65 pages 2 hours read

Ivan Turgenev

Fathers And Sons

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1862

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev depicts the ideological conflict between generations in 1860s Russia, as Arkady Kirsanov returns home with his nihilist friend, Evgeny Bazarov. The narrative explores class tensions, evolving social structures, and personal relationships, culminating in significant shifts for each character. The story contains themes of death, class struggle, and family scandal.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Turgenev's Fathers and Sons is widely praised for its rich exploration of generational conflict and societal change in 19th-century Russia. Critics commend its nuanced characters and philosophical depth but note its occasionally slow pacing. Some find the resolution unsatisfying, yet it remains an essential read for its historical context and intellectual engagement.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fathers And Sons?

Readers intrigued by generational conflict, Russian literature, and societal change will appreciate Ivan Turgenev's Fathers And Sons. Comparable to Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, this novel suits those who relish deep character studies and philosophical discourse.

RecommendedReading Age

15+years

Lexile Level

980L

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Themes

Society: Class

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Society: Nation