They say that Mikhail Sholokhov's "And Quiet Flows the Don" is the best novel of 20th century in russian. I agree. =)



wiki:
The novel is often compared to "War and Peace" (1869) by Leo Tolstoy. Like the Tolstoy novel, "And Quiet Flows the Don" is an epic picture of Russian life during a time of crisis and examines it through political, military, romantic, and civilian lenses.
Also there is an excellent film.