Fathers and Sons [Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev (Author), George Guidall (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1994

8 Hours 16 Minutes on 7 CDs. You're in for a delightful surprise if you're one of the many people who believe all Russian literature is daunting and difficult. Ivan Turgenev's stories have enchanted generations with delicate prose, marvelously subtle irony, and richly crafted characters. Set against the serene backdrop of the Russian countryside, Fathers and Sons is the story of Arcady Kirsanov, a young man who returns from college to his father's country manor with his radical friend Bazarov in tow. Behind Bazarov's chilling intellect hides a heart of compassion and kindness-a heart that will unwittingly change the Kirsanovs' lives forever.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Recorded Books (1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402570767
• ISBN-13: 978-1402570766
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,491,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good audio book and enjoyable novel, September 14, 2009

By 

Jeffrey Van Wagoner (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fathers and Sons (Audio CD)

This review will cover both the audio book and my impression of the novel.

The narrator was George Guidall. He had a pleasant voice and was easy to understand and listen to. He didn't do the types of characterizations that I learned to like in other readers. Thus, when different characters were speaking, you couldn't tell them apart by the way he spoke. In the case of this novel, it wasn't very important, since the dialog is clearly spelled out who was speaking. I would say that this reader was acceptable, but not outstanding.

The novel itself was very interesting mainly on account of the character of Bazarov, who is a nihilist. It gave me a good feel for what a nihilist really thinks. In this case, Bazarov has many good characteristics along with his strange beliefs and is well liked by the majority of the characters.

I thought that Turgenev did a good job of exploring this character and his relationships with others and the changes that occurred within himself. The other main characters were his best friend and both of their fathers. The generational differences were fascinating and the way that the fathers were so open minded with the new ways their sons were thinking was interesting to me.

It gave me a good glimpse into 19th century Russia. If I look at the author's peers, I still like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky better, but he is still worth reading.