This book is a compilation of the works of a renowned 17th-century French playwright, who is often considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His plays are known for their satirical examination of social norms and human folly, featuring a range of characters from the foolish and the pedantic to the hypocritical and the corrupt. Some of his most famous works included in this collection are "Tartuffe," "The Misanthrope," and "The Imaginary Invalid."

The play is a satirical comedy that exposes the corruption and foolishness of the bureaucracy in a small Russian town. When officials mistake a lowly civil servant for a feared government inspector traveling incognito, they fall over themselves to cover up their town's numerous misdeeds. The visitor exploits the situation for personal gain, accepting bribes and enjoying the sycophantic hospitality of the town's officials, who are oblivious to his true identity. The story unfolds with a series of comedic misunderstandings and ironic twists, culminating in a final revelation that leaves the townspeople facing the consequences of their deception and moral laxity.

"King Ubu" is a satirical play that centers around the grotesque and absurd character, Père Ubu, who is manipulated by his ambitious wife to seize power in Poland. Once king, Ubu's reign is marked by greed, cruelty, and incompetence, leading to chaos and violence. The play employs absurdity and farce to critique power and corruption, using exaggerated characters and surreal scenarios to highlight the folly and destructiveness of tyrannical rule. This pioneering work is often considered a precursor to the Theatre of the Absurd and has had a lasting influence on avant-garde theatre.

"Evenings On A Farm Near Dikanka" is a collection of short stories that take place in a small Ukrainian village. The stories are filled with folklore, supernatural elements, and humorous anecdotes, depicting the lives and adventures of the villagers. Through vivid descriptions and lively characters, the book offers a glimpse into rural life in 19th-century Ukraine, blending reality with fantasy in a captivating and entertaining manner.

In this comic book, a small Gaulish village in ancient France resists Roman occupation with the help of a magic potion that gives them superhuman strength. The story revolves around the adventures of a brave and clever warrior and his lovable, hefty sidekick. Their adventures are filled with humor, satire, and historical references, as they outwit their Roman adversaries and protect their village from various threats.

The narrative centers on a meek and downtrodden government clerk living in St. Petersburg, whose life is consumed by the desire to replace his threadbare overcoat. After much sacrifice, he finally acquires a new overcoat, which momentarily elevates his social standing and brings him brief joy. However, his triumph is short-lived as the overcoat is stolen, plunging him back into misery. The clerk's desperate attempts to recover his lost garment ultimately lead to his untimely death, and his ghost is said to haunt the city, searching for the stolen overcoat, in a tale that intertwines the tragic with the absurd, and critiques the indifference of society to the plight of its less fortunate members.

The book is an Enlightenment-era philosophical novel that follows the adventures of its eponymous hero, a young nobleman in ancient Babylonia. Through a series of misfortunes and experiences, including love, injustice, and chance, the protagonist explores themes of fate, free will, and the search for truth. His journey is marked by encounters with a diverse cast of characters, each representing different aspects of society and human nature. The protagonist's wisdom and observations on human folly and the ironies of life offer a satirical critique of the social and political systems of the day, ultimately advocating for enlightenment and reason over superstition and tyranny.

This comedic play explores the life of a libertine nobleman who is infamous for his seduction of women. The protagonist is a man who lives by his own rules, unburdened by morality or religion, and who takes pleasure in manipulating others for his own gain. His actions eventually lead to his downfall when he refuses to repent for his sins, resulting in a dramatic, supernatural punishment.

This comedic play revolves around a middle-class man who aspires to elevate his social status and become a gentleman. He hires teachers to educate him in the arts, language, and manners of the upper class, but his lack of understanding and pretentious behavior only makes him look foolish. His obsession with his newly acquired 'gentleman' status strains his relationship with his sensible wife and daughter, and leads to a series of humorous and satirical incidents that mock the pretensions and hypocrisy of the society.

"The Miser" is a comedic play that revolves around a wealthy man who is so obsessed with his money that he neglects his own children. His son and daughter, both in love with people they cannot afford to marry due to their father's stinginess, scheme to trick him out of his wealth. The play satirizes the greed and hypocrisy of the upper class, while exploring themes of love, deception, and the value of money.

"The Clay Machine-gun" is a surreal and complex novel that explores the nature of reality and illusion. The story is set in post-Soviet Russia and follows a protagonist who has multiple identities, including a poet in 19th-century Russia, a 20th-century psychiatric patient, and a 21st-century advertising executive. The narrative moves between these identities and realities, blurring the lines between them and creating a layered and philosophical exploration of Russian society, identity, and the human psyche.

"The Bedbug And Selected Poetry" is a collection of poems by Vladimir Mayakovsky, a prominent Russian poet of the early 20th century. The book features a mix of Mayakovsky's avant-garde and politically charged works, showcasing his unique style and themes of revolution, love, and the struggles of the working class. Through his powerful and dynamic verses, Mayakovsky offers readers a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of his time, while leaving a lasting impact with his thought-provoking and emotive poetry.

The book is a dark and satirical portrayal of the Soviet Union's early years of communism, focusing on a group of workers involved in the construction of a gigantic pit intended to lay the foundations for a utopian future. As they dig deeper, the narrative delves into the absurdities and tragedies of the Soviet system, revealing the disconnect between the lofty ideals of the revolution and the harsh realities faced by the people. The characters, ranging from disillusioned laborers to ideologically blinded officials, grapple with the meaning of progress and human purpose in a society where language and thoughts are contorted by political dogma, ultimately questioning the human cost of a forced march towards a promised paradise.

The novel is a satirical exploration of the conflict between the old, pre-revolutionary generation and the new Soviet order. It centers on Nikolai Kavalerov, a man who finds himself homeless and disillusioned with the socialist society around him. He is taken in by Andrei Babichev, an ardent supporter of the new regime and the creator of the perfect Soviet food, the "Olympian sausage." Kavalerov becomes envious of Babichev's success and his revolutionary brother Ivan, leading to a psychological struggle that reflects the larger societal tensions of the time. The narrative delves into themes of identity, purpose, and the nature of envy, as characters grapple with their roles in a rapidly changing world.

"Happy Moscow" is a satirical novel set in the Soviet Union during the height of Stalinist rule, following the life of a young woman, Moscow Chestnova, who is named after the capital city. Despite the harsh realities of life under an authoritarian regime, she maintains a positive and optimistic outlook, symbolizing the Soviet Union's propaganda that promoted an image of a happy and prosperous society. The novel, through its characters and their experiences, explores the paradoxes and contradictions of the Soviet society, challenging the official narrative of happiness and prosperity.

"Les Caractères" is a collection of character sketches and maxims that satirically depict the manners, foibles, and quirks of the French society in the 17th century. The author's keen observations and sharp wit provide an insightful commentary on human nature and social behavior, with a focus on the court of Louis XIV. The book is renowned for its style, wisdom, and the author's ability to capture the essence of an individual in a few lines.

"The Provincial Letters" is a series of 18 letters written by a philosopher and mathematician, where he defends his friend Antoine Arnauld, an opponent of the Jesuits, who was on trial before the faculty of theology in Paris for his controversial religious works. The letters mockingly criticize the morals and ethics of Jesuits, and the casuistry they used to justify moral laxity, while also debating various philosophical and theological issues. The letters are considered a masterpiece of French prose and had a significant influence on the French language.

This collection of stories offers a look into the world of 19th-century Russia through the eyes of one of its most celebrated authors. The stories are marked by their satirical and often surrealistic view of Russian society, exploring themes such as the absurdity of bureaucracy, the plight of the poor, and the complexities of human nature. The author's unique narrative style, characterized by a blend of realism and fantasy, creates a vivid and compelling portrait of a society in transition.

The play is a sharp satire on the social and political life of 19th-century Russia, depicting the clash between progressive ideas and the inertia of a society anchored in old-fashioned conventions and protocols. The protagonist, a witty and intellectual young man, returns to Moscow from abroad, only to find himself entangled in the superficial and hypocritical world of Moscow's elite. His sharp tongue and criticisms of the societal norms lead to misunderstandings and a tragic series of events, reflecting the author's commentary on the futility of intelligence and wit in a society that values appearance over substance.

"The History of a Town" is a satirical novel that chronicles the absurd and often grotesque history of a fictional Russian town, serving as an allegory for the bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and societal stagnation of Tsarist Russia. Through a series of vignettes and historical accounts, the narrative lampoons the town's inept leaders and the apathetic or complicit townsfolk, using dark humor and irony to critique the autocratic government and the broader socio-political climate of the time. The work is a scathing commentary on the folly of human nature and the cyclical nature of history, where progress is continually undermined by human vices and incompetence.

The book is a dark and satirical short story presented as a series of diary entries from a low-ranking civil servant who gradually descends into insanity. As he becomes increasingly alienated from society, he develops delusions of grandeur and believes himself to be of noble descent. His madness escalates as he convinces himself that he can understand the conversations of dogs and that he is destined to become the king of Spain. The narrative provides a poignant critique of the bureaucratic world and the protagonist's struggle with his identity and self-importance, reflecting the absurdities and injustices of the society in which he lives.

The narrative unfolds on the bustling Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg, where the lives of two men intersect amidst the avenue's deceptive allure. One man, a romantic artist, becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman who is not what she seems, leading to a disillusioning revelation. The other, a pragmatic German, pursues a seemingly modest seamstress with tragic consequences. Through these parallel tales of love and illusion, the story offers a satirical and poignant exploration of the superficiality and transient nature of urban life, revealing the stark contrast between the glittering facade of the city and the grim reality of its inhabitants' lives.

This book is a seminal Russian work that takes the form of a travelogue, documenting the narrator's observations and reflections as he journeys between two major cities. Along the way, the narrator engages with various individuals from different social classes and discusses the social and political issues of the time, including serfdom, the justice system, and the condition of the peasantry. The work is notable for its critical perspective on the social injustices of 18th-century Russian society and is often regarded as a call for reform and enlightenment, which ultimately led to it being perceived as a threat by the authorities, resulting in the author's exile.

"Le Pauvre Christ De Bomba" is a satirical novel set in colonial Cameroon, highlighting the cultural clash between the indigenous people and the French colonizers. The story follows the life of a young boy named Christophe, who is sent to a Catholic mission school and becomes the subject of ridicule due to his poverty and African heritage. Through Christophe's experiences, the author exposes the hypocrisy and injustices of the colonial system, shedding light on the destructive effects of colonization on African society.

"Whatever" is a satirical novel that explores the life of a depressed and disillusioned computer programmer working for a software company in Paris. The protagonist's life is characterized by his cynicism and indifference towards his job, his failed relationships, and society at large. His only relief comes from his philosophical musings about life and the human condition. The novel is a bleak critique of modern society and the isolation and alienation brought about by technology and capitalism.