First published in 1862, âFathers and Sonsâ is perhaps the most famous novel by renowned Russian author Ivan Turgenev. Turgenev had become increasingly aware of the widening schism at the time between liberals and the growing nihilist movement, which became his focus for this story. The tale follows the return of University students Bazarov and Kirsanov to their small village home, where they find their newly acquired worldviews coming into direct conflict with the beliefs of the previous generation. Both nostalgic and critical in tone, this timeless novel caused a stir upon its publication, and remains an acclaimed classic of Russian 19th century literature.
Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883) was a Russian novelist, playwright, poet, and short story writer. Born in Oryol, Turgenev spent time studying at the University of Moscow, the University of St. Petersburg, and the University of Berlin. His 1852 collection of short stories, âA Sportsmanâs Sketchesâ catapulted him into the literary limelight - a series of observations on nature and the evils of serfdom, Turgenev regarded it as one of his most important moral works. In 1854 amidst an oppressive atmosphere in Russia for writers and artists, Turgenev emigrated to Western Europe where he would spend a great deal of time throughout the latter part of his life, and which would lead to his belief in Russiaâs need to westernise â an outlook which set him apart from his contemporaries Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Some of Turgenevâs best-known works include âRudinâ, âA Nest of the Gentryâ and âFathers and Sonsâ. He died in Paris in 1883.