Which novel by a Russian author was first published in the literary journal "The Russian Messenger" and was used by  American educational web series Thug Notes, which had their pilot episode centered on it?
Thug Notes Thug Notes is an American educational web series that summarizes and analyzes various literary works in a comedic manner. "Thug Notes" first aired on June 3, 2013, on YouTube, with the pilot episode centered on "Crime and Punishment". The host of the series is Sparky Sweets, Ph.D., portrayed by actor and comedian Greg Edwards.
Olesya (Kuprin) Olesya (Russian: Олеся ) is a novelette by Alexander Kuprin written in late 1897 – early 1898 and serialized in "Kievlyanin" newspaper in October 30 – November 17, 1898. "Olesya", the most acclaimed piece of his Polesye cycle, did much to build Kuprin's literary reputation and warranted his move to Saint Petersburg.