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The Diary of a Superfluous Man

Ivan Turgenev

Book Overview: 

Turgenev’s shy hero, Tchulkaturin, is a representative example of a Russian archetype – the “superfluous man”, a sort of Hamlet not necessarily dignified with the title Prince: an individual of comfortable means leading a dreary existence, without purpose and led on by events which may, as in this story, engulf him. The novella takes the form of a diary started by Tchulkaturin in the shock of being diagnosed as having a terminal illness. The journal entries cover a period of two weeks, leading to his death. Tchulkaturin quickly homes in on the only significant event in his life – an unreciprocated falling-in-love leading haphazardly to a non-fatal duel that leaves him desolated and fully conscious of the futility of his inactive existence.

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .I have a little matter to talk to you about.'

Two country gentlemen, of the most persistent, who were obstinately pursuing the prince, probably imagined the 'little matter' to relate to official business, and respectfully fell back. The prince took my arm and led me apart. My heart was thumping at my ribs.

'You, I believe,' he began, emphasising the word you, and looking at my chin with a contemptuous expression, which, strange to say, was supremely becoming to his fresh and handsome face, 'you said something abusive to me?'

'I said what I thought,' I replied, raising my voice.

'Sh … quietly,' he observed; 'decent people don't bawl. You would like, perhaps, to fight me?'

'That's your affair,' I answered, drawing myself up.

'I shall be obliged to challenge you,' he remarked carelessly, 'if you don't withdraw your expressions….'<. . . Read More

Community Reviews

If you like to laugh, this is your book!

Superfluous – unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Tchulkaturin makes a fool of himself while he is attempting to woo a potential love interest. His words have failed him, and he comes across as extremely weird, causing multiple laugh-out-loud

11th book of 2022

*Warning... a few minor spoilers, however I tried to be careful.*

"What sort of person am I?... People may tell me that no one even asks that - and I agree. But after all, I'm dying. God alone knows, I'm dying, and in the face of death I really think I can be forgiven for wanting t

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