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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, 2/12/2014
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" Another great piece of Russian lit. Eff you British authors. "
- Matt, 1/16/2014
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" I loved this book, the character of Madame Odintsova in particular. "
- Kricket, 7/26/2013
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" make sure you find a good translation. "
- Huelo, 5/1/2013
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" Brilliant book. Typical Russian literature setting, but far more readable than say Dostojevski. Great Story. "
- Korneel, 2/26/2013
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" Another gem of the Russian classical tradition.Clash of different ideologies,energies,personalities.The kind and loving man wins in the end, while an energetic and independent dies. "
- Nina1982, 1/30/2013
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" Highly recommend if you haven't read it already. "
- Tanyatomkins, 12/24/2012
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" A novel of idleness versus rebellion. "
- Sigi, 7/6/2012
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" Read this back in high school for extra credit, but I LOVED it. Fell in love with Turgenev's writing... "
- Holly, 4/12/2012
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" pretty good book about some dude that is a nihilist and a total dick. much like dostoevsky's demons, its interesting and useful to note that nihilists still act this way. especially when they are german. has a token russian ending "
- Nate, 1/18/2012
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" Such a great book about life, revolution and change. The prose was so keen as to rise a flame inside, it gave me a window into the time it was written. It also seemed to speak for today. I loved the book. "
- Gregory, 1/6/2012
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" completely irrelevant, but this was the book I was reading when the fuckups flew the airplanes into the World Trade Center. "
- S., 8/10/2011
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" A comforting book, possibly because their disputes are so far removed from ours, so quaint. The ending was nice. Also, Turgenev puts his characters together so well that he never has to identify who's talking in dialog. "
- erik, 6/27/2011
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" I love the humanity of 19th-century novels. Turgenev's fathers and sons fuss and misunderstand each other, philosophies are exchanged, and we end with two weddings and a tragic death. Great introduction by Alain de Botton in the OUP edition I read. Could have wished for a better translation.
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- Caro, 6/19/2011
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" I read this as a senior in high school with my English Literature and Composition class. I enjoyed it and the discussions we had.
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- Alicia, 6/13/2011
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" Snoozed. And I'm a Russian history major. Go figure.
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- Victoria, 6/12/2011
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" ??af??eta? ? ?t?st????ßs?? s???? st?? ????????ef ?a? de? ????ta? ?a µ?? d?aß?s?.. ????? ?d?a?te?? p????, ap?? a??st?????µa!
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- maitr+margarita, 6/11/2011
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" I listened to this book on tape, which I liked because I wouldn't have been able to keep track of the Russian names otherwise. I'm still trying to understand all the ideas in this novel, but I really liked it for whatever reason. The characters were really interesting.
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- Lalove, 5/29/2011
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" Fantastic book. Easily the best 19th century work of literature that I have read. It's about an intense conflict of ideas...the older generation's traditionalist/aristocratic/bourgeois tendencies against the younger generation's nihilist/liberalist yearnings.
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- Peter, 5/25/2011
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" enjoying the superfluous man!The ending made me cry.This book explores the unrequited love between parents and the children, for me a wow moment.
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- Bill, 5/17/2011
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" Read this in high school and liked it. My first taste of nihilism and it fascinated me.
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- Rissi, 5/11/2011
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" Russians knew their way around writing. And seing the opposition between the traditional views on life of the old generation and the subversive new views of the new generation it's always stimulating.
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- Mircea, 4/15/2011
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" Brilliant book. Typical Russian literature setting, but far more readable than say Dostojevski. Great Story.
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- Korneel, 4/10/2011
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" The clash between generations, as told through the lens of Russian Nihilism during the 19th century.
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- Matthew, 4/10/2011
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