One of the most popular Russian novels of the nineteenth century, Turgenev's 1859 story of the offspring of an aristocratic father and serf mother mirrors his own life. Fyodor Ivanych Lavretsky experiences love and betrayal in Paris, and tragically ironic twists of fate upon his return home. Presented here in Constance Garnett's English translation.

The first major writing by Turgenev that gained him recognition. The stories in this collection were written based on Turgenev's own observations while hunting at his mothers' estate. This work exposed many injustices of serfdom and led to Turgenev's house arrest and eventual abolishment of serfdom in Russia. A fine example of realist tradition in Russian literature. Read in English (unabridged)

First published in 1862, Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" is widely considered to be the author's greatest literary achievement. It is a novel about the clash of ideologies of two generations. The older generation, the fathers, represents an upper class whose power and influence is fading and giving way to the younger generation, the sons, who represent an increasing objection to the status quo. This conflict is embodied in the characters of Arkady...

'Mumu’ is, a psychological story by Ivan Turgenev about a deaf and dumb yard-keeper Gerasim, who has to separate with his beloved and to drown his only friend, a dog just because of the mistress' caprice. The author sympathizes with a simple and kind Gerasim, and his mistress is depicted as a cruel and cinical, capricious person.

On the Eve is the third novel by famous Russian writer Ivan Turgenev, best known for his short stories and the novel Fathers and Sons. Turgenev embellishes this love story with observations on middle class life and interposes some art and philosophy. The story revolves around Elena, a girl with a very affected mother and a father who is a retired guards lieutenant and keeps a mistress. On the eve of the Crimean War, Elena is pursued by a free-spirited...

"Fathers and Sons" is not only a portrait of individual characters but also a reflection of the broader societal changes taking place in 19th-century Russia. Turgenev's narrative captures the tension between traditional aristocratic values and the rise of revolutionary ideas that would shape the course of Russian history. He offers a poignant critique of both generations, showcasing their strengths, weaknesses, and their struggle to adapt to the shifting...

First published in 1860, 'First Love' is a novella by Ivan Turgenev, a Russian novelist, short story writer, poet, playwright, translator and popularizer of Russian literature in the West. It is one of his most popular works of short fiction. Some criticized its light subject matter that did not touch upon any of the pressing social and political issues of the day. But, it had its many admirers, including the French novelist Gustave Flaubert, who...

The story follows a young man and a young woman, torn between love and politics. They struggle to make headway against the stifling conventions of provincial life, complacency of the powerful, and the misery of the powerless.

Lavretsky pursues an education in Moscow, and while he is studying there, he falls in love with a beautiful young woman Varvara. The two move to Paris, where Varvara becomes a very popular salon hostess and begins an affair with one of her frequent visitors. Lavretsky learns of the affair only when he discovers a note written to her by her lover. Shocked by her betrayal, he severs all contact with her and returns to his family estate.

It's hard to die at twenty without having known love… An intriguing confession of doctor's romantic involvement with a beautiful 20 year old patient. Followed by Turgenev's exquisite, often meditative descriptions of Russian countryside and mysterious herbalist Kassyan infatuated with Gamayane, a prophetic bird of Russian folklore, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The book includes 14 stories from The Hunting Sketches collection.