Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diary_of_a_Superfluous_Man

Translation of: Дневник лишнего человека (Dnevník líshnego chelovéka).

Release date is 2024-08-23

Tuula Temonen and Tapio Riikonen

"Tarpeeton ihminen" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the life and thoughts of an introspective character who views himself as superfluous and unnecessary in the world. It reflects on themes of love, loss, and existential musings, while contrasting the protagonist's internal struggles with the vibrant world around him. The opening of the novel introduces us to a profoundly reflective protagonist who grapples with his impending death and records his thoughts in a diary. He reminisces about his childhood, his complex family dynamics involving his emotionally distant mother and his flawed father, and the early influences that shaped him. The protagonist oscillates between despair and nostalgia, expressing a longing for connection and purpose, even as he labels himself as "unnecessary." His observations reveal a heightened sensitivity to nature and human relationships, setting the stage for the deeper explorations of love and identity that are sure to unfold in the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Helsinki: Kust.Oy Kirja, 1915