Based largely on Turgenev’s own experience, this story uses the device of three friends undertaking to recount theirs. The first to take on this task chose to write his history and read it out – no doubt because it was ultimately so fraught.
Perhaps no-one forgets their first love; although many are temporary in nature they are brought to a close with more or less pain through disillusionment, through other interests or developments, or through developing maturity. Grief may take some time to pass through.
So it was with our narrator, a boy of 16 falling for a young woman of 21. The bitter-sweet story of a romantic, unfulfilled, attachment is beautifully portrayed with deep understanding of the minds and emotions of the couple; the young man idealising his coquettish loved one who plays forfeits with several rivals. Zinaida loves Vladimir, but without the passion of the lad who”could feel a kind of effervescence in [his] blood and a set of aching in [his] heart….. [whose] imaginings played and darted continually like martins at twilight around a bell-tower”, and who could to this day recall her physical charms.
Slowly it dawns on the boy that his chosen one is probably in love with someone else, and, unless we pick up the one nebulous clue, we share his angst as he speculates about who it could be – in fact I did understand who the rival must be, but i still eagerly anticipated confirmation.
The eventual discovery is a catastrophic bombshell scattering destructive shrapnel.
This is Turgenev’s acknowledged masterpiece in the genre,
faithfully illustrated by Elisa Trimby,
This evening we all dined on more of Jackie’s chicken and vegetable stewp with fresh bread and butter.
I would imagine that a 16 year old boy falling love with an “older woman” is quite common everywhere. Don’t you think?
I do. Thanks very much, GP
Absolutely! The Macrons immediately sprang to mind though their love story had a happy ending.
Haha! You beat me to the line…
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Sorry, I should have been more explicit. I was thinking of a certain President… But you said it first. ????????
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I know of a certain President… Shhh. No names…????
hahaha
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I have been unable to learn more about this illustrator. Do you knew anything about her?
Thanks very much, Elizabeth. There are a lot of her books on Google, but nothing about her: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=elisa+trimby&sca_esv=c59b207cb3deb01a&source=hp&ei=bHq8ZaLoIp-lhbIPpsqcuA4&iflsig=ANes7DEAAAAAZbyIfBCLcvetAgTGIbrUaV4JCJ3E9vx0&gs_ssp=eJzj4tFP1zc0NC7Ky6osMjVg9OJJzcksTlQoKcrMTaoEAHs_CSc&oq=Elisa+Tr&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IghFbGlzYSBUcioCCAEyCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBMgUQLhiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAuGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAESN0_UABYly9wAHgAkAEAmAFEoAHiA6oBATi4AQHIAQD4AQHCAgsQABiABBiKBRiRAsICFxAuGIAEGIoFGJECGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICCxAuGIAEGIoFGJECwgIOEC4YgAQYigUYkQIY1ALCAgoQABiABBiKBRhDwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAAGIAEGIoFGJECGLEDwgINEAAYgAQYigUYQxixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGNQCwgIOEC4YgAQYigUYsQMYgwHCAg4QABiABBiKBRixAxiDAQ&sclient=gws-wiz#ip=1
I had the same trouble.
Once again you have shared an intriguing book, remarkable illustrations and a very compelling review!
Thank you very much, Donna
This one sounds like a must-read! “The eventual discovery is a catastrophic bombshell scattering destructive shrapnel.”
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That “First Love” was a long time ago
And my memories have become muddied by the undertow
Thank you very much, Ivor
A great review of an old favourite.
Agreed
Beautiful illustrations
He is a master.
Thank you very much, Anne
Wow! Sounds wild! Your review has captured me in…and I’d like to read this story!
The illustrations are intriguing, too.
(((HUGS))) and thanks for this review! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ to everyone in your home!
Thanks very mcc, Carolyn X
“First Love” was the set book for our oral examination in Russian. I just cannot believe that I was able to discuss such things in a language as difficult as that. Where did it all go?
Amazing. Thanks very much, John
Oh, those first loves at 16 🙂 always so thrilling 🙂
Indeed. Thanks very much, Riba
I’m wondering if the rival could be a woman?
I also wonder if the illustrator’s name Elisa Trimble was a Pseudonym.
Two interesting questions. Thanks very much, Sue
Derrick, your review reminds me of the movie, Summer of 42.
Thank you very much, Arlene. Exactly when I was born
We never forget our first love, do we?
Nope. Thanks very much, Laurie
We never forget our first love. Stunning review, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I read a lot of Russian authors in my youth. Classics and Soljenytsin who probably remains my favourite. Just read or re-read Chekov (Not sure how you spell it in English. La mouette. The seagull. My conclusion then and now is that it is a veeeery different culture from ours. (With all the subtle variations between western and European cultures…)
Thanks Derrick.
Much appreciated, Brian
Sounds very well written and we can see that it is well illustrated.
Thank you very much, Pat
That is a fine review, Derrick. The age difference between the boy and woman he loves reminded me a bit of the ld folk ballad, “The Trees They Do Grow High”. My parents had an old Joan Baez record with that song on it.
That was a good record, Lavinia. Thank you very much
Ah, first love is a delightful topic. Derrick. Your explanation of this author’s rendition of the 16-21 love is masterfully recounted. I recently finished reading “West With Giraffes.” Regrettably, I forget the author’s name… but woven into this novel based on a true story set in 1938 is a “first love” that’s quite captivating. Out of curiosity, was Jackie your first love? Mine was Dewey Wright who sent me a Valentine in kindergarten that said “I Love You!”
Here you go, Jan: https://derrickjknight.com/2021/09/23/a-knights-tale-38-girls/ Thank you very much
Oh, my goodness, what a delightful post! Thank you for the link, {{{Derrick}}} ????????❤️
Thanks very much, Jan XX
This is one of my favorite Turgenev’s stories. Remarkable illustrations.
Thank you so much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.