Sign in with Facebook
Alan's Reviews > First Love
First Love
by
by
Second Turgenev. Honestly cannot think of much to write here, as this novella is clearly not in the same ballpark as Fathers and Sons. Nevertheless, it is beautiful, melancholy, infused with a tinge of nostalgia. My edition has a beautiful introduction by V. S. Pritchett, who sums it up perfectly: “Love, for Turgenev, is like some brief summer whirlwind or storm that sweeps through his people and transforms them.� I agree � it’s a quote that made me think about my own reaction to my first love. Does it remain? Do I look at every potential romantic match through that window? Will I be 3, 4, maybe 5 more relationships down the line in 20-30 years, still thinking back to the first? Does the frequency of romantic relationships in the modern age affect it at all? Just some thoughts for myself � I used this space as a notepad this time. To that end, I want to finish with a lyric yet again; this time, it’s Ambrosia, How Much I Feel:
How’s your life been goin� on?
I’ve got a wife now, years we’ve been goin� strong
Oh no, there’s just something that I’ve got to say
Sometimes when we make love, I still see your face
Just try to recall when we were as one
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
First Love.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 19, 2021
– Shelved
November 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
origin-russian
November 19, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Matthew Ted
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Nov 19, 2021 03:29PM
This Turgenev was almost unrecognisable from Fathers and Sons Turgenev. It makes me wonder if his other novels fall closer to that or to this. I'm hoping the former.
reply
|
flag
Matthew Ted wrote: "This Turgenev was almost unrecognisable from Fathers and Sons Turgenev. It makes me wonder if his other novels fall closer to that or to this. I'm hoping the former."We can only hope - I have heard good things about the others, though again... "heard". I will have to read to see.
Great review my friend! As I told you before, both On the Eve and First Love were my first and second Turgenev respectively, and now I’m eager to start reading the next one. I had basically the same feeling when I read this book, I saw that nostalgia throughout the story, and I think that is in fact part of the essence of this book.
Cheers! 👋
Axl Oswaldo wrote: "Great review my friend! As I told you before, both On the Eve and First Love were my first and second Turgenev respectively, and now I’m eager to start reading the next one. I had basically the sa..."
Thanks Axl :) I would be curious to see what you think of Fathers and Sons for sure.
