A Very Russian Christmas: The Greatest Russian Holiday Stories of All Time

Very Christmas #1

by Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov

Running the gamut from sweet and reverent to twisted and uproarious, and with many of the stories appearing in English for the first time, this is a collection that will satisfy every reader. Dostoevsky brings stories of poverty and tragedy, Tolstoy inspires with his fable-like tales, Chekhov's unmatchable skills are on full display in a story about a female factory owner and the wretched workers, Klavdia Lukashevitch delights with a sweet and surprising tale of a childhood in White Russia, and Mikhail Zoshchenko recounts madcap anecdotes of Christmas trees and Christmas thieves. There is no shortage of vodka or wit on display here, in a collection that proves, with its wonderful variety and remarkable human touch, that Nobody Does Christmas Like the Russians.

New Year's tree / Mikhail Zoshchenko --
Boys / Anton Chekhov --
Christmas tree and a wedding / Fyodor Dostoevsky --
At Christmastide / Anton Chekhov --
Dream of the young tsar / Lev Tolstoy --
Makar's dream / Vladimir Korolenko --
Woman's kingdom / Anton Chekhov --
Distant Christmas eve / Klaudia Lukashevich --
Little boy at Christ's Christmas tree / Fyodor Dostoevsky --
Christmas phantoms / Maxim Gorky --
Lifeless animal / Teffi --
My last Christmas / Mikhail Zoshchenko.

Genres: Christmas, Short Stories, Fiction, Russia, Holiday, Anthologies, Classics

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2016

About the author

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian: Лев Николаевич Толстой; most appropriately used Liev Tolstoy; commonly Leo Tolstoy in Anglophone countries) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction. Many consider Tolstoy to have been one of the world's greatest novelists. Tolstoy is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views, which he adopted after a moral crisis and spiritual awakening in the 1870s, after which he also became noted as a moral thinker and social reformer.

His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reviews

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband is half-Russian and that has led me to an interest in Russian literature, especially Orthodox tales. I thought this would be fun for my yearly Christmas book. I don't have a lot to say about it as it was nowhere near to what I was expecting. Most of the stories are just ok. A couple were excellent and one was a big dud. Overall it averaged out to be a solid 3/5.

1. The New Year's Tree by Mikhail Zoshchenko (1939) - The narrator tells us of a Christmas when he was five. He and his older sister behaved badly, were punished and he tells the lesson he learnt that day. Boring. (1/5)

2. The Boys by Anton Chekhov (1887) - A schoolboy and his friend come home for Christmas but have secret plans to run off to America in search of adventure, gold and ivory. On Christmas Day they run away but things don't exactly work out. This was funny with their wild expectations of America such as hunting buffalos and tigers. (3/5)

3. A Christmas Tree and a Wedding by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1848) - A man reflects back upon a children's Chrismas party that he was invited to five years ago. There he witnesses the courtship of a young man to an uninterested 11-yo heiress and he also overhears him calculating how much her dowry will be worth in five years when she is the marriageable age of 16. I really enjoyed this and found it to be classic Russian lit with a comic-tragedy theme. (5/5)

4. At Christmastide by Anton Chekhov (1900) - A peasant couple, not having heard from their married daughter in years, have a local man write a letter to her. Then we switch to the daughter and her receival of the letter. Lots of emotion with tragic comedy ending. (3/5)

5. Dream of the Young Tsar by Lev Tolstoy (1894) - Very similar to "A Christmas Carol". A new young Tsar drifts off to sleep and "awakes" by the touch of a stranger but also a man he feels he's known forever. In flashes, he is taken around the country to see how the poor suffer, the unfairness to soldiers, and various others crimes against humanity going on in Russia. When he wakes up he is desperate to change things and comes up with three courses of action to choose from, but the ending is left open with the reader not knowing what he does. I really enjoyed this one. (5/5)

6. Makar's Dream by Vladimir Korolenko (1883) - This one is by far the longest, and I'm guessing no other will be this long. A very winding weaving plot too complicated to summarise but in essence it is the series of unfortunate events that befall Makar on Christmas Eve and day, starting wth his search to acquire money for a bottle of vodka and ending with his journey and judgement in the afterlife. At the end, I found Makar a lot like Job. (3/5)

7. A Woman's Kingdom by Anton Chekov (1893) - On the third day of slogging through this I just gave up in disgust At the core, it's a romance. (0/5)

8. A Distant Christmas Eve by Klaudia Lukashevich (??) - A very sweet tale of a woman looking back on what a traditional Orthodox Christmas was like when she was a kid. (4/5)

9. The Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1876) - Comparable to Andersen's "Little Matchstick Girl). Very Sweet and morbid about a beggar boy and his mother dying on Christmas and reuniting in Heaven. (4/5)

10. Christmas Phantoms by Maxim Gorky (1896) - A writer finishes his Christmas story and then relates the narrative to the reader. It is the typical religious pity story of a poor beggar couple who freeze to death on their way home from begging for Christmas items/food for their family. This was good and I enjoyed it. But that was only half the story. The writer goes to bed that night and is visited by God and the phantoms of the heroes of all his stories from the past that he told of their misery and death. God chastises him about making up fiction about the poor and miserable when there is so much of it in reality to deal with. Essentially it is a morality tale. I liked its religiosity. (4/5)

11. A Lifeless Animal by Teffi (1916) - A beautifully written tragedy. A rich little girl, whose parents barely talk to her is given a stuffed ram for Christmas.Att first she is frightened of him; is it real or fake? Then the child's life changes, there are no parents anywhere, all the servants gather in her nursery to gossip, then the father orders a teacher who takes away her toys. A fairly dismal tale until it becomes a tragedy at the end. (5/5)

12. My Last Christmas by Mikhail Zoshchenko (1922) - A bit more modern than the other stories. A man relates how he and a group of people waiting for a train are duped by a man professing religion. (3/5)

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice collection of stories happening around Christmas time, by famous XIX and early XX century Russian authors. My favorites are:
-A Christmas tree and a wedding, by Dostoyevski.
-Makar’s dream, by Korolenko. This is the most uplifting of the stories, with a nice humor. I am already reading more stories by Korolenko, who was the best discovery for me.
-Christmas ghosts, by Gorki.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH: This small book contains 12 Christmas-related stories by classical Russian authors: Three by Chekhov, two by Dostoievski, one by Tolstoi, one by Gorky, and five by four less-well-known authors.

I have liked best the two stories by Dostoievski (no surprise there), specially the first one, "A Christmas Tree & a Wedding." The other one, "The Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree," reminds me a lot of "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen.

The stories by Tolstoi, Chekhov, and Korolenko are also nice.

ESPAÑOL: Este librito contiene 12 cuentos relacionados con la Navidad, escritos por autores rusos clásicos: tres de Chéjov, dos de Dostoievski, una de Tolstoi, una de Gorki y cinco de otros cuatro autores menos conocidos.

Los dos cuentos de Dostoievski son los que más me han gustado (lo que no es extraño), especialmente el primero, "Un árbol de Navidad y una boda". El otro, "El niño pequeño en el árbol de Navidad de Cristo", se parece mucho a "La pequeña cerillera" de Hans Christian Andersen.

Los cuentos de Tolstoi, Chekhov y Korolenko también son simpáticos.

[gee ☽ (IG: momoxshi) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a lot of the usual short story anthology, this is a mixed bag. They did get stories from well known Russian authors like Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Doystoyevsky but I, in my opinion, don't think they were the best from these authors.

It is interesting, however, that they placed Maxim Gorky's Christmas Phantoms right after Doystoyevsky's The Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree as the latter is a criticism of the stories exactly like the former. That's a very deliberate placement right there.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing the French edition, of course I had to put the Russian version on my list because I love reading Russian literature too. I have read Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky but have not read the other authors yet but got a good taste for my future "to read" list novels. It is interesting seeing the contrast between the French writers and the Russian when you compare these two collections. There seemed to be more hope and religious revelations with the French stories compared to the Russian stories which tell of more troubles, pain and death. I enjoyed both and even though the Russian stories were more gloomy, there were thought provoking.

*The New Year's Tree by Mikhail Zoshchenko (1939) - Children learn a lesson from their father which they never forget. (Good)

*The Boys by Anton Chekhov (1887)- School boys return home keeping to themselves and then are missing. (Good)

*Christmas Tree and a Wedding by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1848) - A young heiress and a little boy are accousted by an older man who thinks of only his bankroll. (Really liked this sad story)

*At Christmastime by Anton Chekhov (1900) -An older couple try to locate their daughter who was married 4 years ago and moved. (Great story but sad too)

*Dream of the Young Tsar by Leo Tolstoy (1894)- A kind of Dickens like Christmas Carol but of the present mostly. A young tsar and Christmastime. (Really good)

*Makar's Dream by Vladimir Korolenko (1883)- A drunkard that lives in the tundra area and his hard life and deceit and a judgement. (This I will say is my favorite and I loved the message here. I looked for more stories but nothing in Kindle and English translation. Would love to read him again.)

*Woman's Kingdom by Anton Chekhov (1893) - A young woman inherits a factory and all its problems. (This was tied with Makar's Dream but it was my second favorite. The ending was not definite so I made it to my liking which is what I do in such cases that suit me! ) LOL

*A Distant Christmas Eve by Klaudia Lukashevich (1917) -A family celebrating and no gloom at all!

*The Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1876) -A starving boy sees Christmas windows of the Yuletide and the reality of life for him is different. (Great but sad story)

*Christmas Phantoms by Maxim Gorky (1896) -A writer is visited by spirits. (Good)

*Lifeless Animal by Teffi (1916) - A little girl and her stuffed ram who she wonders if he is alive. (Horrific and terrifying - Why this disturbed me more than some stories? It is because as a young girl which is long, long ago, I could imagine being this little girl.)

*My Last Christmas by Mikhail Zoshchenko (1922)- Stranded train travelers without provisions looking forward to kindness by something else comes their way. (Very good)

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't for a second believe these are the best Russian Christmas stories. Surely several amazing Russian writers have written better ones.

[Zizeloni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas stories by famous russian writers, all more than 100 years old. Kind of hard to connect with such old stories, some were good but I got tired after a while.

[Grace RS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I want to read the other six books in the series that feature Christmas stories from various countries. Don't read this particular collection if you want a feel-good, lighthearted Christmas read: the stories here are ripe with disillusionment and bleak endings--in a word, rather Russian.
The only story that wasn't full of angst and misery is "A Distant Christmas Eve" by Klaudia Lukashevik, which is a nostalgic story for Christmases of the Russian youth. My favorite in this collection of short Russian stories is "A Lifeless Animal" by Teffi. I haven't read anything like it--it's like a Russian Rowling's "Christmas Pig." I most definitely want to read more by her. The most literary story is Chekhov's "A Woman's Kingdom," for one could write any number of essays on it, from feminism, Marxist, cultural, etc.

For the stories that are discoverable on Goodreads, I wrote individual reviews on them.

[Carmen (TheReadingTrashQueen)]

At 25%, after 5 stories, I am putting this on hold until next year. It's been very underwhelming for me so far, but some other reviews are keeping me from totally DNFing- I can always do that next year if I want to. I just don't want to bring this with me into 2021 as my first book that I'd have to force myself to finish.

[David Poltorak · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8/5

Several short Christmas/New Years stories by Russia’s renowned authors, some better than others.
I particularly liked Makar’s dream (favorite of the bunch, for its humor and flow). A Woman’s Kingdom I found intriguing, and Christmas Phantoms was morally practical/in your face.
Themes of poverty and struggle are common in these Christmas tales and aside from the few mentioned above I wasn’t able to find as much depth as I’m accustomed to in Russian literature.

Quotes:

You cannot ride far on a stolen horse.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Tis the season: broaden appreciation of that particular time

Russian tales of celebration of Christmas make a joyful entry into a year’s seasonal appreciation more welcome than usual. With the world stories hidden behind the social media and garish sales of every new goofus toy created by the apps that pass our eyes and pretend to hold meaning taking front and center, this collection of stories of how the Russians honor Christmas (at least in the old days) is so very refreshing.

These twelve stories are by well known as well as little known Russian writers and the topics in each story are different and present a smorgasbord of pleasure. The stories are THE NEW YEAR’S TREE by Mikhail Zoshchenko, THE BOYS by Anton Chekhov, A CHRISTMAS TREE AND A WEDDING by Fyodor Dostoevsky, AT CHRISTMASTIDE by Anton Chekhov, DREAM OF A YOUNG TSAR by Lev Tolstoy, MAKAR’S DREAM by Vladimir Korolenko, A WOMAN’S KINGDOM by Anton Chekhov, A DISTANT CHRISTMAS EVE by Kaudia Lukashevich, THE LITTLE BOY AT CHRIST’S CHRISTMAS TREE by Fyodor Dostoevsky, CHRISTMAS PHANTOMS by Maxim Gorky, A LIFELESS ANIMAL by Teffi, and MY LAST CHRISTMAS by Mikhail Zoshchenko.

Increase your vision and discover new authors while making Christmas even more special.

[Amanda Rogozinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a fondness for Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, or Chekhov this hardback collection of twelve stories, many making their premiere appearance in English, will be like opening a treasure box. All three of these great crafters of story appear in this work, as well as others who write with the same heartbeat. These tales take us back to a time of rugged winters with Tsars, shrewd old men, women with influence behind the spotlight, and pitiful drunkards. Despite the harsh life these stories depict they are full of compassion. Like Dickens, these tales express a yearning for a future time of good will for all men that we remember to look forward to anew during Advent. For instance, one man dies and takes a ghost-led journey of his past deeds which fall far short on golden scales. Instead of meeting with condemnation, the ruler at death’s judgment seat recognizes the hardships that have debased and shaped him. Though theologically questionable, it is a tale that asks valid questions about how we judge one another. All of the stories I had the opportunity to read were thoughtful, surprising, and distinctively Russian. They all bear re-reading.

*Sampler review copy courtesy of New Voyage Press*

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, this is a case of be careful what you wish for. I wanted to read a Christmas book that wasn't all syrupy and sticky-sweet. A co-worker at my library said, "Good luck with that! Isn't that the definition of a Christmas book." Then I found this one on the shelf.

Not syrupy.
Not sticky-sweet.

Full of sadness and death. My husband asked what did I expect from Russian stories? They were all so tragic and bitter. Well written but bleak and hopeless. Had to force myself to finish it. Kept hoping for a glimmer of light in one story at least. Many of the stories emphasized the class differences before the revolution, making it easier to understand the motivation for the adoption of communism.

Good for people who want to read classic Russian literature, feel like they are talking to Eeyore, but without any humor or lightness.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a Russian literature buff, this collection might be for you. It presents a broad appreciation of that particular time.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ardent aficionados of Russian literature would no doubt enjoy this collection more than I did. I know all literature loses something in translation, but I found most of the stories in this collection dense, with turgid plots and melodramatic depictions. Probably because nearly all the selections were set in Tsarist times. No doubt there is a dearth of "holiday stories" set during the communist era since celebrating Christmas was expressedly forbidden.

However, I did learn in the one more modern story, that the Soviet people switched from having "Christmas trees" to having "New Year's trees" to preserve the custom.


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[G L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 19th and 20th century short stories involving Christmas. Some charming, others thought-provoking. It introduced me to several authors I had not heard of, and included several favorites, like Dostoyevsky and Chekhov.
I gave it 4 stars because some if the translations were old Constance Garnett ones. I think you either love her work or gate it. Personally, I find her style rather wooden. I had to flog myself through her Chekhov.

Most of the selections are short, which makes it easy to read during a busy and distracted season.

[R.G. Ziemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the greatest stories by these Russian authors, but they do reflect on Russian culture and conditions of the 19th century - which aren't too different as described in the few Soviet-era stories. They are about Christmas, though.
The best of the lot is by Anton Chekhov, "A Woman's Kingdom", about a woman who has inherited her father's business; we see how she thinks about her situation as she tries to maintain Christmas traditions. She reminisces about her childhood and considers her future.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read up to 44% (the first six stories) and will return to this next year. My favorite story was Tolstoy’s “Dream of the Young Tsar,” which is remarkably similar to A Christmas Carol: a young leader falls asleep and a spirit takes him on a journey to see the effects his policies will have on the poor, many of which he had never considered. I also liked the two short stories from Chekhov, especially “The Boys.” Vladimir Korolenko’s “Makar’s Dream,” though, was far too long.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the most well known and beloved Russian authors are in this collection. The collection, as a whole, reminds me of a Christmas carol with the lines : "For you who bathe in fortune's ray, the world is all a holiday. The poor have only Christmas." The line is something like that anyway. These stories have a lot of the poor's Christmas, a lot of other feelings than just JOY to the World. I liked it that way.

[Kyrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was possibly the most depressing collection of stories about Christmas I've read. Yes, the authors are great, and skilled with words and painting pictures. Possibly that's why I didn't enjoy it - they made it so clear that things are really hard and a joyous time of year doesn't do much to help make things better. Drinking does, though. I don't know. Just added to seasonal depression for me.

[Sherry C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of 12 Christmas stories stated as the The greatest Russian Holiday stories of all time. Including stories by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, & Chekhov, I really enjoyed these stories and see how some may have influenced A Christmas Carol. I will definitely re-read these stories many times; and am now interested in reading similar collections. Up next: The greatest French Holiday Stories of All Time.

[Jack Daniel Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these collections—I've also read a lot of the French, Italian, and Irish collection—because each collection, each featuring some of the greatest luminaries of each tradition, really seems to distill the spirit of the selected nation's consciousness. The Russian Christmas, for instance, is a lot bleaker and more depressing than the French Christmas, which is itself a lot more secular and sensuous than the Italian Christmas, which is sublime and religious. Great reading every holiday.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what I was expecting. Most of the stories are sad, tragic even - but all set around Christmas. A few, I hoped were moving toward a happy ending, but didn't. Mostly, they ended wit the person alone, resigned to a fate they didn't want, but couldn't avoid. But the stories were well written, and maybe exactly what I needed to transition from the holidays back into work mode.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Th stories in this are not Christmas stories as we Americans would define Christmas stories. They are depressing Russian tales that take place during the Christmas season or reflect on Christmases past. A couple of them are real tearjerkers; all are suitable for grown-ups or teens rather than children.

[Daniel Rosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journey with the Russian people in the Christmas season. Stereotypical perhaps, these stories are dour, yet entertaining, sometimes tragic vignettes, but with a feeling that there is always hope somewhere to be found, whether on this earth or in the afterlife.
Not a Dickens-type of story collection, but worth it for the different point of view on the Christmas season.

[Gail Rupprecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you think like a Russian you may enjoy .

The book cover insinuates an uplifting read. However, happy endings are rarely found here.
Reading these short stories on my Christmas holiday did nothing to cheer me but they did cause me to wonder whether Russian literature realistically portrays the Russian psyche. Tragedy is the favored entertainment theme.

[John Beckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freezing and Vodka

Some of these are long, a lot of vodka and freezing death. For aspiring writers Gorky 's CHRISTMAS PHANTOMS is a warning to be read -- could work for Halloween too. A CHRISTMAS TREE AND A WEDDING by Dostoevsky is a taste of Russia. Enjoy.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection by some of Russia's best known authors. Many of the stories are not very uplifting (these are Russian authors, after all), so be forewarned. A nice collection for Russophiles.

[Chloe Sproule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge range in quality but the good were very good.
Favourites: A Christmas Tree and a Wedding (Dostoevsky), Dream of the Young Tsar (Tolstoy), Makar's Dream (Korolenko), and Woman's Kingdom (Chekov).

[Denise Cimpko-Beller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sincerely, one of the most depressing Christmas books I’ve ever read: marauding rats, being frozen to death, bilked out of $. My goodness—bleak—well written and definitely captures a cultural psyche—