First Love

Brief Overview

«First Love» is a novella by Ivan Turgenev, first published in 1860. At the heart of the story is the tale of 16-year-old Vladimir Petrovich's first love for the 21-year-old beauty Zinaida, who is his neighbor. The narrative is delivered in the first person. Vladimir Petrovich, now an adult, reminisces about his youth and recounts the story of his first love. Zinaida attracts the attention of many men, including the narrator himself. However, her heart belongs not to him, but to his father. This love triangle unfolds against the backdrop of the 19th century with all its customs and mores. The love story intertwines with themes of coming of age, self-discovery, and the realization of the complexities of human relationships. Turgenev's novella is distinguished by its deep psychological insight and precision in describing the protagonist's emotions as he encounters the first joys and disappointments of his life.