pickDespite going through a Russian lit phase in my teens and 20s I had never read Turgenev until now, and was shocked by what a modern, relatable novel this was. It's the age-old story of intergenerational strife, the elder fuddy duddies content to putz along with incremental liberal reforms and the young radicals who want to burn it all down and rebuild society from scratch. Apparently this novel introduced the term "nihilism" to the masses.
"Once upon a time young people had to study; if they didn't want to pass for ignoramuses then they had to work, whether they liked it or not. But now all they need is to say 'everything in the world is garbage!' and they're home and dry. The young were delighted with the idea. Before they were just blockheads, but now they've become nihilists."
Same now as it was in 1862 ?
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
"Well, Piotr, no sight of them yet?"
pickNew translation of the Russian classic about the clash of generations and ideas. When Arkady brings his nihilist friend bazarov to his father‘s country estate, tensions rise between the college students and Arkady‘s uncle Pavel. Matter of love and romance further complicate their relationships and lead to joyous unions and tragedy. https://cannonballread.com/2022/09/gateway-to-the-russian-novel/
Fathers and Children | 
