Nikolai Gogol: A Russian writer of Ukranian descent.  Often called the "father of modern Russian realism".  Although his early works were heavily influenced by his Ukranian upbringing, he stands firmly in the Russian tradition.  He was one of the first Russian authors to criticize his country's way of life.  --Wikipedia

Novels
Taras Bulba
Dead Souls (incomplete)
How the Two Ivans Quarrelled

Short Stories
The Cloak
St. John's Eve