Fathers and Sons (Modern Library Classics) Paperback – November 13, 2001

One of the best Russian novels of the nineteenth century, and a great place to start for anyone looking to dive into Russian literature. Set in mid-nineteenth century Russia, the novel tells the reader a great deal about life and society of the period, as well as the intellectual movements affecting Russian life and society. Moreover, and what makes this novel so enjoyable and easy to read for anyone, it contains universal themes about love and relationships between parents and children, and how those change as children grow and come to view their parents differently. I've read it probably a dozen times and love it as much each time. I can't recommend it enough. I assign it to my classes and students always like it too.

The father was concerned about the people his son hung out with. The son was himself concerned with his friend's strange politics. Could that have been written in the 1960s?Definitely a good (and entertaining) book!

How does one write a review on a classic novel? I'm not quite sure, but I will say that Turgenev seems to get second billing in the U.S. compared to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. That's a shame because Fathers and Sons is not only amazingly well-written but the messages and issues presented transcend just the era in which they were written. Yes, there is the overall issue of Russian society struggling with political and cultural issues, questioning what is right and wrong, and the generational disputes amongst them. However the rich characters and their inner thoughts make an already rich story even richer. This Kindle edition met expections and was easy to read as well.

Turgenev's Fathers and Sons is a rare classic novel that combines a story set in an era of social and political change in feudal Russia with a theme regarding generational conflict that has a timeless relevance to any age. His characters capture the tensions of youth filled with passion over new ideas clashing with the established ways of their elders.It is classically Russian in that the flow of the novel is driven by dialogue between the various characters rather than significant action on their part, although there is a romantic element to the story that fits perfectly as a subplot echoing the family tensions between the 2 young men and their fathers.Bazarov , whose introduction into the home of his friend Arcady sets the story in motion, is a self-proclaimed nihilist and his idealism and passion are the straw that stirs the drink of much that follows. Some of Turgenev's characters are reluctant to face the obvious changes taking place in their society and the resulting gap between modern and traditional beliefs and ways of life underly much of what drives these characters to act in the way they do.Fathers and Sons is a relatively easy book to read and enjoy when compared with the more challenging works of other Russian novelists but it is as extremely rewarding as it is accessible. I found it to be memorable, enriching and a good investment of time.

This is a classic set in mid-nineteenth century Russia, when liberal ideas of social reform were in the air, but revolution still far off. Its theme, as the title indicates, is the relationship between fathers and sons. The theme is developed in the story of two friends, one from the landed class, the other, a nihilist from a less wealthy and cultivated family who is studying to be a doctor. The treatment of the relationship is different from what one finds in more moderner literature, in that both fathers are fine men, who are warm, loving, and make enormous efforts to overcome the inevitable generation gap. Turgenev is a great writer and the book one of his best known, at least in the English speaking world.

Isn't it so true! -- and it always will be so, as it has in the past. Perhaps Baby Boomers reading this review will recall what their parents thought of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, etc. ... and what many of us, at the same time thought about the Nixonian "Establishment" *.* Who was right? I'll encourage you to answer this one.But, as to this book, it's one of the finest Russian Classics I've ever read (and I've read many -- see my listmania lists on Russian works). It's a MYTH that all Russian novels are dreary -- you can even find humor stowed away here and there in Dostoyevsky if you actually read him. You'll find this book especially upbeat, for the most part. It has its serious moments but it also conveys notable hilarity and absurdity as well, ergo, "the duel"!Two young educated men: 1) come into philosophical conflict with their respective elders, and, 2) fall in love with their respective female fancies. "It's as simple as that," as Tolstoy would say!The ending is one of the most compelling closings I've ever encountered. It's quite moving and the Hallmark of a shrewd novelist. I think that the ending, in particular, makes this work as savoury for women as it is for men, perhaps even moreso. At 157 pages, it's a pretty fast read.Michael Katz, (Professor of Slavic Languages, University of Texas), did a fine job on this particular translation -- very fluid and smooth reading. There are also some very informative, but brief, footnotes in this edition which are imperative for the reader who is not much apprised of Russian culture of this period (it takes place just prior to the elimination of Russian serfdom which happened in the early 1860s).This work is also a good warm up prequel, as some have mentioned, to the Russian Mother of All Novels: "War and Peace" (Tolstoy). However, I will point out one chief difference between the writing styles of Tolstoy and Turgenev... Tolstoy is DEEP, psychologically speaking and exudes tons of sub-plots. Turgenev is straightforward and he writes directly that to which he has witnessed in life... nothing more. It's infinitely readable to all.This is a fine novel for anyone who enjoys peeking into the daily inner-workings and inevitable peccadillos of the average family. If I have a complaint with this edition, I confess to finding myself squinting at the notably small fonts.But then, I am getting on in life and I can't see as good as I used to *.*

This is the first Russian novel I have read and was introduced to it as part of a college course I have started to attend.I was nervous about this but was completely wrong. From the first page the characters are touchingly authentic with Arkady's father desperate to see his son after so long away from home. The background of all the characters is carefully constructed and the whole novel is a profile of Russia at the time - being on the cusp of change.Throughout the story there are some wonderful set pieces of scenes in the lives of the individuals which appear in the mind almost as if they were paintings with every small detail described.I could analyse this novel for pages but much of this has been done before - all I can say is read it!I'm going to read some more of the Russian classics after this one.One thing worth mentioning though is that this version comes in an A4 format although the font is a usual size. Bit odd to read.Also this translation uses quite modern language when compared to other versions which was interesting.

It is hardly surprising that his novel has held its popularity over the years. Turgenev has the knack of bringing each one of his minor characters to life. His major characters are drawn with exquisite fineness bringing them to life warts and all. We are given hope for the future in the person of Arkady and sadness and sympathy for the current plight of everyone concerned. You will cry and laugh reading this wonderful, but do be careful with which translation you choose.

Interesting on a number of levels. Turgenev painted a vivid picture of the Russia he was experiencing at the time - the young, graduate revolutionaries versus the old guard. On another level the novel is timeless as the same sparring exists today as adolescent children rub up against the beliefs of their parents. This was an old translation but it didn't detract from the stories some translations can.

possibly the greatest of the Turgenev works. A wonderful tale about a young extremist and how irrelevant he really is.

Awesome !