Fathers and sons

This novel 'portrays' the conflicts between the older aristocratic generation and the new democratic intelligentsia in Russia during the 1860's. The chief character is the nihilish 'Bazarov,' who espouses a strictly materialistic attitude toward life. His chief adversary is 'Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov,' an uncle of Bazarov's friend Arkadi, who upholds the aristocratic traditions in the face of Bazarov's ridicule. The novel, which is considered one of Turgenev's finest works, originally aroused widespread controversy in Russia with both radicals and conservations denying the accuracy of the portrayal of Bazarov. One side considered it slandered the younger generation; the other accused Turgenev of presenting too favorable a picture of the nihilist.