Fathers and Sons (Annotated): Enriched Edition. A Russian Nihilist Novel of Generational Conflict, Radical Youth, and Social Change in Nineteenth-Century Russia

Goodness gracious, what a book...In the middle of it I was actually liking Bazarov's struggling with his attraction for Anna Odintsov but then I realized this is actually really... depressing. The big, rationalist nihilist suddenly finding himself stammering over his words in the presence of the woman was quite ironic. But then again, at the moment of his deathbed speech with Anna Odintsov and not only, I started hating her SO much. Choosing social comfort and emotional detachment over love even if she knew (in theory) that she was attracted to him is so cruel. Maybe they were just too alike, both emotionally unavailable.At last, the ending absolutely shattered me. I think it s actually one of the most emotional books I ve ever read(definitely gonna add this to my list of favorite books). His slow physical decay, how he considered himself pathetic while he was sick, the realization he had that his nihilistic ideas actually made his life hollow is heart wrenching. Anyway, I recommend it with all my heart, truly.