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susyq's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
milami's review against another edition
2.5
While I went into this book with high expectations, having heard many people praise it, I found the overall story quite underwhelming and anticlimactic.
The characters felt bland, the storyline was boring, and at times, outright strange. I felt that if the author had emphasized different aspects, it would have been much more engaging.
It's a story about first love, but that love is reduced to a young boy constantly confused by his feelings and the events around him. I believe the story could have been stronger if it focused more on Zinaida’s character—why she acted so erratically, experienced mood swings, and the reality of being groomed by a predatory older man. This would have made for a powerful commentary on such a difficult subject. Instead, even though the story revolves around first love, I struggled to believe in the emotions presented, largely because the characters lacked chemistry.
While the author skillfully portrays Vladimir's inner thoughts and his emotional growth, he fails to make us connect with the other characters or the story itself. My dominant emotion while reading was disgust, especially as the focus shifted to Vladimir's father's affair, and I don't think that's what Turgenev was going for, considering the book's title.
Ironically, the most realistic part of that story is there is a grown man in there being a creep (man are loathsome - what else is new).
Overall, Turgenev certainly had a way with words and expressed his ideas beautifully, but in my opinion, this was not his best work. It shouldn't be the one to gain popularity, as he had much more to offer.
The characters felt bland, the storyline was boring, and at times, outright strange. I felt that if the author had emphasized different aspects, it would have been much more engaging.
It's a story about first love, but that love is reduced to a young boy constantly confused by his feelings and the events around him. I believe the story could have been stronger if it focused more on Zinaida’s character—why she acted so erratically, experienced mood swings, and the reality of being groomed by a predatory older man. This would have made for a powerful commentary on such a difficult subject. Instead, even though the story revolves around first love, I struggled to believe in the emotions presented, largely because the characters lacked chemistry.
While the author skillfully portrays Vladimir's inner thoughts and his emotional growth, he fails to make us connect with the other characters or the story itself. My dominant emotion while reading was disgust, especially as the focus shifted to Vladimir's father's affair, and I don't think that's what Turgenev was going for, considering the book's title.
Ironically, the most realistic part of that story is there is a grown man in there being a creep (man are loathsome - what else is new).
Overall, Turgenev certainly had a way with words and expressed his ideas beautifully, but in my opinion, this was not his best work. It shouldn't be the one to gain popularity, as he had much more to offer.
inkwitchery's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first novella I’ve read from Ivan Turgenev. I found it quite randomly whilst browsing the free books selections on my eReader app. The synopsis piqued my interest right away as I’ve a soft spot for love stories. It didn’t take long for me read and I quite enjoyed it.
First Love is a about Vladimir, a 16 year old boy falling in love for the first time with his new neighbor, a beautiful princess name Zenaida. Unfortunately for Vladimir, his love is unrequited. Thus we as readers experience Vladamir’s roller coaster of emotions; hope, excitement, jealousy, confusion, rage, anxiety, and back again as he is held captive by Zenaida’s capricious ways. I enjoyed Turgenev’s convincing writing style. He managed to pack quite a story in less than 130 pages! My heart went out to Vladimir when he figures out who Zenaida’s heart belongs to.
The last chapter is what I really loved about this book. In it, we’re reminded of love’s role in life and death. I highly recommend this novella and it’s one that will certainly stay with you for a while.
First Love is a about Vladimir, a 16 year old boy falling in love for the first time with his new neighbor, a beautiful princess name Zenaida. Unfortunately for Vladimir, his love is unrequited. Thus we as readers experience Vladamir’s roller coaster of emotions; hope, excitement, jealousy, confusion, rage, anxiety, and back again as he is held captive by Zenaida’s capricious ways. I enjoyed Turgenev’s convincing writing style. He managed to pack quite a story in less than 130 pages! My heart went out to Vladimir when he figures out who Zenaida’s heart belongs to.
The last chapter is what I really loved about this book. In it, we’re reminded of love’s role in life and death. I highly recommend this novella and it’s one that will certainly stay with you for a while.
gabbuz's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first encounter with Turgenev. Just like the main character of this book, I fell in love.
Deeply, too.
Wow. What a range of emotions I have gone through! My heart could hardly take all the twists, uncertainty, and excitement.
The ending felt like a harsh slap of reality. That’s exactly what I adore about Russian Literature — realism.
Turgenev writes beautifully and clearly. His sentences flow effortlessly and there is not one unnecessary word in them. Whatever expectations I had, they were exceeded.
I absolutely recommend it. It is impossible to stop reading once you start.
“What I experienced then, I remember, was something similar to what a man must feel when first given an official post. I had ceased to be simply a young boy; I was someone in love. I say that my passion began from that day; and I might add that my suffering began on that day too.”
Deeply, too.
Wow. What a range of emotions I have gone through! My heart could hardly take all the twists, uncertainty, and excitement.
The ending felt like a harsh slap of reality. That’s exactly what I adore about Russian Literature — realism.
Turgenev writes beautifully and clearly. His sentences flow effortlessly and there is not one unnecessary word in them. Whatever expectations I had, they were exceeded.
I absolutely recommend it. It is impossible to stop reading once you start.
“What I experienced then, I remember, was something similar to what a man must feel when first given an official post. I had ceased to be simply a young boy; I was someone in love. I say that my passion began from that day; and I might add that my suffering began on that day too.”
mya_jt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bluereen's review against another edition
3.0
"There is a sweetness in being the sole source, the autocratic and irresponsible cause of the greatest joy and profoundest pain to another"
***
A psychological inquiry into a 16-year-old boy's—quite literally, experience of first love. Feelings of infatuation, jealousy, and borderline obsession are all captured perfectly in this short novel. It also gives readers a glimpse of courtship and its significance to Russian society. Contrary to the stereotypical submissive woman, Princess Zinaïda is bold and relentless. She doesn't think twice about leading her suitors on and manipulating the young boy. I like how Turgenev sustained the tense atmosphere throughout; he sprinkles in some noteworthy reflections, but overall, there was an unsettling feeling as I didn't know how the events would turn out.
***
A psychological inquiry into a 16-year-old boy's—quite literally, experience of first love. Feelings of infatuation, jealousy, and borderline obsession are all captured perfectly in this short novel. It also gives readers a glimpse of courtship and its significance to Russian society. Contrary to the stereotypical submissive woman, Princess Zinaïda is bold and relentless. She doesn't think twice about leading her suitors on and manipulating the young boy. I like how Turgenev sustained the tense atmosphere throughout; he sprinkles in some noteworthy reflections, but overall, there was an unsettling feeling as I didn't know how the events would turn out.
booktrotter_bxl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-3.7*
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"Dat is het mooie van poëzie: zij zegt ons dingen die niet bestaan, en die niet alleen beter zijn dan het bestaande, maar zelfs meer op de waarheid lijken"
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"Dat is het mooie van poëzie: zij zegt ons dingen die niet bestaan, en die niet alleen beter zijn dan het bestaande, maar zelfs meer op de waarheid lijken"
ryanklindsay's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25