Virgin Soil

By Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev, Ivan Tourgueniev, et al.

Book Overview

Ivan Turgenev's "Virgin Soil" plunges into the heart of 19th century Russia, a nation grappling with political unrest and the fervent desire for social change. This classic work of fiction explores the tumultuous landscape of a country on the brink, examining the revolutionary movement through the lens of compelling characters and intricate relationships. Turgenev masterfully depicts the clash between tradition and progress, giving voice to the burgeoning ideals of Russian nihilism that challenged the established order.

A historical novel rich in detail, "Virgin Soil" offers a window into a pivotal period in Russian history. Its exploration of societal upheaval and the yearning for a better future resonates across generations. This meticulously prepared edition ensures the enduring power of Turgenev's narrative remains accessible.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023066386
• ISBN13: 9781023066389
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Quintessential Turgenev

Encompassing social commentary, a (albeit fairly simplistic) love story, and a homage to Russia's beauty, this work does not fail the lover of Turgenev. Certainly this might not necessarily be the best work with which to begin one's odyssey through Turgenev, but this very effectively pulls together all the familiar elements of his writing. Turgenev is not known for his plot development, and this is again the case here: very little actually occurs. The absence of plot and of action, however, is not to say that this dry, boring drivel. Rather, Turgenev's material, this work in particular, becomes a pleasant marriage of the classic novel with the novel of ideas. His commentary, both political and human, is both trapped in the amber of history and universally relevant (a lovely dichotomy) to the human condition. "Virgin Soil" is a very fine story, and the translation is flowing and literate (having no Russian, I cannot speak to how accurately this might reflect the original).

Do not start your Turgenev tour with this

Having read all of Turgenev's major works, this would be the best one to close one's odyseesy of Turgenev works as it provides his finally achieved view of the desparate situation of then Russia and the skepticism toward the revolutionary movements aiming at social re-engineering. Story is very simple, and no significant action was involved, but a minimum knowlwedge of Russian literature, changing revolutionary movements and intelligentsia situation is required to grasp the width of the topics and issues covered.