Product Description

Turgenev's masterpiece about the conflict between generations is as fresh, outspoken, and exciting today as it was in when it was first published in 1862. The controversial portrait of Bazarov, the energetic, cynical, and self-assured `nihilist' who repudiates the romanticism of his elders, shook Russian society. Indeed the image of humanity liberated by science from age-old conformities and prejudices is one that can threaten establishments of any political or religious persuasion, and is especially potent in the modern era. This new translation, specially commissioned for the World's Classics, is the first to draw on Turgenev's working manuscript, which only came to light in 1988.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52245 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Timeless classic - shame about the translation
This is the story of two young men Arkady and Bazarov as they travel between the ciy, the houses of their parents, and the house of the beautiful widow Odintsova. During their journeythey quarrel with parents, fall in love and explore ideas of nihilism, feudalism and impending revolution.

What makes the novel great are the characters, real recognisable human types. Nikolai Petrovich, the good but incomptetent man, Pavel Petrovich embittered by lost youth, Odintsova, the intelligent woman trapped in a patriarchal society, Barazov the tortured but charismatic "angry young man". The real character of genius is however Arkady. Here we have a totally convincing portrait of a follower. He is enthralled by Barazov, imagines himself in love with Odintsova, and seeks to rebel against his parents, but all the time it is clear he will marry the more homely Katya and go into business with his father. As a portrait of inaccessible dreams and mundane reality it is both heart breaking and life affirming.

So all in allthoroughly recommended. That recommendation must however be for the novel. I found the transaltion, and particular the self conscious use of modern English terminology grating. It is a translation which will date more quickly that the novel.

Competition where there should only be love...
Ivan Turgenev is one of those dusty old masters of Russian literature, crowded out by Chekhov, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I found reading "Fathers and Sons" rewarding, although many of the references have gone astray in the almost 150 years since the book was written. At that time the educated classes in Russia looked towards the rest of Europe for direction - although some of this is certainly pretension and some escapism from the real and surrounding problems. The 'Explanatory Notes' do not really add a great deal, and perhaps only distract further from the true aims of the book.

Contained is a snapshot of Russian society in all its diversity, with the Russian landscape and politics in the background, but it is in the main characters and their interaction which are most satisfying. The 'Fathers' - past their prime, beyond experimentation or great endevours, but still clinging to their dignity as best they can and seeking comfort where they can. The 'Sons' - arrogantly striding towards a brighter future, so unwilling to compromise, so sure of their views and beliefs, even when they hold that nothing is worth believing in anyway! Fathers clinging to what is dear to them, and sons willing to throw everything familiar away in order to obtain something new and better. Thus there is competition where there should only be love. And so it has been down the centuries and always will be.

I fear Turgenev was writing for a Russian audience of his time, and neither he nor the translator has managed to wholly transport me back there. But some things do come through strongly......

very good read
I thought this book would be a boring dull russian saga but I was mistaken, I was hooked into this story from the begining, I found the idea easy to follow and could picture the travels in my kind, only a good book can do this without causing misinterpretation and misunderstaning let alone confusion. Highly recommended read from a story based in another country.