A Sportsman's Sketches


Read by tovarisch

(4.8 stars; 25 reviews)

A Sportsman's Sketches (Russian: Записки охотника; also known as The Hunting Sketches and Sketches from a Hunter's Album) was an 1852 collection of short stories by Ivan Turgenev. It was the first major writing that gained him recognition. He wrote this collection of short stories based on his own observations while hunting at his mother’s estate at Spasskoye, where he learned of the abuse of the peasants and the injustices of the Russian system that constrained them. The frequent abuse of Turgenev by his mother certainly had an effect on this work. The stories were first published in The Contemporary with each story separate before appearing in 1852 in book form. He was about to give up writing when the first story, "Khor and Kalinich," was well received. This work is part of the Russian realist tradition in that the narrator is usually an uncommitted observer of the people he meets. - Summary by Wikipedia (16 hr 34 min)

Chapters

HOR AND KALINITCH 33:48 Read by tovarisch
YERMOLAÏ AND THE MILLER'S WIFE 30:15 Read by tovarisch
RASPBERRY SPRING 26:16 Read by tovarisch
THE DISTRICT DOCTOR 28:14 Read by tovarisch
MY NEIGHBOUR RADILOV 21:29 Read by tovarisch
THE PEASANT PROPRIETOR OVSYANIKOV 53:24 Read by tovarisch
LGOV 28:58 Read by tovarisch
BYEZHIN PRAIRIE 55:23 Read by tovarisch
KASSYAN OF FAIR SPRINGS 52:37 Read by tovarisch
THE AGENT 39:29 Read by tovarisch
THE COUNTING-HOUSE 43:58 Read by tovarisch
BIRYUK 21:25 Read by tovarisch
TWO COUNTRY GENTLEMEN 25:23 Read by tovarisch
LEBEDYAN 32:33 Read by tovarisch
TATYANA BORISSOVNA AND HER NEPHEW 33:45 Read by tovarisch
DEATH 33:04 Read by tovarisch
THE SINGERS 50:44 Read by tovarisch
PIOTR PETROVITCH KARATAEV 42:07 Read by tovarisch
THE TRYST 25:13 Read by tovarisch
THE HAMLET OF THE SHTCHIGRI DISTRICT 1:13:55 Read by tovarisch
TCHERTOP-HANOV AND NEDOPYUSKIN 50:17 Read by tovarisch
THE END OF TCHERTOP-HANOV, Part I 53:45 Read by tovarisch
THE END OF TCHERTOP-HANOV, Part II 36:28 Read by tovarisch
A LIVING RELIC 41:07 Read by tovarisch
THE RATTLING OF WHEELS 39:11 Read by tovarisch
EPILOGUE: THE FOREST AND THE STEPPE 21:38 Read by tovarisch

Reviews

Remarkable. I only wish I could give more than five stars.


(5 stars)

Once again this reader, Tovarishch, excels. A thoroughly engaging reading of this remarkable and seminal work by Turgenev. A Sportsman's Sketches appears to have been an historically important work, but don't let that put you off! These are, above all, easy and engaging stories. Having read First Love many years ago, I'm rediscovering just how good Turgenev's writing is. Even in translation his descriptions of nature, of plants, animals, weather and seasons, paint vivid pictures, and he seems able to get inside not only people of all kinds but animals too, describing in uncanny detail their moods and the way they react to situations themselves.

Superb


(5 stars)

Not only are the stories so interesting, they are a glimpse into Russian life in the 19th century. And descriptions of nature are so vivid and insightful and the descriptions of the various interesting people are very entertaining. But the best thing about the book, for me is the reader. His pronunciation is so wonderful for a Russian book and his animation of the characters, the dialog and the situations make this one of my top favorites on LibriVox

Classic story, strong reader


(5 stars)

I'm working my way through the golden age of Russian literature, through a mix of Turgenev, Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov. I particularly enjoyed these stories and I think it may be due in no small part to the strength of the reader. For what it's worth, I think he was a good match for the content and he did a very good job.

Excellent Compilation


(5 stars)

Turgenev has an impeccable ability to present his stories in a timeless manner. Although set in a place and time far from my own, I can easily relate, and so will any sportsman. An excellent narration adds to the authenticity!


(5 stars)

Steady and soothing reader, thanks for doing the whole series!


(5 stars)

A perfect union. Much obliged, Comrade.