The Novels of Īvan Turgenev: A desperate character

A Desperate Character and Other Stories is part of the definitive fifteen-volume set of the novels and stories of Ivan Turgenev, published by Macmillan and Co. in the late 19th century. This specific edition was prepared by Constance Garnett, whose translations were instrumental in introducing the Russian literary canon to the English-speaking world. The collection was designed to provide a comprehensive, uniform library of Turgenev's prose, reflecting the Victorian era's fascination with Russian realism and the complex social themes prevalent in 19th-century Russian literature.

The physical presentation of this volume, characterized by its sober, formal binding and refined typography, emphasizes the scholarly intent of the Macmillan series. Garnett’s translations were highly regarded for their clarity and fidelity, effectively capturing the melancholic, observational tone of Turgenev’s narratives. Upon release, these editions were received as a milestone in literary translation, establishing a standard for the appreciation of Turgenev’s character studies and his nuanced exploration of the human condition.