Russian novel effect

English Etymology en Some Russian literary works, such as Tolstoy's War and Peace, are known for their length and number of characters with names unfamiliar to English readers. Proper noun 1 en literature rare The difficulty experienced by English readers in distinguishing multiple people or characters with non-English names, leading to confusion. en Foreign names were simplified by the author to mitigate the Russian novel effect. en 2010 Lesley Hazleton After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam Note on Usage and Spelling https://www.google.com/books/edition/After_the_Prophet/uoIcVkLxeewC Throughout this book, I have used first names for major figures rather than full names, in order to avoid the "Russian novel effect," where English readers suffer the confusion of multiple unfamiliar names. Thus, for instance, I have used Ali instead of Ali ibn Abu Talib, Aisha instead of Aisha bint Abu Bakr, Omar instead of Omar ibn al-Khattab, and so on. Doubleday en 2013 Fiona Maddocks Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of Her Age https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hildegard_of_Bingen/hk3auT21pekC Preface I have listed a glossary of key people and places. If only to avoid the Russian novel effect, I urge readers to glance at these at the start. Faber & Faber en 2021 Jalal Moughania Ali: The Elixir of Love Arabic Spelling and Usage Note I have also limited the use of their full names, such as Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatima bint Muhammad, to avoid the "Russian novel effect," keeping in mind the English reader who may be more easily confused with multiple unfamiliar names. Mainstay Foundation