Fathers and Sons

Fathers and Sons has all the characteristics of a great novel. It is moving; the characters are well-developed; there are climactic highs and lows; it is well-written; it was historically situated well; etc. Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly just “not for” some people. I am a huge fan of Dostoevsky; I enjoy his novels because of how he examines misery, struggle, destitution, faith, and redemption. Certainly, there is some of that in Fathers and Sons, but it still feels quite lacking. Furthermore, I never felt as deeply connected to any of the characters (barring the parents of Bazarov) as I do with Dostoevsky's. Fathers and Sons is a spectacular book, and I would recommend it, for either you will enjoy Turgenev or you will realize what you like about another author more.