov, People's Artist, has taken a volume of Bulgakov on vacation this year to reread "Theatrical Novel" [6].
In summary, Russian celebrities' reading preferences lean towards canonical Russian novels by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Turgenev. Despite time constraints, reading remains a valued activity for cultural engagement and personal growth [1][4].
Books continue to offer entertainment and inspiration for Russian celebrities, such as Alexander Adabashyan, who finds cruelty in the works of Anton Chekhov and still revisits them along with those of Tolstoy and Natalia Tufanova. Ekaterina Andreyeva, a First Channel announcer, has a diverse collection of books, including works by Russian authors like Chekhov and Tolstoy, as well as foreign authors such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Fowles.
