Fathers and Children

The English rendition of the title of this novel has been problematic since the books publication in 1862. In his prefatory note to the Second Edition, Katz explains his decision to return to the original title, the one preferred by the author himself: Ottsy i deti, literally Fathers and Children. The novel is accompanied by a rich selection of Turgenevs letters that illustrate his involvement in the critical controversy that surrounded the publication of Fathers and Children. Four of the most significant critiques of the dayby Dmitry Pisarev, Nikolai Strakhov, Apollon Grigorev, and Alexander Herzenfurther enhance the readers understanding of this critical firestorm. Twenty-three critical essaysseven of which are new to the Second Editionare organized around several themes: the issue of translation; politics, including Turgenevs liberalism, his view of revolution, and his attitude toward nihilism; and various literary aspects, including Turgenevs use of imagery, generational conflict, the role of women, and the growing impact of science on society. A Chronology of Turgenev's life and work and an updated Selected Bibliography are also included.