Superb introductions to Turgenev's social perception, rich characterization, and narrative command: First Love (1860), a semi-autobiographical novella, and The Diary of a Superfluous Man (1850), the fascinating tale of a Russian Hamlet.

Driven to his deathbed by an incurable disease, the thirty-year-old impoverished gentleman Chulkaturin decides to write a diary looking back on his short life. After describing his youthful disillusionment and his family's fall from grace and loss of status, the narrative focuses on his love for Liza, the daughter of a senior civil servant, his rivalry with the dashing Prince N. and his ensuing humiliation. These pages helped establish the archetype of the "e;superfluous man"e;, a recurring figure in nineteenth-century Russian literature.First published in 1850, 'The Diary of a Superfluous Man' was initially censored by the authorities, as some of its passages were deemed too critical of Russian society. This volume also includes two other masterly novellas, also touching on the theme of disappointed love: 'Asya' and 'First Love'.

"First Love" tells the love story between a 21-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy. This unique, sensitive story of young love revolves around a boy, Vladimir Petrovich, who falls hopelessly in love with a pretty young woman named Zinaida. She has a set of various suitors who are more eligible socially. Vladimir undergoes an extreme shift in emotions, from joy and jealousy to dismay and affection. This story examines the intricacy of love and the distressing effects on the heart of a young man. It is based on author personal feelings at that age. The book consists of character development, unpredictable twists, and powerfully described emotions. It is regarded as one of the author's best works.

Special Edition for Low Vision Readers Ivan Turgenev shares his story of falling in love for the first time in this fictionalized telling of forbidden love in 19th century Russia. About Super Large Print All our books are published with a font designed for maximum readability at twice the size of traditional Large Print books. You can see a sample of Super Large Print at superlargeprint.com KEEP ON READING!

Bringing together six of Turgenev's best known stories in one volume, this collection includes "First Love," "Asya," "Mumu," "The Diary of a Superfluous Man," "Song of Triumphant Love," and "King Lear of the Steppes."