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Torrents of Spring (1872)

by Ivan Turgenev

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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8561625,074 (3.75)1 / 73
Classic Literature. Fiction. HTML:

Get acquainted with the work of Russian literary master Ivan Turgenev in this rich, multifaceted tale of unrequited romantic love and self-discovery. The Torrents of Spring follows the coming-of-age of a young Russian aristocrat who is willing to give away everything he owns to pursue love. But before he can achieve his happily-ever-after, a sophisticated seductress steps in and induces him to stray from his single-minded goal. Will the young protagonist make the right decision? Read The Torrents of Spring to find out.

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Showing 1-5 of 12 (next | show all)
An impressive work. Most people who know Turgenev’s name know him for one work: Fathers and Sons. The “story” is a conventional story of a young man and young woman falling in love—though it should be noted that much of the action takes place in Frankfurt. (It is also worth noting that substantial biographical element in the story.) Soon enough, however, the story follows a tangent that turns out not to be a tangent and most readers, I suspect, will begin to have the tiniest inkling that something isn’t altogether “right.” (Maybe it would be somewhat more accurate to say “the tiniest inkling that something horrific might be on the horizon.”) I won’t say more but Turgenev tells his story brilliantly. Even though the shocker isn’t really a shocker, what happens has terrific impact. Definitely recommended. ( )
  Gypsy_Boy | Aug 24, 2023 |
I liked listening to this audiobook. Even though it was an English version, it still had that Russian style. Not sure how to describe that, but if you've read (some) Russian classics, I think you know what I mean.
This book reminded me of A hero of our Time a bit. Young love, first love, the foolishness of duelling. How does this first love turn out? Well you'll have to read the book to find out :-) ( )
  BoekenTrol71 | Jan 20, 2020 |
I listened to this book because it is on the 1001 list and because the LT 1001 group chose it for a monthly read. It took a few months for me to finish it mostly because I was too busy to sit down and listen to this. In the interests of truth I didn't find it a particularly gripping tale. I knew almost from the beginning how the romance was going to end and it was just a matter of confirming it.

A young Russian man, Dimitry Sanin, is returning to St. Petersburg by way of Frankfurt after spending the winter in Italy. He chances upon a confectioner's shop run by an Italian family. Due to certain circumstances he misses his coach to St. Petersburg and starts spending time with the Italian family. The young lady of the family, Gemma, is the principal attraction and it comes to pass that Sanin fights a duel for her. Soon thereafter he professes his love for her and asks her to marry him. Gemma accepts although she is already engaged. In order to provide for Gemma Sanin decides to sell his Russian estate. He chances to meet an old school friend who suggests that his wife, Maria Nikolaevna, would be prepared to buy it. So Dimitry travels to Wiesbaden with the school friend and meets the wife. Maria Nikolaevna plays with him and then seduces him. Sanin travels to Paris with Maria and her husband and abandons Gemma. Years later he finds a cross that Gemma had given him when he left Franfurt for Wiesbaden and he is moved to find Gemma in order to salve his conscience.

Apparently there are autobiographical elements to this book which makes me feel rather sorry for Turgenev but not sorry enough to give my review more than 3 stars. ( )
  gypsysmom | Jul 9, 2017 |
While Ivan Turgenev's "Spring Torrents" was a decent book, it really wasn't spectacular enough to deserve a place on the 1,001 list (which is why I read it.)

The novel tells the story of Dmitry Sanin, a Russian landowner who travels to Frankfurt and immediately falls in love with Gemma, whose family owns a candy shop. Antics ensue, which are fairly predictable.

I found the characters relatively interesting but didn't find much that was very special about this book. ( )
  amerynth | May 20, 2017 |
Dimitry Sanin, a member of Russia’s landed gentry is passing through Frankfort, Germany in the 1840s when he hears a cry for help from a local shop. That cry for help catapults him into the lives of the Roselli family, where he eventually meets Gemma, the doe eyed daughter of the family with whom he falls utterly in love. In his efforts to provide for Gemma’s family, Dimitry decides to sell his Russian estate and to facilitate that matter, finds a buyer, Maria Nickolaevna Polosova, who lives in a marriage of convenience with an old school friend of Dmitry’s. The weak-willed Dmitry falls in love with Maria, the very opposite of Gemma, and joins her stable of boy toys who are identified by an iron ring she has given them. Dmitry throws Gemma over and leaves with the Polosovs for Paris. Decades later, Dmitry contacts Gemma, who has married and moved to America. The sole redeeming quality of this book is it’s brevity. ( )
  ShelleyAlberta | Jun 4, 2016 |
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» Add other authors (19 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Ivan Turgenevprimary authorall editionscalculated
Gerstmann, AdolfTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Jacques, RobinForewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Classic Literature. Fiction. HTML:

Get acquainted with the work of Russian literary master Ivan Turgenev in this rich, multifaceted tale of unrequited romantic love and self-discovery. The Torrents of Spring follows the coming-of-age of a young Russian aristocrat who is willing to give away everything he owns to pursue love. But before he can achieve his happily-ever-after, a sophisticated seductress steps in and induces him to stray from his single-minded goal. Will the young protagonist make the right decision? Read The Torrents of Spring to find out.

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Penguin Australia

An edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia.

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