Fathers and Sons (Oxford World's Classics)

The basic plot of this book, as the title claims, is about Fathers and Sons. The relationship between them and their thoughts and feelings of each other and themselves. This book is one of my favorites and honestly one of the more underrated of my favorites.On the surface, it's rather simple, sons wanting to be different than their fathers, and fathers wanting to understand and relate to their sons who they feel they've lost touch with. Although this aspect of the story is straightforward, it's written so masterfully as to be perfectly relatable and relevant a century and half later.The first time I read this book, I felt like it brought me closer to my father and understanding him, despite our wide differences of thought and opinion. I was so impressed by that, I didn't really give much else in the novel a lot of thought.That was a mistake. There's so much going on in this relatively short novel. It's about the simplistic practicality of nihilism versus the beautiful complexity of romanticism. It's about love, both the romantic and the familial. It's about pride and how it can destroy you if you aren't careful. It's about accepting the differences of those you care about and moving forward. It's about loss and mourning. Basically, it's a perfectly accurate representation of life.Every character feels relatable and easily understood. The writing is incredibly concise for the time in which it was written, and it conveys so much meaning with so few words. The novel is even often hilarious; the duel in particular showing the ludicrous side of pride in a way that made me laugh loudly to myself.It made me think about myself, life, and those I care about. I've always been of the opinion that truly great fiction makes you think, not tells you what to think, and Fathers and Sons does it as well as any book I've had to joy of reading.

“Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Turgenev, published in 1862, takes place in “Old Russia” with its horse-drawn vehicles and serf-society, but it is as current today as it was groundbreaking then. The older (the Fathers’) generation is seen as behind the times, too conservative, or too liberal. Nihilism was popularized by this novel. The younger generation portrays itself as worldly, sophisticated, and hip. The sons are often highly critical of the fathers. The social politics foretell the eventual revolution to come 65 years later.Though most of the characters are “old money”, landed pseudo-aristocrats and Russian military in background (and reasonably well educated – at least the men) thus giving the reader a view of Russian life from their perspective, the thrust of the novel illuminates the age-old differences between the generations and the gaps between science and superstition.“Fathers and Sons” is not a sweeping epic tome that launches you into the great endless Russian landscape. Rather, it’s short, about 220 pages, and yet is filled with adventure, great characters, a little humor, personal triumphs and tragedy, to say nothing of the sounds, smells, tastes, travels, food and drink of the day. Thus, it is tidy and centered only on the story of the particular fathers and sons. It’s a sumptuous brief novel which reads exceedingly well and quickly. The translation is modern and apt. Each of the 2 sons (who are great friends in their 20’s at the time of the novel) are as different as can be. At first for during the initial 40 or 50 pages or so, I began to think the 2 young men (the sons) were “more” than just pals. I was wrong about that and glad for my mistake. Their growing pains and pleasures, constrained by culture and protocol of the time, seem normal and universal by the end of the story. One — Arkady Kirsanov – eventually marries happily and the other – Yevgeny Bazarov, the nihilist …. well, you’ll have to read it to find out.Not one page disappoints. “Fathers and Sons” is true treasure to discover and devour. It’s a 5 for sure, a classic.

This is written in a typical Russian style. It can seem dragged out in contrast with English novels of the same period. Overall it is a good read if one is prepared for the style.

I love the Russian novels between 1840 and 1880. They have an intellectual depth lacking in the pop fiction of today. Dead Souls by Gogol, Fathers and Sons by Turgenev, War and Peace as well as Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Crime and Punishment as well as Brothers Karamozov by Dostoyevsky -- these are serious giants no literary library should lack. I confess I find this one the weakest of the six and yet stronger than any novel of the past fifty years, with the exception of Name of the Rose by Eco. The clash of generations, the arrogance of young upstarts who aspire to liquidate the culture of the past, hypocrisy, the family -- these are examined closely.

One of the finest books I’ve read, on par I would say with Turgenev’s “A Sportsman’s Notebook” and just behind the perfection that is Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”.This short novel, it’s stunning characters, and the inherent conflict of the younger new ways breaking loudly through the quaintness of the older views of the prior generation are no less relevant now than in mid-nineteenth century Russia. This plot will likely always remain fresh and relevant.

I had read many references saying that Ivan Turgenev was one of the first literary references to nihilism, while this may be true and the word nihilism is used in the book a lot it does not actually affect or shed any light on nihilism. Arkady and his friend Bazarov go home after completing the equivalent of college to visit their respective fathers and for the most part get along with everyone in a respectful and boring way. Arkady's friend does in fact argue with Arkady's uncle and that is really the only point of contention in the whole book.Yes a few things happen but the book is mostly derivative of itself. Tolstoy was to find it so boring his relationship with Turgenev was temporarily halted. I kind of see the reason why. Mercifully short. As always with Oxford world classics plenty of endnotes.If you want a good book on nihilism look at Dostoevsky Demons/Devils.

Book arrived in perfect condition. Superb authorship.

Excellent read.

Excellent edition for this classic! The explanatory notes, the appendix and the introduction by Richard Freeborn are phenomenal!One thing worth mentioning is that the text size is small it may not be comfortable for some readers, for me it was fine I can’t complain I love so much the edition so much. I highly recommend it!

Great work!

Fathers and Sons might have been written more than 150 years ago, but it's as relevant today as it must have been then. The writing is effective but not showy. It's an outstanding book and a must-read for all book lovers.