Youth ruined this for me. If I had only read Childhood and Boyhood, this would have been a 4 star rating. ( )

Here's what I wrote in 2008 about this read: "An aristocratic boy, seemingly under-achieving, walks through the trails and trials of Russian aristocratic life. Reported to be semi-autobiographical." ( )

In [Childhood], the young Count captures the wrath of "God's Thunderstorm,"
setting a truly high standard for landscape descriptions which often only he equals.

The education episodes with St.-Jerome felt contrived, awkward and went on way too long.

His earliest meditative philosophy on death and thinking about thinking then alternates with his inner turmoils.

These continue in [Boyhood] as he explores man's destiny to perfect himself as he suddenly emerges in public
as a scholar and, finally, with a best friend, despite his impenetrable shyness.

Fascinating studies of people's appearances, personalities, and projected feelings are ongoing.

With [Youth], he applies his ideas to his actions and begins his Rules for Life,
moving away from arrogance, pride, and self absorbed selfishness.

He is surrounded by mostly rich women, yet does not see how constricted their lives remain.

As he helps the servant, Nicolai, repair a window, he is summoned by nature -
the fresh air, sunshine, dark earth, grass, insects, rain, the flowering garden,
and joyful birds! ( )

Bevat: Kinderjaren / Jongensjaren / Studentenjaren

NB-3