A Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich 1818-1883 creator Garnett, Constance 1861-1946 text utu 2005 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "A Desperate Character and Other Stories" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The stories reflect Turgenev's keen observations on Russian society and deep psychological character studies, particularly focusing on themes of desperation, dissatisfaction, and the quest for meaning. The opening tale introduces Misha Poltyev, a seemingly aimless young man who spirals from a sheltered upbringing into a life of reckless abandon, showcasing his transformation from a well-mannered boy to a desperate adult seeking solace in self-destructive behavior. At the start of the story, the narrator recounts a discussion about the nature of desperation among contemporary individuals, leading to the tale of Misha Poltyev told by an older relative, referred to as P. Misha begins as a delicate boy raised under strict parental guidance, but following the death of his parents, he rapidly descends into a life marked by debauchery and capricious whims. As an adult, this character embodies the chaos and disillusionment of youth, as he spends extravagantly and engages in reckless behaviors, including heavy drinking and even mocking his own nobility. Misha's frequent wild adventures and self-destructive impulses create a poignant portrait of a desperate character burdened by the weight of societal expectations and personal failures. (This is an automatically generated summary.) A desperate character -- A strange story -- Punin and Baburin -- Old portraits -- The brigadier -- Pyetushkov. Release date is 2005-09-01 Text files produced by Distributed Proofreaders HTML file produced by David Widger Original publication data not identified Russia -- Social life and customs -- Fiction Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich, 1818-1883 -- Translations into English PG Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8871 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8871 UtSlPG 260607 20260610133227.0 8871