In Russian novels, especially those set in the imperial era, diplomats and foreign visitors are often depicted as speaking French. For example, in novels that deal with court life or international relations. These characters use French to communicate with the Russian elite, who were often bilingual in French and Russian.
One example could be in Dostoevsky's works. Although Russian is the main language, characters from a certain social class might use French phrases or be depicted as French - speakers to show their sophistication or connection to Western European culture. For instance, characters who have had a lot of exposure to Western education or those who are part of the upper - crust society in the fictional settings.
They can add an element of cultural clash. For example, when a French - speaking character interacts with a purely Russian - speaking peasant, it shows the divide between different social strata. In 'War and Peace', the French - speaking nobles sometimes struggle to understand the simple yet profound wisdom of the Russian peasants, which is an important part of the plot's exploration of different ways of life.
Popularity is a tricky thing. English novels have a global reach due to the widespread use of the English language. Many English novels are turned into movies and TV shows, which boosts their popularity. French novels are highly regarded in the literary world for their unique style, but their popularity might be more concentrated in France and some Francophone regions. Russian novels, especially the works of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, are considered masterpieces and are read by many literature lovers worldwide, but perhaps not as mainstream as English novels in some ways.
Russian novels are often more difficult to translate. The Russian language has a complex grammar system with cases and a rich vocabulary. Many Russian words have nuanced meanings that are hard to convey accurately in other languages. For example, the works of Dostoevsky are full of deep philosophical and psychological concepts that are deeply embedded in the Russian language. English and French, while also having their own complexities, are generally more familiar to Western translators and have more established translation traditions in relation to each other.
English novels often have a wide range of themes, from the social critiques in Dickens' works to the magical worlds of Rowling. They usually have a strong sense of individualism. French novels are known for their elegance and deep exploration of human nature, like in Camus' works. Russian novels are typically profound, dealing with large - scale social and moral issues, such as in Tolstoy's masterpieces.
One famous French-speaking comic book hero is Tintin. His adventures are widely loved and known around the world.
Anton Chekhov's stories often showcase realistic characters. His short stories like 'The Lady with the Dog' present characters with complex and relatable traits.
The main causes were social inequality. The first two estates had privileges while the third estate faced hardships. Also, economic problems like high taxes on the common people were a big issue.
One such hero could be 'Asterix'. He's well-known for his adventures and is quite popular in French comics.
I recommend a novel called " The Great Demon Monk of Russia." It was a mystery, ancient and modern legend. It told the story of Rasputin, known as the strongest demon monk in history, who had mysterious supernatural powers. I hope you like my recommendation.π
I recommend the two historical novels,"Red Star Fighter" and "Eagle of Eastern Europe." Red Star Fighter tells the story of two souls from different time and space meeting at the crossroads of history when the German army invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. The Eagle of Eastern Europe told the story of the rise of Osman, the fall of Byzantine, and the legend of the guardians of Eastern Europe before Russia appeared. I hope you like this fairy's recommendation. Muah ~π