-
Classics of Russian Literature
- Narrated by: Irwin Weil
- Series: The Great Courses: Western Literature
- Length: 17 hrs and 29 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $41.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Greek Tragedy
- By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Greek tragedy was a dramatic form that flourished for less than a full century. And yet it remains vibrant, alive, and productive today. And the form's masterpieces help us-as perhaps they helped their original audiences-grasp a fuller sense of the terror and wonder of life. Professor Vandiver has designed these 24 rich and rewarding lectures to give you a full overview of Greek tragedy, both in its original setting and as a lasting contribution to the artistic exploration of the human condition.
-
-
Theatre History Done Right!
- By Joshua on 10-19-13
By: Elizabeth Vandiver, and others
-
How to Read and Understand Shakespeare
- By: Marc C. Conner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Marc C. Conner
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare's works are among the greatest of humanity's cultural expressions and, as such, demand to be experienced and understood. But, simply put, Shakespeare is difficult. His language and culture - those of Elizabethan England - are greatly different from our own, and his poetry, thick with metaphorical imagery and double meanings, can be hard to penetrate.
-
-
To Listen or Not to Listen…
- By Ark1836 on 10-13-15
By: Marc C. Conner, and others
-
The Art of Reading
- By: Timothy Spurgin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Timothy Spurgin
- Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Artful reading-the way we read novels and short stories-is less about reading for specific information and more about reading to revel in the literary experience. Learning the skills and techniques of artful reading can improve your life in many ways, whether you're a fiction reader, an aspiring writer, a book club member, or a student.And the best part: These skills are not difficult or unwieldy; rather, they are well within your reach.
-
-
Practical for Readers and Writers
- By Troy on 08-14-15
By: Timothy Spurgin, and others
-
Books that Matter: The Prince
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: William Landon
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Should leaders be feared or loved? Can dictators give rise to democracy? Should rulers have morals or wear them like a mask? Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince puts forth unsettling questions like these, whose answers redefined centuries of political wisdom. But what does it really mean to be Machiavellian? These 24 lectures are more than just a close reading of one of the great books of Western history.
-
-
Excellent Context
- By Ben Hutton on 01-09-18
By: William Landon, and others
-
The History and Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age
- By: Eamonn Gearon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Eamonn Gearon
- Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The study of Western Civilization traditionally follows a well-known but incomplete arc: the grand achievements of Greece and Rome, several hundred years of the Dark Ages, and then the bright emergence of the European Renaissance. But amid the "dark" Middle Ages, the Abbasid Empire, which ruled the Middle East as well as much of Northern Africa and Central Asia from 750 to 1258, serves as a vitally important but often overlooked bridge between the ancient and modern worlds.
-
-
You gotta get smart to see how dumb you are”.
- By Richard on 08-08-17
By: Eamonn Gearon, and others
-
Heroes and Legends
- The Most Influential Characters of Literature
- By: Thomas A. Shippey, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas A. Shippey
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Odysseus. Robinson Crusoe. Harry Potter. What do these memorable characters have in common? Why do we turn to certain stories again and again? And what impact have they made on world history? These 24 eye-opening lectures give fresh insight into some of the greatest heroes in world literature, from warriors such as Beowulf and Odysseus to unexpected heroes such as Uncle Tom and Sancho Panza. Professor Shippey gives you an inside glimpse into the writer's process.
-
-
Entertaining Look at Western Literary Characters
- By Teri-K on 10-11-14
By: Thomas A. Shippey, and others
-
Greek Tragedy
- By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Greek tragedy was a dramatic form that flourished for less than a full century. And yet it remains vibrant, alive, and productive today. And the form's masterpieces help us-as perhaps they helped their original audiences-grasp a fuller sense of the terror and wonder of life. Professor Vandiver has designed these 24 rich and rewarding lectures to give you a full overview of Greek tragedy, both in its original setting and as a lasting contribution to the artistic exploration of the human condition.
-
-
Theatre History Done Right!
- By Joshua on 10-19-13
By: Elizabeth Vandiver, and others
-
How to Read and Understand Shakespeare
- By: Marc C. Conner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Marc C. Conner
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare's works are among the greatest of humanity's cultural expressions and, as such, demand to be experienced and understood. But, simply put, Shakespeare is difficult. His language and culture - those of Elizabethan England - are greatly different from our own, and his poetry, thick with metaphorical imagery and double meanings, can be hard to penetrate.
-
-
To Listen or Not to Listen…
- By Ark1836 on 10-13-15
By: Marc C. Conner, and others
-
The Art of Reading
- By: Timothy Spurgin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Timothy Spurgin
- Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Artful reading-the way we read novels and short stories-is less about reading for specific information and more about reading to revel in the literary experience. Learning the skills and techniques of artful reading can improve your life in many ways, whether you're a fiction reader, an aspiring writer, a book club member, or a student.And the best part: These skills are not difficult or unwieldy; rather, they are well within your reach.
-
-
Practical for Readers and Writers
- By Troy on 08-14-15
By: Timothy Spurgin, and others
-
Books that Matter: The Prince
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: William Landon
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Should leaders be feared or loved? Can dictators give rise to democracy? Should rulers have morals or wear them like a mask? Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince puts forth unsettling questions like these, whose answers redefined centuries of political wisdom. But what does it really mean to be Machiavellian? These 24 lectures are more than just a close reading of one of the great books of Western history.
-
-
Excellent Context
- By Ben Hutton on 01-09-18
By: William Landon, and others
-
The History and Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age
- By: Eamonn Gearon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Eamonn Gearon
- Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The study of Western Civilization traditionally follows a well-known but incomplete arc: the grand achievements of Greece and Rome, several hundred years of the Dark Ages, and then the bright emergence of the European Renaissance. But amid the "dark" Middle Ages, the Abbasid Empire, which ruled the Middle East as well as much of Northern Africa and Central Asia from 750 to 1258, serves as a vitally important but often overlooked bridge between the ancient and modern worlds.
-
-
You gotta get smart to see how dumb you are”.
- By Richard on 08-08-17
By: Eamonn Gearon, and others
-
Heroes and Legends
- The Most Influential Characters of Literature
- By: Thomas A. Shippey, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas A. Shippey
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Odysseus. Robinson Crusoe. Harry Potter. What do these memorable characters have in common? Why do we turn to certain stories again and again? And what impact have they made on world history? These 24 eye-opening lectures give fresh insight into some of the greatest heroes in world literature, from warriors such as Beowulf and Odysseus to unexpected heroes such as Uncle Tom and Sancho Panza. Professor Shippey gives you an inside glimpse into the writer's process.
-
-
Entertaining Look at Western Literary Characters
- By Teri-K on 10-11-14
By: Thomas A. Shippey, and others
-
Foundations of Eastern Civilization
- By: Craig G. Benjamin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Craig G. Benjamin
- Length: 23 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
China. Korea. Japan. Southeast Asia. How did Eastern civilization develop? What do we know about the history, politics, governments, art, science, and technology of these countries? And how does the story of Eastern civilization play out in today's world of business, politics, and international exchange?
-
-
A worthwhile "big-history" survey
- By Acteon on 11-22-13
By: Craig G. Benjamin, and others
-
Plato's Republic
- By: The Great Courses, David Roochnik
- Narrated by: Professor David Roochnik Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
More than 2,000 years later, Plato's Republic remains astonishingly relevant to our everyday lives. It poses one question after another that might well have been drawn from the headlines and debates of our nation's recent history: What sort of person should rule the state? Are all citizens equal before the law? Should everyone have equal access to health care? Plato's greater inquiry, however, was into the question of defining justice itself and the reasons why a person would choose a life aligned with that virtue.
-
-
This book should have a different title
- By Erol Lale on 01-23-20
By: The Great Courses, and others
-
The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes
- By: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The word "barbarian" quickly conjures images of Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. Yet few people realize these men belong to a succession of nomadic warriors who emerged from the Eurasian steppes to conquer civilizations. It's a part of ancient and medieval history that's often overlooked, but for an accurate view of how the world evolved, it's essential. Covering some 6,000 miles and 6,000 years, this eye-opening course illuminates how a series of groups pushed ever westward, coming into contact with the Roman Empire, Han China, and distant cultures from Iraq to India.
-
-
More than You Ever Wanted to Know re Steppe Nomads
- By Christopher on 09-25-14
By: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues
- By: Michael Sugrue, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Michael Sugrue
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 16 lectures bring the Socratic quest for truth alive and explore ideas that are as vital today as they were 25 centuries ago. Ideas about truth, justice, love, beauty, courage, and wisdom that can change lives and reveal the world in new ways. Here, you'll delve into the inner structure, action, and meaning of 17 of Plato's greatest dialogues, making these lectures an indispensable companion for anyone interested in philosophy in general or Platonic thought in particular.
-
-
Easily the best audiobook in my collection
- By ADRIAN on 02-03-14
By: Michael Sugrue, and others
-
Understanding Imperial China: Dynasties, Life, and Culture
- By: Andrew R. Wilson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: The Great Courses
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A knowledge of China's imperial history is vital for any understanding of its present, as modern China is linked in many ways to the extraordinary culture of its empire. These 24 lectures take you to the heart of life during China's imperial era, through the lives of individual subjects of all social ranks. Across the arc of the course, you'll witness what daily life was like for government bureaucrats, for scholars, for women of the court, for soldiers, merchants, craftspeople, courtesans, imperial cooks, and many others.
-
-
Imperial China: very well done!
- By victorluis on 12-06-17
By: Andrew R. Wilson, and others
-
The History of the English Language, 2nd Edition
- By: Seth Lerer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Seth Lerer
- Length: 18 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This course offers an overview of the English language that is literary, historical, cultural, political, and scientific in its scope and designed to give you greater insight into the written and spoken word.The lectures provide a thorough understanding of the history of the English language - from its origins as a dialect of the Germanic-speaking peoples through the literary and cultural documents of its 1,500-year span to the state of American speech today.
-
-
Sparkling
- By Amazon Customer on 02-26-15
By: Seth Lerer, and others
-
The Operas of Mozart
- By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Greenberg
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in 1791 at the age of just 35, he nonetheless left behind the defining composition in every available musical genre of his time: symphony, chamber music, masses, and above all - opera. Opera was the prestige genre of the era, and the thought of it, Mozart wrote, made him, "beside myself at once." It was a form he loved dearly, depending on it heavily for personal, professional, artistic, and financial reasons of the greatest weight.
-
-
One of the best values on Audible!
- By Doggy Bird on 04-06-14
By: Robert Greenberg, and others
-
The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History
- By: J. Rufus Fears, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
History is made and defined by landmark events-moments that irrevocably changed the course of human civilization. They have given us: spiritual and political ideas; catastrophic battles and wars; scientific and technological advances; world leaders both influential and monstrous; and cultural works of unparalleled beauty.
-
-
Fun course but Professor Fears is not for everyone
- By Quaker on 11-04-13
By: J. Rufus Fears, and others
-
The 23 Greatest Solo Piano Works
- By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Greenberg
- Length: 19 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The piano is the most popular solo concert instrument in Western music. One of the key reasons is the fact that it has inspired many of the greatest masterpieces in the concert repertoire. To study these masterworks and to understand their genius and lasting appeal is to know one of the greatest accomplishments of Western culture, works that give great pleasure even as they deepen your insight into the meaning of music.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Janet M. Hawn on 04-27-15
By: Robert Greenberg, and others
-
The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome
- By: Gregory S. Aldrete, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome traces the breathtaking history from the empire’s foundation by Augustus to its Golden Age in the 2nd century CE through a series of ever-worsening crises until its ultimate disintegration. Taught by acclaimed Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, these 24 captivating lectures offer you the chance to experience this story like never before, incorporating the latest historical insights that challenge our previous notions of Rome’s decline.
-
-
Gregory S. Aldrete is a treasure
- By Laurel Tucker on 02-04-19
By: Gregory S. Aldrete, and others
-
Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature
- By: Pamela Bedore, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Pamela Bedore
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can literature change our real world society? At its foundation, utopian and dystopian fiction asks a few seemingly simple questions aimed at doing just that. Who are we as a society? Who do we want to be? Who are we afraid we might become? When these questions are framed in the speculative versions of Heaven and Hell on earth, you won't find easy answers, but you will find tremendously insightful and often entertaining perspectives.
-
-
A very enjoyable and educational audiobook
- By Kindle Customer on 04-06-17
By: Pamela Bedore, and others
-
Classics of British Literature
- By: John Sutherland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John Sutherland
- Length: 24 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than 1,500 years, the literature of Great Britain has taught, nurtured, thrilled, outraged, and humbled readers both inside and outside its borders.Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Swift, Conrad, Wilde-the roster of powerful British writers is remarkable. More important, Britain's writers have long challenged readers with new ways of understanding an ever-changing world.This series of 48 fascinating lectures by an award-winning professor.
-
-
Listing Contents of this Interesting Course
- By Chelle on 01-17-17
By: John Sutherland, and others
Publisher's Summary
Russian literature famously probes the depths of the human soul, and in this series of 36 insightful lectures prepared by a frequently honored teacher legendary among educators in both the United States and Russia - you probe just as deeply into the extraordinary legacy that is Russian Literature itself.
Professor Weil introduces you to masterpieces such as Tolstoy's War and Peace, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Pushkin's Eugene Onegin, Gogol's Dead Souls, Chekhov's The Seagull, Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, and many other great novels, stories, plays, and poems.
In all, you plunge into more than 40 works by a dozen writers, from Aleksandr Pushkin in the 19th century to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the 20th century. You also investigate the origin of Russian literature itself, which traces its lineage back to powerful epic poetry and beautiful renderings of the Bible into Slavic during the Middle Ages.
All of these works are treated in translation, but Professor Weil does something very unusual in the literature-in-translation arena. For almost every passage that he quotes in English, he reads an extract in the original Russian, with a fluent accent and an actor's sense of drama.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
More from the same
What listeners say about Classics of Russian Literature
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rich
- 07-15-16
Jump in The Troika for A Ride with Dr. Weil!
When I first read--and was deeply moved by--Brothers K four months ago, I very much wanted to learn Russian and read the book in its native Cyrillic. Ohio native Irwin Weil actually followed through on that exact feeling on his first read of Brothers K, making a 40+ year career out of the effort (a career that spanned the Red Scare of the '50s thorugh current day). What Dr. Weil packs into this course is as about as dense as it gets for an audiobook.
I read five major Russian titles before coming across this course--an excellent prerequisite. Without those under my belt, this course would have felt like a fire hose of book summaries. But note: this course is as much about Russian history as it is about the literature. Where did the Cyrillic alphabet come from? What does 'tsar' actually mean? Who exactly are the Cossacks? What types of cultural dissonance did the Soviet Union create amongst its people? These questions and more are answered in this course, allowing the student to develop a greater appreciation for the written works.
Certainly this review wouldn't be complete without a nod to the passion of Dr. Weil. Northwestern University has an absolute treasure in this man; I couldn't imagine a better person to record this Great Course for the English-speaking audience to appreciate for years to come. The spoken Russian, the singing, the companion PDF--his knowledge on Russian culture is wonderfully unique and seemingly limitless.
This lecture has spoilers for most any book discussed--I intentionally skipped the lectures on Fathers and Sons, Anna K, and Dr Z because of my intent to read those titles in the near future. Once read, I'll come right back to this course to hear Dr. Weil's analysis and insight. Another knockout title by The Learning Company.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- paul
- 09-07-16
Very Little Analysis - mostly retells the stories
Any additional comments?
Being a recent college grad, I think professors are getting used to the idea that their students aren't going to read the assigned literature. Instead of teaching the books at a deep level, connecting themes and ideas, the professor simply summarizes the stories. There is a bit of historical and cultural background, and that part is appreciated, but too little is provided.
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Taake
- 01-25-18
Uneven
I’m not sure whom this course is for. The professor is learned and engaging, his Russian is beautiful, but...
I had read many of these books, so while it was still fun to listen to, these courses are basically just summarizing the novels, including the ending. For the Turgenev and some books I hadn’t read, I now know the ending so what’s the point in reading them? (There is a point, but the tension is gone)
So, I guess this is for people who haven’t read the books, don’t want to, but want to know the basic gist?
The biographical details on the authors are interesting, if sometimes repetitive, but the first Pasternak course really made me annoyed. It focused on his beautiful translations of Shakespeare, which I’m sure are really beautiful, especially if you know russian, but I wanted to hear more about Pasternak’s own poetry! Save the singing of Shakespeare songs for the Shakespeare course.
So overall, it was nice to listen to, but to me it was more of a book podcast than a great course.
Really liked the professor though, he was clearly very passionate and kind of made me want to learn Russian!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anton
- 06-18-15
I'm Russian and I absolutely like this course
I'm Russian and I've studied Russian literature in school. And I didn't expect much from this book, as the author is American. But it exceeded my expectations greatly. The course is somewhat different from what they tell you in Russian school, but it's very deep, full of respect to Russian language and Russian people, and it explains the historical and cultural context behind every book. Absolutely great listening.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- I.S. from CT
- 03-08-16
Mixed impression: Enthusiastic but inaccurate
What did you love best about Classics of Russian Literature?
Professor Weil is extremely enthusiastic about the subject and very creative in the delivery of his lectures. He is passionate about Russian literature in the highest degree. If you are looking for an introductory and colorful monologue about Russian writers and books this lecture set is the best beginning. Listening to these lectures was really very entertaining. I liked his singing (yes, he sings occasionally during lectures!) and declamations of poetry in Russian.
Would you be willing to try another book from The Great Courses? Why or why not?
I like The Great Courses lectures. Own many of them mostly on the topic of religion, history, and literature
Any additional comments?
Unfortunately, I have to add some negativity to my comments to explain my three stars. I happened to know very well Russian classical literature and Russian history of XIX and XX century. During the course of these lectures I was for so many times taken aback by all kinds of errors, inaccuracies, and misrepresentations in author biographies, writings, citations, historical facts, and their analysis that I ended up with more negative opinion than I hoped for. Many of Professor Weil's historical excursions and literature analysis are based on stale stereotypes and Soviet time assumptions, myths created either in Soviet Russia by authorities as well as by the opposition or in the West.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cookie
- 08-12-13
This is really special!
Who was Gorky? What made Tolstoy tick? Why was Pushkin a great poet?
If you have any interest at all in great literature, get this course! Prof. Weil not only delivers a compelling study of these and many other authors, but does so in English and Russian (which he speaks so beautifully you might feel compelled to try it yourself). The history and literature of this tragic country has never been told with such understanding and respect ( governments not withstanding). I can not recommend enough! Get this book! But be ready, now its time to listen to War and Peace, Dr Zhivago, The Brother Karamazov, and The Gulag Archipelago, and about fifteen others! Can't wait!
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nate
- 01-01-14
Excellent Course, But Gaping Hole Without Bulgakov
Leaving Bulgakov out of a Russian Lit Lineup is pretty much akin to leaving Iron Man out of an Avengers movie.
That aside, I loved this course. The only downside was the lack of coverage of Bulgakov, as a result of his being banned for so long in the Soviet Union (and virtually unknown in the west at the time the professor was working on his PhD). The author didn't so much as mention him.
This covers everyone from Pushkin to Solzhenitsyn, providing incredible historical context, perfectly pronounced Russian phrases and poems, and an in-depth walk through *almost* all the best Russian works.
I lived in Ukraine for 10 years, and this course still opened my eyes to a lot more about the Russian culture I was unaware of. It's brilliant, funny, educational, and insightful. Anyone vaguely interested in the history and/or literature of this part of the world should pick this up now. 36 amazing half-hour lectures for one credit is a steal!
28 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bay Area Girl
- 09-13-16
professor's tone and pacing was not pro
Ideas were better than the presentation. Nothing much new here and plot summaries took up most of the lectures -- I was looking for more advanced critical ideas. Perhaps if you had no background in Russian Lit, it might work. Professor was very knowledgeable, but he just did not treat his audience with much rigor.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phillip
- 08-20-16
Complex, Dark, and Tumultuous
Like professor Weil, I became fascinated by Dostoevsky way back in high school and the Grand Inquisitor floored me, even back then. I have read some of the literature included in these 36 lectures, but certainly not all, and will now go back and study further. Professor Weil is clearer as passionate about the Russian language as he is about the subject. He also has a surprisingly pleasant singing voice, which adds to the presentation. Certainly worth the time and I appreciate his expertise in this area and I am impressed by how well he speaks the Russian language.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ramona S Stirling
- 03-04-15
Totally enjoyable.
I'm headed to Russia in a few months. I have read several Russian novels over the course of my life but wanted to learn more. This teacher was so pleasant to listen to. I learned a lot, and will read more Russian novels. You don't need to be a scholar to enjoy this course.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tom Anderson
- 11-05-17
Classics of Russian Literature
Having read a fair bit of Russian literature, these lectures have been incredibly insightful into the cultural background and lives of the authors who created such works.
Professor Weil is clearly very passionate about the topic, and presents the lectures in an entertaining and informative style. He also presents many readings in Russian (to display rhythm of, for example, Pushkin's poetry) before giving the English translation
Definitely recommended for fans of the great Russian writers.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Alexander Sutherland
- 08-26-14
Super!
If you could sum up Classics of Russian Literature in three words, what would they be?
Very impressed by this overview of Russian literature. Not only the content of these lectures, but I love Irwin Weil's enthusiasm which is immediately apparent and can't help but draw you in. Great stuff!!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nancy Bowring
- 10-01-20
My favourite audiobook of all time
I have been a member of Audible Books for about 15 years and have listened to very many really wonderful books which I have enjoyed immensely. The Classics of Russian Literature course has by far, been the most enjoyable.
Irwin Weil not only knows his subject inside and out, but he has that rare talent - the art of imparting his knowledge in a way that is accessible to every audience without talking down to it. The Russian language and Russian literature are obviously deep passions within him and he shares them with great affection and warmth.
I don’t believe that I missed a word of what he said, such was the totally enchanting manner in which he delivered his lectures. He enriched every book he spoke about so that I felt able to revisit the ones I had read and find so much more in them than I had found upon first reading.
For anyone who is passionate about Russian literature – and history – I cannot recommend this series of lectures more highly.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- ingswarrior
- 03-02-21
Start here learning about Russian literature
If you don't know where to start learning about Russian literature, then start here. Highly recommended and concise.