It is the first modern Russian drama to address the topic of sects, relevant now as never before in our world of mass culture.

One of the most underestimated Soviet filmmakers was a true visionary and genius revered by international film scholars for his fierce sense of beauty and ethereal quality of imagery.

Not a female job? Meet the beautiful Russian ladies in uniform who fight crime and maintain safety on the streets.

How did Russians treat marital infidelity before the time of Peter the Great? Where did they stand on abortions? And how free was a woman’s sexual life in those days anyway?

If you think reading history books is boring, maybe it’s better to try learning about Russian history via novels. From the 16th to the 20th centuries, here are 10 books that capture the reality of the Russian past.