Anna Karenina In these excerpts from Tolstoy’s classic novel, we check in on Anna, Vronsky, Levin and Kitty after all have made their respective romantic choices. None, save perhaps Kitty, are realizing the happiness they dreamed of, but at least two of them will overcome this. Fiction
Anastasia Volochkova, ballet dancer There is a Russian proverb “It is better to be born happy than pretty.” Bolshoi Prima Ballerina Anastasia Volochkova, 26, is lucky enough to be both. And young to boot. 100 Young Russians
Birch An excerpt from Darra Goldstein's new cookbook, Beyond the North Wind, in which she ruminates on the place of birch in Russian culture, food, and history. Customs Food & Drink History
Domestic Bliss Zoshchenko addresses the “women’s emancipation” effort that led to the creation of canteens, kindergartens and other social services meant to free women from traditional housework and thereby grant them a happy and dignified life. Fiction
A Traveler's Tale In this quixotic tale within a tale, Tolstoy (who himself had a history of artistic opportunism) explores the experiences of a “superfluous man” whose life spans the Civil War and Revolution, who at once longs for his happy, carefree life before 1914, while reveling in how war “fans the soul.” Fiction
Nikolai Tsvetkov, businessperson NIKoil’s success is due to its 41-year-old president, Nikolai Tsvetkov. Tsvetkov is not what they call here a “golden boy,” someone who had life served up to him on a silver platter: special schools and jobs made from patronage. Instead, Tsvetkov is a self-made man, Russian-style. 100 Young Russians
Gooseberries An excerpt from Chekhov's classic tale about the different notions of happiness. Fiction
Alexei Svistunov, publisher The 38-year-old Alexei Svistunov is the head of PARI agency, an independent company which seeks to spread the word about Russian records which the rest of the world ignores. 100 Young Russians
Sergei Pashin, judge The motto of Emeritus Jurist of Russia Sergei Pashin is encapsulated in a quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “Let us enter the court with the realization that we too are at fault.” 100 Young Russians
Oblomov An excerpt from the classic tale, where Oblomov describes his notion of true happiness. Fiction
Vyacheslav Nikonov, historian Vyacheslav Nikonov, 45, boasts a rather impressive academic and political career. In 1989 he became the youngest doctor of history ever in the USSR. 100 Young Russians
