that bad. If things are like that there’s a lot to be put in order.” The way Turgenev writes, it seems as if many Russians maintain this devotion, and Turgenev seems to have quite a bit of pride in his countrymen.The most impressive part of this book is the realism. My imagination had never explored the depths of nineteenth century Russia, and I found myself imagining many of sketches being probable events in the twenty-first century. The most depressive part of this book is its futility. Although many of the educated people are happy, it also turns out that most people turn out pompous in the landowner and noble classes and in the peasant and serf classes most people turn out desperate . “Pyotr Petrovich Karataev”, “Death”, “Bailiff”, “Meeting”, “Tatyana Borisovna and Her Nephew”, “Hamlet of the Shchigrovsky District”, and “Yermolay and the Miller’s Wife” are all very good examples. All of the above end with poverty, death, love lost, or grand expectations turning into the worst possible scenario. This collection of sketches is now ranked in my top three for favorite books. The first is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, the second is Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. Turgenev writings are so enjoyable, that it is one of the few books that has made me want to learn a foreign language so that I can read it in its original text. In the end I must give my gratitude and thanks to Turgenev because he has allowed me to change my interpretation of serfdom and Russian Literature. I can now see why he was one of the original Russian Authors to be internationally recognized. It was an insightful read and an entertaining and somewhat depressing book....
