A House of Gentlefolk (eBook)

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev (1818–1883) was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright, known for his rich depiction of the Russian society during the nineteenth century. A key figure in Russian realism, Turgenev's works often explored themes such as the conflict between generations and the plight of Russia's serfs—a class of peasants under feudal servitude. His nuanced portrayal of social dynamics and individual psychologies has made him an enduring figure in literature. 'A House of Gentlefolk', also known as 'Home of the Gentry', is one of his seminal works, published in 1859. This novel focuses on the aristocrat Fyodor Ivanych Lavretsky, who returns to Russia after a disillusioning sojourn in Europe, only to confront an unfaithful wife and an unexpected love. The poignancy with which Turgenev writes of Lavretsky's nostalgic yearning for a meaningful life has been highly acclaimed. Turgenev's prose often wove poetic and emotionally-charged narratives, while employing a more subdued, elegiac timbre than some of his contemporaries. His keen observation, combined with his subtle critique of social structures, contributed to the incremental shifts in the intellectual currents of his time. Turgenev's influence extended beyond literature; his works are credited with influencing public opinion in favor of the emancipation of the serfs in 1861. Though sometimes overshadowed by contemporaries like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, Turgenev's artistry and ideological concerns resonate profoundly within the canon of Russian literature.