Rudin & On the Eve

by Ivan Turgenev, David McDuff (Translator)

In Rudin (1855) and On The Eve (1859), Turgenev portrays through tales of passionate, problematic love the conflicts of cultural loyalty and national identity at the heart of nineteenth century Russia. Both novels reflect Turgenev's concern with the failings of Russia's educated class, the only class he believed was capable of building a civilized and humane Russia based on the principles of European enlightenment. The only joint edition available, this fluent translation does full justice to Turgenev's delicate and emotional style.

Genres: Russia, Russian Literature

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1855

About the author

Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (Cyrillic: Иван Сергеевич Тургенев) was a novelist, poet, and dramatist, and now ranks as one of the towering figures of Russian literature. His major works include the short-story collection A Sportsman’s Sketches (1852) and the novels Rudin (1856), Home of the Gentry (1859), On the Eve (1860), and Fathers and Sons (1862).

These works offer realistic, affectionate portrayals of the Russian peasantry and penetrating studies of the Russian intelligentsia who were attempting to move the country into a new age. His masterpiece, Fathers and Sons, is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century.

Turgenev was a contemporary with Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy. While these wrote about church and religion, Turgenev was more concerned with the movement toward social reform in Russia.

Reviews

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fell in love with FIRST LOVE and determined to read more Turgenev. I was drawn to Rudin because the title character was inspired by Hamlet. ON THE EVE received a recent BBC radio adaptation, and so was of additional interest. Alas, most characters in both novellas do not seem very real, and if they do not seem real I find it difficult to care about them. I think that Turgenev must have learned to create characters who were more than plot functions as he developed as a writer. These stories are unsatisfying.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little mid 19th century Russian classic. These were the first works I have read from Turgenev, and now I can understand why his reputation has stood the tests of time. As far as shedding light on the sensitive Slavic soul, and exposing the dark side of that same Slavic nature, he does a incisive job of it. His characterizations are masterful, humane, and pointed. Although overshadowed by Tolstoy & Dostoyevsky in his later years, if you have already had your fill of those two undisputed masters, you can discover Turgenev as a little jewel.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Turgenev so far. He finally discovered politics and history, and became to interrogate how structures shape human emotions.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made it before it needs to come back! I intend to read this again after burying myself in more 19th c. erudition.

It has everything to do with Russian history: at least the state of matters in Russia in the mid-1800's, which is smack-dab in the middle of what I consider my historical expertise, outside of China.

This made me wish I understood human culture a little better, though.

One may consider the pacing slow, but it affords the mind a chance to rest and appreciate all the facets of history one could be missing.
I consider this collection worth pondering over an entire samovar's worth of tea.

[Paul Jellinek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turgenev's writing is always subtle and his descriptions seem to shimmer with a light of their own, but these two early works didn't move me in quite the way that his later "Home of the Gentry" or "Fathers and Sons" did--or his first book, "Sketches From a Hunter's Album."

[Geoffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really bored me.

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring Russian aristocrats boring each other.