Turgenev's last and longest novel presents the story of a group of young people in late nineteenth century Russia, who because of disillusionment with the country's entrenched traditional hierarchies and power relationships, seek to foment revolutionary activity especially among the peasant and working classes, pursuing a Populist "cause". The novel throws together some disparate personalities, from aesthetes to aristocracy to works managers to fools, and exposes the real human emotions and tensions generated by the cause. The publication being read is divided into two volumes; this first one includes Chapters 1-20, approximately half the book. Volume 2 is catalogued separately. (Summary by Peter Tucker)