Reviews

Babalar ve Oğullar, by Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev

narodnokolo's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

shannon_jayne1's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I enjoyed Turgenev’s exploration of Nihilism and found the novel to be beautifully written.

themaggiemch's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a really enjoyable novel that reminded me why i love russian literature.

i don't have too much to say, but the dichotomy between the old and new generations was expressed very well. the characters were delightfully complex, as well as the relationships between them. i listened to it as an audiobook, but i'd happily reread it in paperback form!

mayaseidel's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

linc4017's review against another edition

5.0

I moved to Russia after reading the book, so that should tell you something.

gelination's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

jelenab's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

"A withered maple leaf has left its branch and is falling to the ground; its movements resemble those of a butterfly in flight. Isn't it strange? The saddest and deadest of things is yet so like the gayest and most vital of creatures?"

"Whereas I think: I’m lying here in a haystack... The tiny space I occupy is so infinitesimal in comparison with the rest of space, which I don’t occupy and which has no relation to me. And the period of time in which I’m fated to live is so insignificant beside the eternity in which I haven’t existed and won’t exist... And yet in this atom, this mathematical point, blood is circulating, a brain is working, desiring something... What chaos! What a farce!"

plan2read's review against another edition

5.0

Compact for a Russian novel - efficient with its philosophy, generous with its humanity.

greenej's review against another edition

5.0

This is a beautifully written novel about relationships transformed amidst social upheaval. The political debates about nihilism are fascinating, but ultimately it's the insight into interpersonal and intergenerational relationships that are most striking. And then there are some passages where the scene comes to life so beautifully. I feel like rereading the book immediately. Very grateful to the novelist Brandon Taylor who alerted us on twitter that this new translation was about to appear and should not be missed. I've not read other translations, so can't compare--but this was great.

mommyhale's review against another edition

4.0

I chose this book for my book club a few years ago because of the great differences the father and son have. I like Russian literature and this is a classic.