First published 2016
Dmitry Rudin sweeps into the salon of a Russian country estate, captivating listeners with his eloquent speeches about philosophy and social reform. The idealistic young Natalya falls under his spell, drawn to his passionate rhetoric about transforming society. But when their relationship deepens and she looks to him for decisive action, Rudin falters. He cannot bridge the gap between his soaring words and concrete deeds. Torn between respect for traditional ways and attraction to radical new ideas, he remains paralyzed by his own contradictions. While Natalya possesses the strength and clarity he lacks, Rudin embodies the educated Russian man of his era: intellectually gifted yet crippled by indecision, full of noble aspirations yet unable to fulfill them.
Genres: fiction, 19th-century, academic
Vibes: character-driven, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: idealism-vs-pragmatism, paralysis-of-action
Setting: Russia, Russian Country Estate
Period: 19th Century
158 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform