New Releases by Constance Garnett

Alexander Herzen''s own brilliance and the extraordinary circumstances of his life combine to place his memoirs among the great testimonies of the modern era. Born in 1812, the illegitimate son of a wealthy Russian landowner, he became one of the most important revolutionary and intellectual figures of his time - as theorist, polemicist and political actor; and fifty years after his death Lenin pronounced him ''the father of Russian socialism''. My Past and Thoughts uniquely assimilates the personal to the historical, and is both a classic of autobiography an an unparalleled record of his century''s remarkable life. His account of a privileged childhood among the Russian aristocracy is illuminated with the insight of a great novelist; his friends and enemies - Marx, Wagner, Mill, Bakunin, Garibaldi, Kropotkin - are brought brilliantly to life; and as a sceptical and free-thinking observer, he unerringly traces the line of revolutionary development, from the earliest stirrings of Russian radicalism through the tumultuous ideological debates of the International. ''His power of observation is extraordinary. He tells a story with the economy of a great reporter. His gift is for knowing not only what people are, but how they are historically situated. Somewhere in the pages of this hard, honest observer of what movements do to men, we shall find ourselves.'' - V.S. Pritchett

Referred to by Henry James as ''the first novelist of his time'' Ivan Turgenev''s works focus on class, love and suffering. Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories with its themes of the supernatural was, therefore, something of a departure for a writer who was well-known for his more humanitarian and liberal views. However, Turgenev uses these supernatural elements as a vehicle for exploring the irrationalities of the human psyche and he leaves the rational explanations for apparently supernatural events ambiguous - as Avrahm Yarmolinsky writes in his biography of Turgenev perhaps ''there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in positivist philosophy''. Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories includes Knock, Knock, Knock, The Inn, Lieutenant Yergunov''s Story, The Dog and The Watch. ''Turning from side to side I stretched out my hands ... My finger hit one of the beams of the wall. It emitted a faint but resounding, and as it were, prolonged note ... I must have struck a hollow place. I tapped again ... this time on purpose. The same sound was repeated. I knocked again ...'' From Knock, Knock, Knock (1871)

First translated in 1867, Turgenev portays the new generation of nihilists, with their reliance on the material and on science, and their lack of respect for tradition. However, the novel''s hero, Bazarov, pleased neither the revolutionaries, who thought the portrait libellous, nor the reactionaries, who thought it a glorification of iconoclasm.

Superb introductions to Turgenev''ssocial perception, rich characterization, and narrative command: "First Love" (1860), a semi-autobiographical novella, and "The Diary of a Superfluous Man" (1850), the fascinating tale of a Russian Hamlet."

Library of Liberal Arts title.

The Kingdom of God is Within You, penned by Constance Garnett, is a thought-provoking exploration of Christianity, advocating for a practical interpretation of the faith as a transformative way of life rather than a mystical or dogmatic belief system. Garnett draws upon the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the internal spiritual journey and the idea that true divinity resides within each individual. She argues that understanding and embracing this inner kingdom can lead to profound personal and societal change. Through her eloquent prose, Garnett critiques traditional religious institutions and encourages readers to seek a direct and personal relationship with the divine. The book posits that Christianity should be seen not merely as a religion but as a new framework for living, prioritizing love, compassion, and self-awareness. The emphasis on the individual’s responsibility to cultivate their spiritual life resonates throughout the text, making it relevant for contemporary readers. The Kingdom of God is Within You is celebrated for its deep philosophical insights and its challenge to conventional religious norms. Garnett’s interpretations encourage readers to re-evaluate their understanding of faith and spirituality, advocating for a more introspective and action-oriented approach to Christianity. Readers are drawn to The Kingdom of God is Within You for its inspirational message and its call for a personal journey toward understanding spirituality. Garnett''s work serves as a guide for those seeking to navigate their faith in a modern context, making this book an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality and daily life.