Not as Simple as it Seems
I took a Russian Literature course a year ago, and out of all the assigned readings, Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" was the only one I read all the way through. The story kept me reading, but although it was probably the easiest read out of the list, it is not as simple as one would think. The story isn't actually as important as the message/opinion Turgenev was trying to send out, through the interactions of his characters. If at all interested in Russian historical/cultural issues, this book offers a nifty way to think about it as it might have affected individuals living it.
A different Russian classic
I'll start out by saying that this was not the version I read. I read a different translation (the Signet Classics version), but as I do not speak Russian and have not read the original, I can't honestly say if the translation made a difference. I'm reviewing the content, and nothing else.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about "Fathers and Sons" was that it was short. The great Russian classics we generally think of are "War and Peace", "Crime and Punishment", etc. These are all long, drawn out books. "Fathers and Sons", thankfully, is short(er), with fewer characters and less confusion as to which person is which, especially since few have similar last names. Confusion does arise between Nicholas Petrovich and Paul Petrovich, his brother. There it is important to remember who is who, but luckily, their personalities are very different and it becomes clear very soon.
Another thing that is nice about "Fathers and Sons" is that it's different. It is not a book of great dramatic fighting (though there is one). It feels human and realistic. All the characters have both virtues and flaws that are easy to relate to. The ending is sad, but at the same time it is happy. It doesn't feel over-done, and I especially liked how the romance stuck in was sweet and not too out-there.
The book also reflects the difficulties Russia had during that period of time. Things were changing and some didn't welcome the change as much as others. Things that had once been acceptable became strange, and the people who believed in the old things became outdated. This book shows the concept of a generation gap beautifully while maintaining an interesting plot and characters.
I recommend it, partially because it's simply a good book, and partially because it shows that not all Russian classics must be long, drawn-out, and with lots of complicated names. Turgenev, who came before Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, will hopefully remain with them on the literary level for a long time to come.
Good place to start in Russian literature
If you're intimidated by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky's long masterpieces, consider starting instead with Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons." This book is of course a masterpiece of Russian literature. It's characters and themes are timeless and absolutely relatable to our modern culture. This is a story of family relationships, romance, and philosophy. Highly recommended.
p.s. When you're done here, try "War and Peace" or at least "Crime and Punishment."
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