Virgin Soil: New Translation

In Virgin Soil: New Translation, Turgenev explores the lives of middle-class revolutionaries in Tsarist Russia, highlighting their struggles and aspirations.

The Virgin Soil: New Translation offers readers a fresh perspective on Turgenev's last and most ambitious novel, marking the first translation in over a century. This edition is enriched with illustrations and a comprehensive section dedicated to Turgenev's life and works, providing context to his literary contributions. The narrative follows a group of middle-class revolutionaries who aim to connect with the rural populace by working the land and promoting democratic ideals.

Central to the story are characters such as Nezhdanov, a daydreaming and impoverished tutor employed by the liberal councillor Sipyagin and his captivating wife Valentina. Alongside him are the naive radical Maryanna and the progressive factory manager Solomin. Their intricate relationships, filled with intrigue and conspiracies, unfold against the tumultuous backdrop of Tsarist Russia. Virgin Soil delves deep into the complexities of their aspirations and the societal challenges they face.

Turgenev's Virgin Soil not only solidifies his reputation as Russia's foremost novelist in the West but also sparked controversy in his homeland, leading to the arrest of fifty-two real-life revolutionaries shortly after its publication. This new translation breathes life into a classic, allowing contemporary readers to engage with the themes of idealism, struggle, and the quest for social change.