I love Russian literature since I started reading classics. Ivan Turgenev entered my life by his most famous book, Fathers and Sons. So I wanted to read his stories as well. First Love is one of the most famous stories of the author. Unfortunately, it did not affect me as much as Fathers and Sons.
I can even say that I am bored despite it being a short book. Nevertheless, since it is remarkably better than all the ridiculous books circulating in the market, I would say read if you like Russian literature. When it comes to father-son relationships, this famous Russian author does not have any rivals.
The story begins with a group of men talking about their first loves. One of the guys, Vladimir, sets out to tell his own love story that covers the rest of the book. It is a disturbing and dark love story. Also, I couldn’t sympathize with any of the characters. Therefore, I couldn’t get into the mood. As such, I felt like I had no choice but trapped in the middle of a boring conversation.
Maybe this book is one of the books that lost something when translated. Therefore, since I cannot learn Russian, my feelings won’t change about this book. Although the language of the book is beautiful, it does not work somehow. Although it is very short, you may not be able to finish it immediately. Did you read this? What did you think?
First Love
When the down-at-heel Princess Zasyekin moves next door to the country estate of Vladimir Petrovich’s parents, he instantly and overwhelmingly falls in love with his new neighbour’s daughter, Zinaida. But the capricious young woman already has many admirers and as she plays her suitors against each other, Vladimir’s unrequited youthful passion soon turns to torment and despair – although he remains unaware of his true rival for Zinaida’s affections. Set in the world of nineteenth-century Russia’s fading aristocracy, Turgenev’s story depicts a boy’s growth of knowledge and mastery over his own heart as he awakens to the complex nature of adult love.
Ivan Turgenev
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev was a Russian novelist, short story writer, poet, playwright, translator and popularizer of Russian literature in the West
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
