Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev

 Fathers and Sons

by Ivan Turgenev explores the romantic vision of the existence as seen by older people with the one of newest generations, projected in the nihilism. Word created in this book by Turgenev, nihilism didn't recognize anything that couldn't be touched or described or lived if not under a scientific perspective. Feelings were considered a surplus of the human being.

The story is absolutely wonderful: Arkàdij the son of Nikolai Petrovic, the owner of a large, immense farm sometimes in trouble with his peasants, brings with him after the degree at the university another schoolmate, Bazarov with which he become close friend. And there is no doubt that the eccentricity of Bazarov, student of medicine, intrigues a lot the good soul of Arkàdij a devoted boy.

Nikolai Petrovic the father of Arkàdij has a certain story behind. Once lost his wife, he fell a profound pain, but under many ways has been in grade to return to the normality: he recently started a relationship with a girl, Fenecka with which he has had a son, so a brother for Arkàdij. Arkàdij doesn't live this story with bad mood. He is happy that his father is back to a normality and he rediscovers some joy in the existence.

It will be Pavel Petrovic, the uncle of Arkàdij, the black sheep of the family with a certain past that led him after all to the farm of his brother, the one who will live an opened conflictual relationship with Bazarov. Bazarov will be always nasty with him, and the feelings of these two men reciprocated.

Then the young boys decide  to move somewhere else meeting at some point Anna Odincova. Widow,  Bazarov, discovers at the end to be in love for Anna, a love that Bazarov can't accept because too irrational. Just when in his death-bed will ask to see his first and last love for another time and for a final good-bye.

In Fathers and Sons there is a beautiful description of the Russian situation at that time, and as always good heart, sociality, hospitality, compassion, true friendship, love, devotion for family and children, good time and great conversations spent together, common treats of Russian people, will make the reading one of your best ones.

Highly recommended.

Anna Maria Polidori