A Desperate Character and Other Stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
A Desperate Character and Other Stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
A Desperate Character and Other Stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich (1818–1883). The listed translation credits are Garnett, Constance (1861–1946).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A Desperate Character and Other Stories" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The stories reflect Turgenev's keen observations on Russian society and deep psychological character studies, particularly focusing on themes of desperation, dissatisfaction, and the quest for meaning. The opening tale introduces Misha Poltyev, a seemingly aimless young man who spirals from a sheltered upbringing into a life of reckless abandon, showcasing his transformation from a well-mannered boy to a desperate adult seeking solace in self-destructive behavior. At the start of the story, the narrator recounts a discussion about the nature of desperation among contemporary individuals, leading to the tale of Misha Poltyev told by an older relative, referred to as P. Misha begins as a delicate boy raised under strict parental guidance, but following the death of his parents, he rapidly descends into a life marked by debauchery and capricious whims. As an adult, this character embodies the chaos and disillusionment of youth, as he spends extravagantly and engages in reckless behaviors, including heavy drinking and even mocking his own nobility. Misha's frequent wild adventures and self-destructive impulses create a poignant portrait of a desperate character burdened by the weight of societal expectations and personal failures.
Book and edition facts
- Title: A Desperate Character and Other Stories
- Author credits: Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich (1818–1883)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Garnett, Constance (1861–1946)
Catalogue subjects
- Russia -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
- Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich, 1818-1883 -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Russian Literature
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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