A House of Gentlefolk

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

A House of Gentlefolk

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in 19th-century Russia, this novel explores the moral and emotional struggles of the provincial gentry. Through the lives of the Kalitin family and their neighbors, Ivan Turgenev examines themes of love, duty, faith, and personal redemption against a backdrop of social change and fading aristocratic values.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the provincial town of O--- in 1842, Ivan Turgenev's *A House of Gentlefolk* opens within the household of Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin, a sentimental woman of wealth, and her sharp-tongued, independent aunt, Marfa Timofyevna. Their home is a microcosm of Russian society, populated by their daughters, Elena and Palashka, and the devoted yet hypocritical neighbor, Sergei Petrovitch Gedeonovsky. The narrative's emotional core revolves around Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky, a former officer who returns to his estate after a scandal involving his wife's departure for Italy. Finding solace in his work as a farmer and in his deep, unrequited love for Lisa, the daughter of his late friend, Lavretsky embodies a transition from personal tragedy to spiritual maturity. Over the course of eight years, the novel chronicles the shifting dynamics of the Kalitin household as new generations arrive and old servants pass away. Lavretsky matures into a wise, selfless figure who reflects on the transient nature of happiness and the paramount importance of duty and faith. The story captures the melancholy beauty of rural life and offers a tender yet critical portrait of the era's social complexities. The narrative culminates with Lavretsky visiting Lisa in her convent. In a silent, poignant moment, a spiritual connection transcends their earthly separation, suggesting that true fulfillment lies not in personal happiness but in service and conviction. Through this evolution, Turgenev explores the passage of time, the endurance of the human spirit, and the redemptive power of a life dedicated to others.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/ivan-turgenev_house-of-gentlefolk.epub

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Categories

• Classics
• Fiction