Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a classic, known to each of us since school days. This brilliant writer and a talented publicist, to whose work interest has not waned to this day. In this article, we will turn to what Gogol managed to write in his short life. The list of the author's works inspires respect, let's consider it in more detail.
About creativity
All the work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a single inseparable whole, united by the same themes, motives and ideas. Lively bright style, unique style, knowledge of the characters found in the Russian people - that's what Gogol is so famous for. The list of the author's works is very diverse: there are sketches from the life of farmers, and descriptions of landowners with their vices, the characters of serfs are widely represented, the life of the capital and the county town is shown. Truly, Gogol describes the whole picture of the Russian reality of his time, making no distinction between estates and geographical location.
Gogol: list of works
We list the main works of the writer. For convenience, the stories are grouped into cycles:
- cycle "Mirgorod", which includes the story "Taras Bulba";
- "Petersburg Tales" includes the story "The Overcoat";
- cycle "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka", which includes one of Gogol's most famous works - "The Night Before Christmas";
- the play "Inspector";
- the cycle "Arabesques", which stands out strikingly against the background of everything written by the author, as it combines journalism and artistry;
- poem "Dead Souls"
Now let's take a closer look key works in the work of the writer.
Cycle "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka"
This cycle became Nikolai Vasilyevich and came out in two parts. The first was published in 1831, and the second only a year later.
The stories of this collection describe stories from the life of farmers that occurred in different time periods, for example, the action of "May Night" takes place in the 18th century, and "Terrible Revenge" - in the 17th. All the works are united in the image of the narrator - uncle Foma Grigorievich, who retells the stories he once heard.
The most famous story of this cycle is "The Night Before Christmas", written in 1830. Its actions take place during the reign of Catherine II in Ukraine, in the village of Dikanka. The story is in full romantic tradition with its mystical elements and extraordinary situations.
"Inspector"
This play is considered Gogol's most famous work. This is due to the fact that from the moment it was first staged in the theater (1836), it has not left the stage to this day, not only in our country, but also abroad. This work was a reflection of the vices, arbitrariness and limitations of county officials. This is how Gogol saw the provincial towns. It is impossible to make a list of the author's works without mentioning this play.
Despite the social and moral overtones and criticism of autocracy, which are well guessed under the cover of humor, the play was not banned either during the life of the author himself, or later. And its success can be explained by the fact that Gogol managed to depict the vicious representatives of his time with unusual accuracy and aptness, which, unfortunately, are still encountered today.
"Petersburg Tales"
The Gogol stories included in this collection were written in different time- about 30s to 40s XIX years century. Unites them common place actions - Petersburg. The uniqueness of this collection lies in the fact that all the stories included in it are written in the spirit of fantastic realism. It was Gogol who managed to develop this method and so brilliantly embody it in his cycle.
What is it This is a method that allows you to use the techniques of grotesque and fantasy in the depiction of reality, while maintaining the topicality and recognizability of images. So, despite the absurdity of what is happening, the reader can easily recognize the features of the real Northern Palmyra in the image of a fictional Petersburg.
In addition, one way or another, the hero of each work of the cycle is the city itself. Petersburg in the view of Gogol acts as a force that destroys a person. This destruction can occur on a physical or spiritual level. A person can die, can lose his individuality and turn into a simple layman.
"Overcoat"
This work is included in the collection "Petersburg Tales". At the center of the story this time is Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, a petty official. About life and dreams little man”N.V. Gogol tells in this work. The overcoat is the limit of the protagonist's desires. But gradually this thing grows, becomes larger than the character himself, and eventually absorbs him.
A certain mystical connection is formed between Bashmachkin and the overcoat. The hero seems to give part of his soul to this piece of clothing. That is why Akaki Akakievich dies a few days after the disappearance of the overcoat. After all, with her, he lost a part of himself.
The main problem of the story is the harmful dependence of people on things. The subject has become the determining factor in the judgment of a person, and not his personality - that's the horror surrounding reality according to Gogol.
Poem "Dead Souls"
Initially, the poem, according to the author's intention, was to be divided into three parts. The first describes a kind of "hell" of reality. In the second - "purgatory", when the hero had to realize his sins and set foot on the path of repentance. In the third - "paradise", the rebirth of the character.
In the center of the story is the former customs officer Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. This gentleman all his life dreamed of only one thing - to make a fortune. And now, in order to fulfill his dream, he embarked on an adventure. Its meaning was to buy up the dead peasants who were listed alive according to the last census. Having got certain number such souls, he could borrow a decent amount from the state and leave with it somewhere in warmer climes.
About what adventures await Chichikov, and tells the first and only volume " dead souls».
"To be in the world and not signify one's existence in any way - that seems terrible to me." N. V. Gogol.
The genius of classical literature
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is known to the world as a writer, poet, playwright, publicist and critic. A man of remarkable talent and an amazing master of words, he is famous both in Ukraine, where he was born, and in Russia, where he moved over time.
Especially Gogol is known for his mystical heritage. His stories, written in a unique Ukrainian language, which is not literary in the full sense of the word, convey the depth and beauty of Ukrainian speech, known to the whole world. The greatest popularity of Gogol was given by his "Viy". What other works did Gogol write? Below is a list of works. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and little-known works of the author.
List of writer's works
In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. Some of them he continued to finish, despite the publication. Many of his creations had several variations, including "Taras Bulba" and "Viy". Having published the story, Gogol continued to reflect on it, sometimes adding or changing the ending. His stories often have multiple endings. So, next we consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:
- "Ganz Kühelgarten" (1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
- “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“ Sorochinskaya Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Woman”, “Missing Letter”). The second part was published a year later. It included following stories: "Christmas Eve", " Terrible revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his aunt”, “The Enchanted Place”.
- Mirgorod (1835). Its edition was divided into 2 parts. The first part included the stories "Taras Bulba", "Old World Landowners". The second part, completed in 1839-1841, included "Viy", "The Tale of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich."
- "Nose" (1841-1842).
- "Morning business man". It was written, like the comedies Litigation, Fragment and Lakeyskaya, from 1832 to 1841.
- "Portrait" (1842).
- "Notes of a Madman" and "Nevsky Prospekt" (1834-1835).
- "Inspector" (1835).
- The play "Marriage" (1841).
- "Dead Souls" (1835-1841).
- Comedy "Players" and " Theatrical tour after the presentation of the new comedy" (1836-1841).
- "Overcoat" (1839-1841).
- "Rome" (1842).
These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (a list by year, to be more precise) indicate that the writer's talent flourished in 1835-1841. And now let's go through the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.
"Viy" - the most mystical creation of Gogol
The story "Viy" tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion's daughter, who, as the whole village knows, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, forces the funeral worker Khoma Bruta to be read over her. The witch, who died through the fault of Khoma, dreams of revenge...
Reviews of the work "Viy" - continuous praise for the writer and his talent. It is impossible to discuss the list of Nikolai Gogol's works without mentioning everyone's favorite Viy. Readers note bright characters, original, unique, with their own characters and habits. All of them are typical Ukrainians, cheerful and optimistic people, rude but kind. It is impossible not to appreciate the subtle irony and humor of Gogol.
They also highlight the unique style of the writer and his ability to play on contrasts. During the day, the peasants walk and have fun, Khoma also drinks, so as not to think about the horror of the upcoming night. With the advent of evening, a gloomy, mystical silence sets in - and Khoma again enters the circle outlined in chalk ...
A very short story keeps you in suspense until last pages. Below are stills from the 1967 film of the same name.
Satirical comedy "The Nose"
The Nose is an amazing story, written in such a satirical form that at first it seems fantastic absurdity. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person and prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - it is empty in its place. In a panic, Kovalev begins to look for his lost nose, because without it you won’t even appear in a decent society!
Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol stories, despite the fact that they were written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works for the most part can be divided into mysticism and satire, very subtly felt modern society, which has not changed much since then. The rank, the external gloss are still held in high esteem, but the inner content of a person is of no interest to anyone. It is Plato's nose, with an outer shell, but without inner content, that becomes the prototype of a man richly dressed, rationally thinking, but soulless.
"Taras Bulba"
"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. Describing the works of Gogol, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, it is impossible not to mention this story. In the center of the plot are two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and utterly principled man.
Readers especially highlight small parts stories, on which the author focused attention, which enlivens the picture, makes those distant times closer and more understandable. Writer for a long time studied the details of the life of that era, so that readers could more vividly and vividly imagine the events taking place. In general, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, always attached special meaning trifles.
Charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. The tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, the brave and courageous Ostap and the romantic, selfless Andrey - they cannot leave readers indifferent. In general, the famous works of Gogol, the list of which we are considering, have interesting feature- an amazing, but harmonious contradiction in the characters of the characters.
"Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"
Another mystical, but at the same time funny and ironic work of Gogol. The blacksmith Vakula is in love with Oksana, who promised to marry him if he gets her little slippers, like the queen herself. Vakula is in despair... But then, quite by chance, he comes across evil spirits, having fun in the village in the society of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works contains numerous Mystic stories, in this story involved a witch and a devil.
This story is interesting not only for the plot, but also for the colorful characters, each of which is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in his own way. One Gogol admires with light irony He admires Vakula, and teaches Oksana to appreciate and love. Like a caring father, he chuckles good-naturedly at his characters, but it all looks so soft that it causes only a gentle smile.
The character of the Ukrainians, their language, customs and foundations, so clearly described in the story, could only be described in such detail and lovingly by Gogol. Even joking about the "Muscovites" looks cute in the mouths of the characters in the story. This is because Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, loved his homeland and spoke of it with love.
"Dead Souls"
Sounds mystical, right? However, in reality, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. The main character Chichikov seems to be a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in it. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his hard-hitting actions, which already says a lot.
In this work, the writer, as always, acts as an excellent psychologist and a real genius of the word.
Of course, these are not all the creations that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without the continuation of Dead Souls. It was his author who allegedly burned it before his death. Rumor has it that in the next two volumes, Chichikov was supposed to improve and become a decent person. Is it so? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.
Passion for music often develops into creativity: we will never know how many amateur and unsuccessful composers there were (and are) in the world, but we can remember those who composed music, but became famous thanks to literature and philosophy.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Philosopher-educator and forerunner of the Great french revolution was no stranger to musical writing. He wrote several musical works, among which the most famous is the opera The Village Sorcerer, which premiered in 1752. N.M. Karamzin visited the production while in Paris, and described his impressions in Letters from a Russian Traveler: “I listened to the music of this beautiful opera with lively pleasure. The Parisian ladies were right when they said that its author had to be very sensitive! .. I imagined him, in a beard and in an uncombed wig, sitting in the box of the Fontainebleau theater during the first performance of his opera, hiding from the gaze of the admiring public.
Ernst Theodor Amadeus (Wilhelm) Hoffmann (1776-1822)
The fact that Hoffmann was passionately fond of music can already be guessed from his name. Out of love for the great Mozart, the writer changed his name "Wilhelm" to "Amadeus" in 1805.
Romantic culture liked to demonize music, but Hoffmann, perhaps more than anyone else, had a hand in creating this myth. It is worth remembering his short stories "Don Juan" or "Cavalier Gluck" (the writer's very first short story, first published in the Universal Musical Gazette).
As a composer, Hoffmann was very prolific: the catalog of his works includes 85 items: among them are operas, ballets, chamber music. The most popular work was the opera Ondine (1816), which was positive feedback composer Carl Weber.
Vladimir Fedorovich Odoevsky (1804-1869)
The outstanding Russian romantic writer was one of the founders of Russian musicology, a tireless propagandist of Mozart and Beethoven, a researcher of folk and church music, as well as a literary follower of Hoffmann. Inspired by his Cavalier Gluck, Odoevsky wrote The Works of Cavalier Giambattista Piranesi (1831). A year earlier, his novella "Beethoven's Last Quartet" was published, dedicated to memory great composer.
Among other things, Odoevsky was interested in the structure of organs. In the late 1840s, the Sebastianon cabinet organ was made especially for the writer (guess who it is named after; the organ, alas, has not survived to this day). On this Odoevsky did not stop his experiments. The prince composed music, several of his works have been preserved.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)
Nietzsche joined music earlier than philosophy, he tried to compose as a child. Peak it composer activity fell in the mid-1860s, at which time the philosopher composed a series piano pieces, vocal works mostly for poetry German poets. Music was Nietzsche's passion. As you know, he was great influence Wagner, they met in 1868 and became close friends for several years, but their relationship soon broke down. Shortly after the breakup, Wagner criticized Nietzsche's musical composition "Echoes new year's eve"(1872), and Nietzsche settled scores with former friend later - in the book "Casus Wagner" (1888).
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
Classic Indian literature and laureate Nobel Prize composed about 2230 songs. How the composer Tagore was influenced by the classical indian music(Hindustani). He often used traditional type melodic composition - called raga. Most of Tagore's songs were based on fragments of his literary works.
George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (1866-1949)
Mystic, philosopher, writer, founder of The Fourth Way and the Institute of Harmonious Man, Gurdjieff took music extremely seriously, although musical notation did not know. He was assisted by Thomas de Hartmann (aka Foma Aleksandrovich Hartmann), who had been his student and colleague since 1916. They called their compositions music for "movements" and "sacred dances". In 1929, the alliance between Gurdjieff and Hartmann broke up.
Music was for Gurdjieff a sacred phenomenon that has beneficial effect on a person and can put him into a trance-like state. British mathematician John Bennett in his book Witness. The History of Searches” recalled Gurdjieff’s studies in this way: “While the new students were practicing on the stage, several Russians gathered around the piano, where Thomas de Hartmann was sitting, throwing up his proud head like a bird. Gurdjieff began to tap the rhythm on the top of the piano. When it became clear to everyone, Gurdjieff hummed a melody or played it on the piano with one hand and then left. Hartmann developed the theme, and if Gurdjieff didn't like it, he shouted loudly, and Hartmann shouted back furiously. Furious disputes began ... Suddenly Gurdjieff issued an authoritative cry, after which there was dead silence ... and Hartmann began to play the same theme again ... ".
Theodor Adorno (1903-1969)
For many years, Adorno was interested in the atonal experiments of Arnold Schoenberg. They met in 1924 in Frankfurt, where Adorno began taking piano lessons. In 1925, the philosopher, having settled in Vienna, studied composition under the guidance of Alban Berg. The composer once remarked to his student that sooner or later he would have to make a choice between Kant and Beethoven. Philosophy, of course, remained Adorno's main field of activity, but music was also very important for him: it was not without reason that Adorno was called an atonal philosopher. He was concerned about how the social and historical is manifested in music. Adorno developed a model of Hegelian-Marxist criticism of music based on the ability of art to raise questions and, at least indirectly, point to possible ways their decisions. He is considered to be one of the founders of the sociology of music.
Paul Bowles (1910-1999)
Most famous novel Bowles - "Under the cover of heaven" (1947) - was filmed by Bernardo Bertolucci in 1990. Classic American Literature since childhood, he showed interest in music: he listened to records of academic music that his father collected, although he himself liked jazz more. His parents bought him a piano, and the young Bowles began to study music theory and singing. At the age of 15, he attended the ballet "The Firebird" by Stravinsky at Carnegie Hall, and this left a deep impression on his soul, as he himself admitted in his autobiography. Bowles later studied composition, and at the age of 20 wrote his first musical composition: sonata for oboe and clarinet. In parallel, Bowles was engaged in literature. In 1931 he traveled for the first time to Tangier, where he subsequently moved permanently in 1947. In 1959, Bowles, along with a research team, went on an expedition whose goal was to entry traditional music ethnic groups living in Morocco. As a composer, Bowles left a vast and varied legacy.
Anthony Burgess (1917-1993)
In England, Burgess is valued as a composer no less than a writer. He has about 40 musical compositions Among them are the one-act opera Dr Faustus (1940), the opera Trotsky in New York (1980), the ballet suite for orchestra Mr W.S. (1979) and more. Music plays important role and in some literary works Burgess. For example, in the famous dystopian novel " Clockwork orange"(1962) Beethoven inspires the protagonist to violence and gives him a sense of uniqueness, superhumanity: "Listening to Beethoven, I felt on a par with the Lord God himself, who has the right to punish and pardon these worthless people." With the help of music, Burgess answers the question of whether the sublime and violence can coexist, and if so, what will come of this union.
Boris Vian (1920-1959)
French writer Boris Vian was born in musical family. His mother Yvonne Voldemar-Ravene played the piano and harp excellently, and she named one of her sons after Boris Godunov - it was her favorite opera. Passionate lover classical music, she often arranged home concerts for her children, but younger generation preferred jazz to everything in the world. Lelio, Boris, Ninon and Alain organized a home jazz orchestra. At the age of 17, Boris became a member music club Hot-Club de France, its honorary president was Louis Armstrong himself. Of the four children in this family, three became professional musicians. Boris connected his life with literature, but continued to study music all his life: he played in the orchestra, performed as music journalist and wrote songs.
Is one piece a lot or a little? It all depends on what kind of work it is. It is enough for someone to write just one book so that the fame from it is enough for centuries, and someone churns out a dozen novels a year, but cannot achieve reader recognition in any way. What plays a decisive role in the success of a particular book - the skill of the writer, relevance and topicality, or well-established stars? There is no universal recipe for how to create a best-selling book, but the authors from our selection still managed to become famous thanks to the only work, in the shadow of which all their other creations remained.
Margaret Mitchell and Gone with the Wind
Mitchell's only novel for which she won a Pulitzer Prize. The novel Gone with the Wind, which took 10 years to complete, was published in 1936 and immediately gained worldwide success, becoming real sensation. Fans flooded Mitchell with letters asking her to write something else, but the writer remained silent. The film, based on the novel in 1939 and starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, won eight Academy Awards.
“Gone with the Wind” is a book for all time: about friendship and jealousy, about betrayal and loyalty, about true love and self-sacrifice. This is a saga about America, about the South, about the strength and resilience of the human spirit, about proud and free people that era, which was blown away by the wind of war and fate.
Bram Stoker and Count Dracula
In fact, Bram Stoker cannot be called a "one-book author" in literally this word, because in addition to Dracula, he created at least 10 more major works. But it was this novel, published in 1897, that brought him fame. Irish writer worked on "Dracula" for eight years, deeply studying European folklore and vampire legends. And although Stoker was not the first to touch on the “vampire theme” in his work, his novel and characters became cult, having a great influence on the popularization of the genre.
In the center of the plot is the story of a young lawyer, Jonathan Harker, who goes to Transylvania to the rich man and aristocrat, Count Dracula, to legalize a deal. But with every day of his stay in the ancient castle, the man grows aware that mysterious, if not frightening, things are happening around him. He understands that neither professional quality London lawyer, no life experience will help him in the fight against the nightmares lurking in the dwelling of a suspicious earl.
Harper Lee and "To Kill a Mockingbird"
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - best novel century, receiving numerous awards. About two and a half million copies of this work were sold in the year of release, and to date, more than 30. Harper Lee was not ready for this resounding success, so she chose to go "into the shadows" for a while, refusing to give interviews and meet with fans.
This novel is a story told by a five-year-old girl about a lawsuit and a terrible crime committed in a small, sleepy American town. However, behind this private history and experiences lie all the secrets of a turning point in society, where hypocrisy, racism and intolerance, inherent in the American South, are gradually becoming a thing of the past.
Jerome David Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye
Salinger published his first novel in 1951 and immediately limited contact with the outside world, focusing on the inner world. He became one of the main recluses modern literature and until 2010 he led an extremely secluded lifestyle, composing “on the table”.
The novel "The Catcher in the Rye" became a turning point in the history of world literature, and main character- Holden Caulfield - a symbol of the generation of young rebels. The book tells about the perception of life by a teenager who does not want to accept the values and morality that have been established in society. He wants to change the world, redraw it in his own way, bypassing all existing laws, but fails as a result of the relative immaturity of his own personality and lack of life experience.
Ken Kesey and Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Published in 1962, the novel merry prankster" Ken Kesey made a huge resonance in society, becoming one of the main works of the beatnik and hippie movements. The life of the writer was full of adventures: some of which formed the basis of his new works, and for some of them he was convicted. But none of his works became as important as Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Is there a line between sanity and insanity? Are all called madmen so immersed in their world? It is these questions that form the basis of the novel. Interestingly, Kesey managed not only to compose such a popular plot, but also to invest in it a share of documentary: it recorded the results long conversation the author with mentally ill people and his reasoning on the topic of insanity.
Venedikt Erofeev and Moscow-Petushki
This poem, written on behalf of the protagonist, a drinker, is a kind of philosophical parable, not subject to the passage of time, in which Erofeev describes his own universe, a separate world. "Moscow-Petushki" is not the only, but the most significant and famous work author.
Surrealistic details, emotionality, hidden allegories and metaphors - all this is a special author's style, which you can enjoy while reading this work. And the main character, who at first glance seemed to be a limited person, whose life moves with an unsteady gait from glass to glass, becomes a worthy opponent for the reader, deeply moral and leading a philosophical and religious dialogue with the world.
Mariam Petrosyan and "The house in which ..."
One of the main Russian novels of the new century, created by a Yerevan artist and writer. Released in 2009, "The House in which ..." immediately won the recognition of the readership and literary critics. The success of the book was supported by a number of prestigious awards, including the Russian Prize in the category "Large Prose" and " big book in the Audience Choice Award nomination.
Mariam Petrosyan worked on the novel for twenty years and did not even think that someone would want to publish it. She sent handwritten text fragments to friends and relatives, supplying them with her own illustrations. However, at some point, Moscow acquaintances began to strongly advise to publish the book - and it was published by the Livebook publishing house.
"The house in which ..." is a special world on the verge of reality and fiction. The central place of action is a boarding school for children with disabilities. But it’s not so easy to understand what kind of injury a character has - it’s not mentioned directly, sometimes you can only guess. And we do not know the real names of the children, only nicknames. They learn to live in this house, learn its history and mystical side, choose: to adapt or resist the rules and traditions. "Appearance" ( real world outside the boarding school) seems illusory and hostile. But the news that the House is going to be demolished brings chaos to the usual course of things, now each character has to make his own difficult choice.
Mary Shelley and "Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus"
The novel, written by an 18-year-old writer, was first published in 1818. According to one version, it was written as a result of a creative dispute between Mary Shelley and Lord Byron: who can write for real scary story. That is how the work was born, which brought the young writer world fame and became the ancestor of the science fiction tradition in literature.
Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with the idea of animating matter. Years of research and experimentation culminate in success when he manages to create a humanoid monster so frightening that the scientist has no choice but to say goodbye to him and let him go. independent travel. The monster sets off on a solitary journey through this world, and a plan of retribution is brewing in his soul.
Katherine Stockett and The Help
The novel by the American writer was published in 2009, a year later the book could be bought in 53 countries of the world, and by the end of 2011, about 7 million copies had been sold. It spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
The events described in the work take place in the 1960s in America, in the state of Mississippi. In those days, strong racial segregation still existed - blacks lived in separate neighborhoods, could only count on the dirtiest work, even in public transport, the sign "only for whites" hung over the most convenient places. Young girl Skeeter (from a white family) returns home after graduating from university and dreams of a career as a writer. She wants to understand where their dark-skinned maid Constance disappeared, who raised her and always surrounded her with warmth and care. But no one around can give her concrete answers. Memories of the life that Constance led in their family, and observations of other black maids, prompt the aspiring writer to think about the injustice of dividing the world by skin tone. She wants to open people's eyes real situation things by writing a book about it. But the idea turns out to be very dangerous in a world where racial discrimination has dominated for centuries.
The New York Times says of this book: “A story written from the heart, full of pain, warmth and hope. A good old-fashioned novel. If it weren't so fresh, it could safely be called a classic."
Photo: Getty Images, Alexey Filippov ITAR-TASS, Anatoly Morkovkin ITAR-TASS, archive of press services
Disputes about who is actually the author of Shakespeare's plays do not subside until the present. When William Shakespeare lived, there was no such controversy. No one doubted the authenticity of the authorship of this writer. After Shakespeare died, one after another, individuals suddenly began to appear, declaring that the author of famous plays was a completely different person.
To date, no final conclusion has been reached on this issue. According to researchers on this moment more than a dozen people who want to become famous claim authorship. A version is put forward that the name "William Shakespeare" is pseudonym. In fact, the plays were composed either by a whole group of people, or just by another person. One of the scenarios is that Shakespeare knew that other people were publishing literature under his name, and was not against it.
Today the authorship of "King Lear" and "Richard III", "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet" is attributed to different people. Among the multitude are the names of not only the writer Christopher Marlo, but even the Queen of England. There are people who claim that William Shakespeare used literary works talented, but low-income person. He published his works under his own name, paying him a certain amount of money for this.
American Delia Bacon at one time spoke with a claim to everything Shakespearean works, while claiming that their author was her ancestor Francis Bacon. Since the lady claimed that the evidence in the form of documents is in the grave along with Shakespeare, an autopsy of the writer's grave was made, but to no avail.
The writer Virginia M. Fellows, in her work The Shakespeare Code, also attributes authorship to Francis Bacon. The book puts forward the theory that Count Bacon, being learned man and the author of his own two-letter cipher, he encrypted his messages, because he could not openly use the secrets of the royal court of England known to him. This can be verified by examining the printed originals of the works. And also the fact that some close associates helped him in this.
