Why people recommend it
What Is to Be Done? by Nikolay Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky is a nineteenth-century Russian philosophical novel that famously explored utopian ideals and radical social reform. The book was discussed on podcasts in September and July 2024 by Vejas Liulevicius on the Lex Fridman Podcast and Pamela Paul on The Book Review. Liulevicius noted that while the text has sometimes been called the worst book ever written, it was notably one of Vladimir Lenin's favorite books. Paul similarly discussed the novel in the context of Lenin's biography, noting that the revolutionary leader was a huge fan of the work by the author Nikolai Chernyshevsky. Both commentators highlighted the historical paradox of a literary work that, despite facing mixed critical reception for its artistic merits, exerted an enormous ideological influence on revolutionary thought and nineteenth-century Russian history, shaping the intellectual framework of figures who would later alter the course of nations.
Who recommended it
- Vejas Liulevicius Discussed
- Pamela Paul Discussed
Vejas Liulevicius — 1 mention
“Among them was Nikolay Chernyshevsky, who wrote, what's been called, the worst book ever written. It was in fact one of Lenin's favorite books, in Russian it's (speaking in Russian). In English it gets translated "What is to Be Done?"”
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“Lennon was a huge fan of this novel called what is to be done which is such a funny title the author was a man named Nikolai cherneski”