Fathers and Sons - Turgenev, Ivan

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Résumé :
Fathers and Sons also translated more literally as Fathers and Children, is an 1862 novel by Ivan Turgenev, published in Moscow by Grachev & Co. It is one of the most acclaimed Russian novels of the 19th century. The fathers and children of the novel refers to the growing divide between the two generations of Russians, and the character Yevgeny Bazarov, a nihilist who rejects the old order. Turgenev wrote Fathers and Sons as a response to the growing cultural schism that he saw between liberals of the 1830s/1840s and the growing nihilist movement. Both the nihilists (the sons) and the 1830s liberals (the fathers) sought Western-based social change in Russia. Additionally, these two modes of thought were contrasted with the Slavophiles, who believed that Russia's path lay in its traditional spirituality. Turgenev's novel was responsible for popularizing the use of the term nihilism, which became widely used after the novel was published. Fathers and Sons might be regarded as the first wholly modern novel in Russian literature (Gogol's Dead Souls, another main contender, was referred to by the author as a poem or epic in prose as in the style of Dante's Divine Comedy, and was at any rate never completed). The novel introduces a dual character study, as seen with the gradual breakdown of Bazarov's and Arkady's nihilistic opposition to emotional display, especially in the case of Bazarov's love for Madame Odintsova. The novel is also the first Russian work to gain prominence in the Western world, eventually gaining the approval of well established novelists Gustave Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant, and Henry James. The Bolshevik revolutionary Vladimir Bazarov adopted his pseudonym from the character of Yevgeny Bazarov in this novel. (wikipedia.org)

Biographie:
Ivan Turgenev, a 19th-century Russian literary great, was known for his penetrating and empathetic portrayals of Russian society. Turgenev's masterpiece, A Desperate Character, And Other Stories, is a collection of short stories that demonstrate his deep insight of human nature and the complexity of interpersonal interactions. In this book, Turgenev delves into the complexities of Russian culture, providing poignant glances into the lives of diverse characters. A Desperate Character stands out as a captivating story that digs into the psychology of a person experiencing inner struggle, reflecting greater social and political conflicts at the period. Turgenev's stories are distinguished by a profound investigation of human emotions and a strong empathy for his characters. The author's style is both exquisite and vivid, conveying the spirit of 19th-century Russian life. The pieces in this collection, including A Month in the Country and A Quiet Backwater, offer a comprehensive perspective of Turgenev's literary abilities. His ability to express the complexity of love, social change, and the human condition cemented his reputation as a master storyteller in Russian literature. A Desperate Character, And Other Stories is a timeless classic that continues to attract readers with its profound insights and intricate narrative weave.

Sommaire:
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev was born in 1818 into a noble Russian family and grew up on their estate, Spasskoye-Lutovinovo. He studied literature and philosophy at Moscow and Saint Petersburg universities before continuing his education in Berlin. His exposure to Western European ideas deeply influenced his views on Russian society and reform.Turgenev gained recognition with A Sportsman's Sketches (1852), which criticized serfdom and fueled discussions on its abolition. His novel Fathers and Sons (1862) introduced the nihilist Bazarov, sparking intense debate about generational conflict and ideological change. Though controversial, his works played a key role in shaping Russian literary and social thought.Spending much of his life in France and Germany, Turgenev formed lasting friendships with writers like Gustave Flaubert. His love for opera singer Pauline Viardot influenced his travels and personal life. He died in 1883 in Bougival, France, leaving behind a literary legacy of social critique and psychological depth....