Isn't it Terrible?
The novel revolves around the life of a young nobleman who returns to his family's estate after serving in the military. He becomes disillusioned with the aristocracy and its values, leading him to question his own place within it. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and social class through the protagonist's struggles.
By Vladimir Korolenko · First published 1885 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism · 9 chapters · 21,517 words
First lines
"Be in N -- -- -sk on the twentieth. Session of district court. Details in letter. Editor. "
I looked at my watch and then went to inquire about the trains. I hoped that I could not catch the night train at the station, which was some ten versts from the city where I had just finished another piece of reporting. I saw already the laconic and businesslike answer: "Telegram delayed, cannot arrive on twentieth. " Unfortunately the timetable and my watch decided differently. I had three hours to pack and get to the station. That was time enough.
What this Textopian page supports
Isn't it Terrible? is listed on Textopian as a novel by Vladimir Korolenko, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Vladimir Korolenko
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism, Drama, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 21,517 words
- Structure: 9 chapters, 333 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Isn't it Terrible? by Vladimir Korolenko
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Isn't it Terrible??
- How does this novel by Vladimir Korolenko fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional and psychological themes, focusing on human experiences and moral dilemmas.
- Social Commentary — It addresses societal issues and critiques social norms, reflecting on the human condition and societal injustices.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life, emphasizing authentic characters and situations.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts and character-driven plots, typical of dramatic literature.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Stories · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Realism · Psychological Insight · Morality Tale · Coming of Age · Family Dynamics · Class Struggle · Poverty and Suffering · Human Condition