The Minor

The MedиаКнига Studio presents an audiobook of the famous play-comedy of manners “The Undergrowth” by one of the greatest Russian playwright classics, Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin. The work is included in the list of compulsory school curriculum readings for grades 7 and 8. The book is read by a popular radio host and well-known voice dubbing actress Maya Romanova.

“Generally speaking, for me Kantemir and Fonvizin—especially the latter—are the most interesting writers of the first periods of our literature: they don’t talk to me about lofty primary things on the occasion of ridiculous illuminations, but about living reality—historically existing rights of society,” V. G. Belinsky.

“Back in the old years,
Satires’ bold ruler,
Was Fonvizin—friend of freedom—
And the quick-witted Knyazhnin…” from the novel “Eugene Onegin” by A. S. Pushkin.

“In the works of this writer, the demonic beginning of sarcasm and indignation first emerged—something destined from then on to permeate all Russian literature, becoming the dominant trend in it,” A. I. Herzen.