Alexander Ostrovsky

Alexander Ostrovsky (1823-1886) was a prominent Russian playwright often considered the father of Russian theater. He introduced realism into Russian drama and created a rich gallery of social and domestic characters. His notable works include 'The Storm' and 'Without a Dowry', which depict the merchant class and criticize the societal norms of his time.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Forest

    "The Forest" is a classic Russian play that intertwines themes of love, greed, and the generational clash between old and new values. Set in a rural 19th-century Russian village, the story revolves around a wealthy, miserly widow who owns a large estate and her nephew, a struggling but idealistic playwright. When a pair of itinerant actors arrives in the village, their presence sets off a series of events that expose the hypocrisy and corruption of the rural gentry and merchant class. Through a blend of comedy and drama, the play critiques the societal norms of the time, revealing the characters' true natures and exploring the transformative power of art and integrity.

    The 10943rd Greatest Book of All Time