Ivan Sergejevič Turgenev Libri

Set against the backdrop of feudal Russia, the collection features twenty-five evocative stories that explore life on a manor through the lens of exile. The narratives delve into the complex relationships and conflicts between serfs and landlords, highlighting the struggles and resilience of those living under oppressive conditions. Each story is crafted with lyrical prose, offering a profound insight into the human experience during a tumultuous period in history.

At the end of a dinner party, the remaining guests drink wine and tell stories of their first love. For one of them, it will be a dark journey into his past, reawakening unbearable memories of his obsession with the beautiful Zinaida; and the cruelty and betrayal that followed . . . United by the theme of love, the writings in the Great Loves series span over two thousand years and vastly different worlds. Readers will be introduced to love's endlessly fascinating possibilities and extremities- romantic love, platonic love, erotic love, gay love, virginal love, adulterous love, parental love, filial love, nostalgic love, unrequited love, illicit love, not to mention lost love, twisted and obsessional love . . ..

Fathers and Sons stands out as a pivotal work in 19th-century literature, reflecting Turgenev's belief in the necessity for Russia to adopt Western ideals for progress. The novel explores generational conflict, particularly between traditional values and emerging nihilism, mirroring Turgenev's own opposition to serfdom and his admiration for German society. Renowned for his insightful characterizations and social commentary, Turgenev also gained recognition through his earlier work, A Sportsman's Sketches, and various short novels that delve into the complexities of human experience.

This collection brings together six of Turgenev's best-known `long' short stories, in which he turns his skills of psychological observation and black comedy to subjects as diverse as the tyranny of serfdom, love, and revenge on the Russian steppes. These stories all display the elegance and clarity of Turgenev's finest writing.