Last night (Father and Son)

Author: (Russian) Turgenev, translated by Lu Zhao ming, Shi Zhen chuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: This book includes two of Turgenev's major works. The protagonist of Evening is Yelena, a passionate, upright, self-sacrificing, and beautiful Russian girl who falls in love with a Bulgarian youth dedicated to liberating his homeland. Despite her parents' opposition, she marries him and resolves to dedicate herself to the liberation of Bulgaria. Although her husband dies on their way back to Bulgaria, she remains loyal to her beliefs and sets off alone for Bulgaria. The protagonist of Fathers and Sons is Bazarov, an ordinary intellectual who is strong, composed, confident, and values practical action. He devotes himself to scientific experiments but denies art, poetry, and human emotions, especially love. However, he goes against his own beliefs and genuinely falls in love with the noblewoman Olga Okhinzova. He tries to suppress his romantic inclinations and uses all his strength to repress his natural tendencies, but fails. He confesses his love to Olga, only to be rejected. Bazarov becomes cynical and pessimistic after his failed love affair, leaving the world with unfulfilled ambitions and regret.