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brughiera 's review for:
Fathers and Sons
by Ivan Turgenev
This is a sensitive and perceptive rendering of what has come to be known as the generation gap set in mid-nineteenth century Russia. I felt that the fathers came off rather badly as the emphasis was definitely on the sons and particularly the nihilist Bazarov. Yet Bazarov himself is portrayed as a thoroughly unpleasant character, dismissive of his friend Arkady's family and positively cruel to his own adoring parents. Despite the awe in which he is held by all, it is his own nihilism which destroys any chance of happiness he could have found in his love for Odintsova. By means of the story of the fates of the different characters, Turgenev invites reflection on what was really the way forward for society at that time, modern ways didn't necessarily bring happiness or even something that could be accepted as progress.
I read the English translation by Richard Freeborn and, while I am in no position to judge faithfulness to the original Russian, I found the interjection of anachronistic expressions, such as "mate" , "sloppy thinking", "good chap" and numerous others in Bazarov's dialogues, awkward. I realize that Bazarov was rude and did not conform to the gentlemanly standards of the family of Arkady, yet I would have been more comfortable with a less disruptive translation.
I read the English translation by Richard Freeborn and, while I am in no position to judge faithfulness to the original Russian, I found the interjection of anachronistic expressions, such as "mate" , "sloppy thinking", "good chap" and numerous others in Bazarov's dialogues, awkward. I realize that Bazarov was rude and did not conform to the gentlemanly standards of the family of Arkady, yet I would have been more comfortable with a less disruptive translation.