Liza or ‘A nest of nobles’ (1856-1858)

Ivan Turgenev addresses issues of the nobility, the confrontation between Russia and the West and also focuses on moral principles. Disillusioned with European life, main character Fyodor Lavretsky returns to his estate in Russia to "plough the land" and falls in love with his neighbor's daughter, Liza. Their love is mutual and, upon learning of the death of his wife, who remained in Europe, he proposes to her. However, it turns out that his wife is still alive. Heartbroken, Lisa enters a monastery…

Critics have noted the work's "impeccable language". The most famous adaptation is Andrei Konchalovsky's 1969 screen adaptation, for which he was named ‘Best Foreign Director’ at the Finnish Jussi Awards.

Translated by William Ralston Shedden-Ralston, Publisher Crowell, 1873