One of the most controversial Russian novels ever written, Fathers and Sons dramatizes the volcanic social conflicts that divided Russia just before the revolution, pitting peasants against masters, traditionalists against intellectuals, and fathers against sons. It is also a timeless depiction of the ongoing clash between generations.
When a young graduate returns home, he is accompanied—much to his father and uncle's discomfort—by a strange friend who does not acknowledge any authority and does not accept any principle on faith. Bazarov is a nihilist, representing the new class of youthful radical intelligentsia that would come to overthrow the Russian aristocracy and its values. Uncouth and forthright in his opinions, Turgenev's hero is nonetheless susceptible to love and, by that fact, doomed to unhappiness.
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"This was written in 19th century Russia, which made me worry that it was going to be turgid and boring when I checked it out of the library on a whim (as an e-book! go lapl!). But it was compelling, funny and sad. It even had essential elements of Russian novels: a duel, a death and unrequited love. Highly recommended for those who want to read a Russian novel that's finishable. The audioversion was quite good."
— alana (4 out of 5 stars)
“Stirs the mind…because everything is permeated with the most complete and most touching sincerity.”
— Dmitri Pisarev, Russian writer and social critic“No fiction writer can be read through with a steadier admiration.”
— Edmund Wilson, American writer“[A novel of] profound vitality.”
— N. N. Strakhov, Russian philosopher and literary critic“Vividly portrays the unsettled state of Russian peasantry before the revolution.”
— Masterpieces of World Literature“The subtlety and rightness of Turgenev’s technique is most clearly seen in the central character Bazarov…a prefiguration of twentieth-century man.”
— Masterpieces of World Literature“The physician Bazarov, the novel’s protagonist, is the most powerful of Turgenev’s creations.”
— Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature" An answer to an unsaid prayer. I needed this book so much at the exact moment I read it. The ending is all encompassing and brings such peace and solace. So written for our times - I swear. "
— Erin, 2/5/2014" I thought this was really pretty, and it softened the insanity Dostoevsky had just brought out in me, and even made me want to avoid him for a while. Turgenev's sincerety is moving; this is the perfect sort of book for a househusband. Arkadii then, was of course my favorite character, and how I envy him! "
— Gerald, 1/28/2014" This was fast-paced. Characters did not seem to evolve; rather, they shifted. Bazarov's nihilism was not intriguing. But I would give Tugernev another go. "
— Julie, 1/24/2014" Terrific read. I think what I love most about this novel along with Tolstoy and Doestyesky (spelling is wrong, I know) is the characters inability to be sure of anything in life, of constant change. "
— Dave, 1/23/2014" Another great piece of Russian lit. Eff you British authors. "
— Matt, 1/16/2014" I read the book in Russian and listened to an excellent audio book with a radio dramatization of the book in Russian. Loved it. Kind of provided some background to the intellectual and social turmoil of 19th century Russia. "
— Steve, 12/28/2013" If there was a meaning it was way over my head. The story was slow and even being translated from russian the vocabulary was higher than mine. I would not recommend this to anyone who does not have a good footing in russian history and sociology. "
— Kellee, 12/21/2013" One question: in the scene where Fenitchka dances with her one friend (I forget his name), was Turgenev trying to make fun of them? "
— Dan, 10/23/2013" I loved this book, the character of Madame Odintsova in particular. "
— Kricket, 7/26/2013" make sure you find a good translation. "
— Huelo, 5/1/2013" Brilliant book. Typical Russian literature setting, but far more readable than say Dostojevski. Great Story. "
— Korneel, 2/26/2013Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818–1883) was the first Russian writer to gain a wide reputation in Europe. He witnessed the February Revolution in Paris (1848), and his subsequent connection with reform groups in Russia, along with his sympathetic 1852 eulogy of Nikolai Gogol (who satirized the corrupt bureaucracy of the Russian empire), led to his arrest and one-month imprisonment in St. Petersburg. In 1879 the honorary degree of doctor of civil law was conferred upon him by the University of Oxford.
Anthony Heald, an Audie Award–winning narrator, has earned Tony nominations and an Obie Award for his theater work; appeared in television’s Law & Order, The X-Files, Miami Vice, and Boston Public; and starred as Dr. Frederick Chilton in the 1991 Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. He has also won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations.