Best Russian detective novels: Which ones are considered the best and why?

One of the best Russian short stories is 'The Lady with the Dog' by Anton Chekhov. It's great because it realistically portrays a love affair in a society full of constraints. The characters' emotions are subtly and deeply depicted, making the readers feel their inner turmoil.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' series can also be considered among the best. Holmes, with his brilliant deductive reasoning, has become an iconic detective. Each story in the series presents a unique mystery for him to solve, and the way he pieces together the clues is fascinating. For example, in 'A Study in Scarlet', we see how he starts his detective career and his unique approach to solving crimes.

One of the top noir detective novels is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its hard - boiled detective Sam Spade and the complex search for a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep'. It features Philip Marlowe and has a convoluted plot full of mystery and crime in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Then there's 'Laura' by Vera Caspary, which has a unique narrative structure and a great sense of atmosphere.

Definitely 'Bleak House'. The story weaves together multiple plots and characters in a complex web, highlighting the inefficiency of the legal system in Dickens' time. 'Hard Times' is also a top - notch work as it criticizes the harsh industrial society and its effects on people, with characters like Gradgrind representing the cold, utilitarian values.

Another great one is 'Raag Darbari' by Shrilal Shukla. This novel gives a satirical view of rural Indian society during a certain historical period. It delves into the power dynamics, caste system, and the common man's struggle within the village setting. The characters are vividly drawn, and it provides a deep understanding of the social fabric of that era.

Among the top ten Russian novels, 'Dead Souls' by Nikolai Gogol is quite remarkable. It satirizes the Russian society of its time, especially the bureaucracy and the land - owning class. 'Eugene Onegin' by Alexander Pushkin is a classic that influenced many later Russian writers. Its portrayal of Russian aristocracy and the character of Onegin himself are very interesting. These novels are part of the top ten because they have made a lasting impact on Russian literature and have been widely read and studied around the world.

'So I'm a Spider, So What?' is also a top - notch reincarnation light novel. The story follows a girl who is reincarnated as a spider in a dungeon. It's fascinating as it shows her growth from a weak spiderling to a powerful entity. The novel also has a great sense of humor and unique art style in its manga adaptation.

Some of the best Japanese light novels include 'Sword Art Online'. It's popular because it combines a virtual reality game world with exciting action and a touch of romance. The concept of being trapped in a game world was really novel at the time of its release.

'Srikanto' by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay is also a remarkable Bangla romantic novel. Srikanto's numerous love affairs and his journey through different relationships give a deep insight into human emotions and the nature of love. The way the author presents the different shades of love, from the passionate to the platonic, makes it a great read for those interested in Bangla romantic literature.

Sherlock Holmes stories, like 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', are also top - notch. Holmes' brilliant deductive reasoning makes it exciting. He can piece together small clues that others overlook. The atmosphere in the Baskerville case, with the moors and the legend of the hound, adds to the mystery and horror elements.