Fathers and Children

In Ivan Turgenev's acclaimed 1862 novel, Fathers and Sons, the narrative explores the generational divide in 19th-century Russia through the character of Yevgeny Bazarov, a nihilist challenging the established order. Written as a response to the cultural schism between the liberal views of the 1830s-1840s and the emerging nihilist movement, the story contrasts these ideologies with the traditional values of the Slavophiles. Recognized as a seminal work in Russian literature, Fathers and Sons sparked significant debate upon its release, earning Turgenev admiration from literary giants like Flaubert and Henry James.