Fathers and Sons / by Ivan Turgenev; trans. by Michael R. Katz

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One of Czarist Russia's most recognizable authors and a staple of the literary world in the nineteenth century, Ivan Turgenev was among many noted Russian writers to contribute significantly during the time period. Well-traveled with a degree from Oxford and holding company with the likes of Emile Zola, Henry James and Gustave Flaubert, not to mention compatriots Lermontov, Gogol, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, his book Fathers and Sons(1862) has been labeled one of the greatest novels of all time.

Following their university term in St. Petersburg, young Arkady Kirsanov and his friend Yevgeny Bazarov head home to the Kirsanov's provincial estate where Arkady's father Nikolai cheerily welcomes both. Pavel Kirsanov, Arkady's uncle, feels rather put upon, however, by the youths presence--Bazarov's in particular--and their rather unobtrusive theories on the new philosophy of "nihilism" which contrasts vigorously to the older generation's more aristocratic principles. Arkady and Bazarov decide to travel to Bazarov's parents' estate where on the way they stop off at the home of Madame Odintsova's, a libertine woman sharing the pair's altruistic views and ideologies for the new age. Bazarov soon falls hopelessly in love with Odintsova, who remains decidedly uninterested but withstands his advances for the sake of her daughter Katya, who's genuinely in love with Arkady.

Bazarov's rejection is so disturbingly felt that he remains irascible for the duration of the pair's journey and stay at his parents home, a temporary falling out between he and Arkady prompting the decision return to Arkady's where the situation is hardly better. Back at the Kirsanov estate, an irksome Pavel, feeling increasingly irritated at Bazarov's morose attitude, intrusive mannerisms and opposing viewpoints, ultimately coerces the situation into challenge of honor--a duel.

A work deeply entrenched in the social context of the day, Fathers and Sons deftly examines the cynical, disillusioned mentality of Russia's new generation in contrast to their forebears established, more patrician regime. Both ideologies are craftily undertaken by Turgenev who eventually manages to superimpose both without necessarily undermining each's significance. Bazarov's high-minded belief in a world bereft of meaning is put to shame in the face his inescapable passion for Madame Odintsova. Conversely the pompous Pavel, who simply cannot abide anyone convinced that a society should operate without the sole intentions of the aristocracy, remains obtuse to any other form of social heirarchy or way of life. The redemptive power of love trumps all of these quibbling disputes however; peace and harmony found not through philosophical initiatives, but rather in the fulfilling relationships of marriage and family.