Before you - summary(brief retelling of the plot) of the story by I.S. Turgenev "Asya". I hope the summary of the story will help you prepare for the lesson of Russian literature.

Brief information about the story: Turgenev's story "Asya" was written in 1857, first published in 1858 in the first issue of the Sovremennik magazine.

ASYA - a summary of the chapters.

Asya. Chapter 1 Summary

The protagonist of the story is named N.N. He talks about what happened to him once. At that time he was twenty-five years old. In his own words, he just broke free and went abroad ". The young man really wanted see the world of God ”, N.N. says about himself at that time:

“I was healthy, young, cheerful, no money was transferred from me, worries had not yet had time to start - I lived without looking back, did what I wanted, prospered, in a word. It never occurred to me then that a person is not a plant and that he cannot flourish for a long time. Youth eats gilded gingerbread, and thinks that this is their daily bread; and the time will come - and you will ask for bread.

The young man traveled a lot, made new acquaintances. His life was easy and carefree. N. N. settled in a small German town Z., which was located on the left bank of the Rhine.

During this period, N.N. wanted to be alone, he was weighed down by gloomy thoughts. He recently met a young woman, a widow. " She was very pretty and smart, she flirted with everyone. ". But she preferred another person. N. N. was not too upset, but for a while he wanted to be alone.

The town where main character settled, was very attractive:

“I liked this town for its location at the foot of two high hills, its decrepit walls and towers, centuries-old lindens, a steep bridge over a bright river that flowed into the Rhine - and most importantly, its good wine.”

On the other side of the Rhine was the town of L. One day, N.N. sat on a bench and listened to music that came from the city of L.N.N. asked a passer-by what was happening in another town. The passer-by replied that they were students " came to the commercial».

N. N. crossed over to the other side.

Asya. Chapter 2. Summary

Kommersh is "a special kind of solemn feast at which students of one land or brotherhood converge." At the celebration, N.N. heard Russian speech. He met a young man Gagin and his sister Asya. New acquaintances invited N.N. to visit them.

New acquaintances liked N. N. And Gagin, and his sister Asya, or Anna (that was her full name), made the most favorable impression on the main character. The house in which they lived was also very much liked by N.N.

Asya was very mobile.

“Not for a single moment did she sit still; she got up, ran into the house, ran again, sang in an undertone, often laughed, and in a strange way: it seemed that she laughed not at what she heard, but at various thoughts that came into her head. Her large eyes looked straight, bright, bold, but sometimes her eyelids squinted slightly, and then her gaze suddenly became deep and tender.

N.N. was visiting for two hours. Then he decided to go home. The young man was happy, a new acquaintance pleased him. That evening he no longer remembered the widow who had occupied his heart for so long.

Asya. Chapter 3. Summary.

The next day, Gagin came to visit N.N. During the usual, meaningless conversation, he talked about his plans for the future. N.N., in turn, told about unhappy love, which, however, had already ceased to occupy him. Gagin invites N. N. to look at the sketches.

Gagin's works seemed to N.N. careless, incorrect. He openly expressed his opinion. The author of the sketches agreed:

« Yes, yes,” he added with a sigh, “you are right; all this is very bad and immature, what to do! I did not study properly, and the damned Slavic licentiousness takes its toll. While you are dreaming about work, you are soaring like an eagle: it seems that the earth would be moved from its place - but in performance you immediately weaken and get tired.

Asya. Chapter 4. Summary.

After the conversation, Gagin and N.N. left to look for Asya. They found the girl in the ruins. Asya was sitting right over the abyss. N.N. reproached the girl for being careless. But Gagin warned him, said that if Asya made comments, she could even climb the tower.

N. N. comes to the conclusion that Asa has « something tense, not quite natural». « She wants to surprise us , - so thought the protagonist. And he does not understand why such childish antics are needed. The girl seemed to guess his thoughts. She is acting eccentric.

For example, Asya bought a glass of water from an old woman who traded nearby. And suddenly she announced that she did not want to drink, but was going to water the flowers growing around.

After that the girl

“with a glass in her hand, she started to climb over the ruins, occasionally stopping, bending over and, with amusing importance, dropping a few drops of water that glittered brightly in the sun.”

N.N. cannot but admit that the girl's movements are sweet. But he still cannot understand the meaning of her actions. She seems to be glad to scare those around her, because she puts herself in danger of falling and breaking. The whole look of Asya seemed to say: “ You find my behavior indecent; anyway, I know you admire me».

Gagin bought a mug of beer and proposed a toast to the lady of the heart N.N. Asya asked if she, that is, this lady, really exists. Gagin replied that everyone has such a lady. Asya was embarrassed at first, but then she began to look at everyone defiantly, almost impudently.

The girl is behaving strangely; even passers-by pay attention to her behavior. But after returning home, Asya changed.

“... She immediately went to her room and appeared only at dinnertime, dressed in her best dress, carefully combed, tied and wearing gloves.”

N.N. understood what the girl wanted “play a new role - the role of a decent and well-bred young lady ».

N.N. noticed that Gagin indulged her in everything. After dinner, Asya asked Gagin for permission to go to visit Frau Louise, an old woman, the widow of a former local steward. Gagin allowed her to go.

N. N. stayed with Gagin. In the course of the conversation, Gagin got to know his new acquaintance better and better. And the more he got to know him, the more he became attached. N. N. realized that Gagin was a simple, honest, sincere person. N. N. noticed that he was smart, nice, but he did not have the special energy, strength that distinguishes an outstanding personality. N.N. thought that Gagin would hardly make a good artist, because he was not used to working. But, despite all this, the new acquaintance seemed to N. N. a wonderful person.

N. N. and Gagin talked for almost four hours. When the sun went down, Gagin invited N.N. to see him off. On the way, he decided to call on Frau Louise to find out where Asya was.

When they approached the old woman's house, Asya looked out of the window, threw a sprig of geraniums to Gagin and suggested: "... imagine that I am the lady of your heart ».

Gagin gave the branch to N.N. He put it in his pocket. When N.N. went home, he felt a strange heaviness in his heart. He yearned for Russia. At the same time, the young man realized that he no longer remembered the young widow who had broken his heart. All his thoughts were directed to Asya. He had thoughts that Asya was not Gagin's sister at all.

Asya. Chapter 5. Summary.

The next morning, N.N. again went to Gagin. He wanted to see Asya. When N.N. saw her, she seemed to him a simple Russian girl, “ almost a maid". Asya was wearing an old dress, her hair was also very simple. Asya sewed. Her whole appearance spoke of modesty and simplicity.

N. N. and Gagin went to write sketches. Gagin suggested that N.N. accompany him, so that he would give good advice if necessary.

During work, friends again talked about art. The conversation was empty and meaningless. After returning, N.N. saw that Asya was also engaged in sewing. She was modest, quiet, her behavior was not defiant. N.N. thought that this girl was a real chameleon. He also began to think again about who Asya is Gagin.

Asya. Chapter 6. Summary.

Over the next two weeks, N.N. visited the Gagins every day, but Asya seemed to avoid him. Now she is no longer naughty, as before. It seemed to N.N. that Asya was embarrassed or distressed by something. N.N. noticed that the girl knew both French and German well. Nevertheless, Asya's upbringing cannot be called good and correct. The girl spoke very little about her life, she answered questions reluctantly. But N.N. found out that in Russia she had lived in the countryside for a long time.

N.N. is watching Asya with interest. Her behavior seems strange to him, but this is precisely what causes the strongest curiosity. In addition, N.N. sees that Gagin treats Asya in a completely different way than the sisters are usually treated.

Once N.N. accidentally overheard a conversation between Gagin and Asya:

No, I don't want to love anyone but you, no, no, I want to love only you - and forever.

Enough, Asya, calm down, - said Gagin, - you know, I believe you.

During the conversation, Asya kissed Gagin, cuddled up to him very gently. N.N. thought that his new acquaintances were pretending to be brother and sister, but he could not guess why they had to put on this performance.

Asya. Chapter 7. Summary.

The next day, N.N. went on foot to the mountains. Here he intended to stay for a while. The young man did not want to see the Gagins. He was somewhat offended by their deception, because no one forced them to be called relatives.

N.N. “wandered slowly through the mountains and valleys, sat up in the village taverns, peacefully talking with the hosts and guests, or lay down on a flat warm stone and watched the clouds float, fortunately the weather was amazing.”

N. N. spent three days in the mountains. After returning, N.N. found a note from Gagin. He was surprised at his disappearance. He asked to come to them as soon as he returned.

Asya. Chapter 8

N. N. accepted the invitation. Gagin meets him with joy. But Asya again behaves unnaturally, to which N.N. immediately draws attention. Gagin was embarrassed by the behavior of the girl, called her crazy and asked N.N. to excuse her.

Despite the fact that N. N. is already accustomed to Asya's antics, her behavior cannot but jar him. However, the young man pretends not to pay attention to these oddities and tells Gagin about his journey. During the conversation, Asya entered the room several times and ran away again, and after a while N.N. decided to return home. Gagin went to see him off. Before leaving, Asya approached N.N. and held out her hand to him. He shook her fingers and bowed slightly.

On the way, Gagin asks N.N. what is his opinion about Asya and whether he finds her strange. N. N. honestly answers that the girl's antics cannot but be evident. The conversation seems to N. N. completely unexpected. Gagin makes excuses that Asya has a good heart, but "a troubled head", explains that the girl cannot be blamed for anything. Gagin offers to tell Asya's story. N.N. listens to him with interest.

Gagin says that Asya is his sister. Gagin's father was a kind, intelligent, but very unhappy man. He married for love. But his wife, Gagin's mother, died very early. The boy was only six months old at the time. Heartbroken, the father went to the village and remained there for twelve years. The father raised his son himself. He had no intention of parting with it. However, my father's brother came to the village, he was an important person in St. Petersburg. The uncle began to convince the father to give the boy to him for upbringing. The uncle assured his father that the young man should rotate in society.

Father with difficulty, but agreed with his brother. After arriving in St. Petersburg, Gagin entered the cadet school, then transferred to the guards regiment. Every year he went to the countryside for a few weeks to see his father. He was always very sad and thoughtful. Once, during his arrival, Gagin saw a girl about ten years old in his father's house. It was Asya. The father explained that he had adopted the orphan. The girl was wild, silent. Gagin did not pay much attention to her.

It so happened that Gagin was not with his father for three or four years. It was service related. Communication with his father was maintained only through letters.

Once Gagin received a letter from the clerk. He told about the fatal illness of his father. After his arrival, the father turned to his son with a last request. He ordered to bring Asya and told Gagin that this was his sister.

After the death of his father, Gagin learned that Asya was the daughter of his father and his mother's former maid. The father wanted to marry Asya's mother, but she was against it. Tatyana, Asya's mother, died a few years ago, after which her father took Asya into the house. He was going to do this before, but Tatyana did not agree.

Father loved Asya very much.

“Asya soon realized that she was the main person in the house, she knew that the master was her father; but she just as soon realized her false position; pride developed in her strongly, distrust too; bad habits took root, simplicity disappeared. She wanted to make the whole world forget her origins; she was ashamed of her mother, and ashamed of her shame, and proud of her ».

Twenty-year-old Gagin found himself with a thirteen-year-old sister in his arms. He became very attached to the girl, and she answered him the same. Gagin brought his sister to Petersburg. Since he was busy, he placed the girl in one of the best boarding houses. Asya understood that it was necessary. But in the boarding house it was very difficult for her. There she fell ill and almost died. However, the girl spent four years in a boarding house. Despite a strict upbringing, she has not changed a bit. The head of the boarding house repeatedly complained to Gagin about Asya.

The relationship in the boarding school with the girl did not work out, despite the fact that she was very smart and capable, she studied better than anyone. Asya had no girlfriends.

When the girl was seventeen years old, Gagin decided to retire, pick up his sister and go abroad. That is exactly what he did.

Having told this story, Gagin asked N.N. not to judge Asya too harshly, because she “Although she pretends that she doesn’t care about anything, she values ​​\u200b\u200bthe opinion of everyone, especially yours.”

Gagin says that Asya, of course, has her own oddities. For example, recently she began to assure him that she loves only him and will always love him, N.N. asked if Asya liked anyone in St. Petersburg. Gagin replied that "Asya needs a hero, an extraordinary person - or a picturesque shepherd in a mountain gorge." Since the girl has not met such people, she still does not know love.

N. N. after the story of Gagin felt almost happy. Gagin and his interlocutor returned home. Asya was pale and agitated. N.N. realized that the girl attracted him, now he only thinks about her.

Asya. Chapters 9 - 10. Summary

N.N. invited Asya to take a walk through the vineyard. The girl agreed. During the walk they talked. Asya asked N.N. what he likes in women. This question seemed strange to N.N. Asya was confused.

N.N. realized how Asya is a romantic person. Everyday life, everyday life oppress her.

N.N. understands that love is born in him. The next day, N.N. again came to the Gagins. Asya was embarrassed when she saw him. N.N. noticed that the girl had dressed up. But she was sad. Gagin was engaged in his drawings. Asya says that when she lived with her mother, she did not study anything. And now she can't draw, she can't play the piano, she even sews badly. N.N. reassures her, says that she is smart, educated, reads a lot. Asya says that she herself does not know what is in her head. She is afraid that she will be bored with her.

Asya leaves, then returns and asks:

Listen, if I died, would you feel sorry for me?

Her thoughts frighten N. N. The girl says that she often thinks about imminent death. Asya was sad and worried". She expressed concern that N.N. considered her frivolous.

Asya. Chapters 11 - 13. Summary

N. N. thinks on the way home that Asya, quite possibly, loves him. However, these thoughts seem implausible to him. The young man cannot stop thinking about the girl. The next day, Asya felt bad, she had a headache. N.N. was forced to leave.

The next morning the young man was walking around the city. The boy found him and handed over the note. The message was from Asya.

She invited him to four o'clock to the stone chapel. N.N. came home, "sat down and thought." He was excited by the note from the girl. Suddenly Gagin came. He said that Asya fell in love with N.N.

Asya. Chapter 14

Gagin was very worried about the state of mind of his sister. After all, Asya, despite all her antics, was a very close person to him. Gagin said that Asya fell ill from love. The girl wanted to leave immediately, so as not to expose herself to torment.

Gagin asked N.N. if he liked Asya. And N.N. was forced to admit that he liked her, but he could not marry her. During the conversation, Gagin and N.N. came to the conclusion that N.N. should immediately go on a date with the girl and talk to her. N.N. is very worried, but, knowing Asya's character, he is not at all eager to marry her.

Asya. Chapter 15

On the way, N.N. meets the boy again, who gives him another note from Asya. In the note, the girl was informed about the change of the meeting place. Now the meeting was at Frau Louise's house.

Asya. Chapter 16

When the young man met Asya, a serious conversation took place between them. Asya is very charming, N.N. cannot help but succumb to her charm. However, he reproaches the girl for telling her brother about her feelings. N.N. wants to do everything possible so that the girl forgets about her love. He convinces her. that needs to be separated. Asya is depressed, she cries, it is very difficult for her. In fact, N.N. seems to play a role.

After all, it depends on him whether the relationship will develop further. Asya's wild, unbridled temper frightens him, so he chose to leave. However young man cannot but touch the sincere feeling of the girl.

Asya. Chapters 17 - 18. Summary.

After the conversation, N.N. "got out of the city and set off straight into the field." He reproached himself for his behavior. Now N. N. regretted that he had lost such an extraordinary girl. When night fell, the young man went to Asya's house.

However, Gagin anxiously says that Asya has disappeared. N.N., together with Gagin, go in search of a girl.

Asya. Chapter 19

Alarmed N.N. feels remorse and even love. He is sincerely concerned about the fate of Asya.

Asya. Chapter 20

After a long search, the young man, climbing the path, saw a light in Asya's room. He immediately went there and learned that the girl had returned.

Delighted, N.N. decided that tomorrow morning he would ask for Asya's hand in marriage. The young man is looking forward to his imminent happiness. “Tomorrow I will be happy! Happiness has no tomorrow; he does not have yesterday either; it does not remember the past, does not think about the future; he has a present - and that is not a day - but a moment.

Asya. Chapters 21-22. Summary.

The next morning, N.N. came to the Gagins. He was struck by one circumstance: all the windows in the house were open, the door as well. The maid told him that everyone had left early in the morning. N.N. handed over a letter from Gagin.

In the letter, he apologized and said goodbye.

“He began by asking not to be angry with him for his sudden departure; he was sure that, in mature consideration, I would approve of his decision. He did not find any other way out of the situation, which could become difficult and dangerous.

Gagin wrote:

“There are prejudices that I respect; I understand that you cannot marry Asya. She told me everything; for her peace of mind, I had to give in to her repeated, intensified requests.

The letter made a painful impression on N.N. Gagin misunderstood him in regard to "prejudices." The origin of Asya did not matter at all for N.N. But Gagin interpreted everything in his own way.

N.N. went in search of the Gagins. He learned that they boarded a steamer and sailed down the Rhine. Before leaving, Frau Louise handed him a small note from Asya. The girl said goodbye to him. N. N. is depressed, he does not know what to do. He went after the Gagins. But, alas, all searches were in vain. He could not find Gagin and Asya.

Only once, several years later, N.N. caught a glimpse of a woman in the carriage who reminded him of Asya. However, he admits that this was a coincidence. N.N. learned nothing more about the fate of Asya. She forever remained for him a young girl whom he recognized at the “best time” of his life.

However, it cannot be said that N.N. longed for Asya for a long time:

“I even found that fate disposed well, not connecting me with Asya; I consoled myself with the thought that I probably would not be happy with such a wife.

However, the feeling that N. N. Asya aroused in the soul never happened again. N.N. never married, he remained forever alone. He always kept notes from the girl and the twig she threw from the window.

I hope this summary of Turgenev's ASYA helped you prepare for your lessons in Russian literature.

The story "Asya" was written by Turgenev in 1859. At this time, the writer was no longer just popular, he had a significant impact on the life of Russian society at that time.

Such significance of the author is explained by the fact that he was able to notice in the most ordinary events moral issues emerging in society. These problems are also seen in the story "Asya". A brief summary of it will show that the plot chosen is the simplest. in which there are experiences and regrets about the past.

"Asya", Turgenev: a summary of chapters 1-4

A certain young man N.N. escaped from his father's house and went abroad. He did not want to continue his education there, he just wanted to see the world. A trip without a plan and purpose: he made acquaintances, watched people, and everything else interested him little.

And in one of the German towns N.N. makes acquaintance with Gagin and his sister Asya. They invite him to their home. And after the very first evening, N.N. remains impressed by the romantic image of Asya.

Weeks have passed. N.N. was a regular visitor to new friends. Asya has always been different, sometimes she is a playful child, sometimes a well-bred young lady, sometimes a simple Russian girl.

But once Asya stopped “playing” her roles, she was upset about something and avoided N.N., who began to suspect that Gagin and Asya were not brother and sister at all. And the story of Gagin partly confirmed these assumptions.

The fact is that Asya was the daughter of Father Gagin and their maid Tatyana. After the death of his father, he takes Asya to St. Petersburg, but on duty he has to send her to a boarding school. Asya spends four years there, and now they are traveling abroad together.

From this story, N.N. becomes easier at heart. Returning to his place, he asks the carrier to let the boat down the river. Everything around, and the sky, and the stars, and water, everything is alive for him and has its own soul.

The story "Asya": a summary of chapters 5-9

When next time N.N. comes to the Gagins' house, he finds Asya somewhat thoughtful. She says she thought a lot about her "bad" upbringing.

She does not know how to sew beautifully, does not play the piano, and those around her are undoubtedly bored. She is interested in what men value most in women, and N.N. would be upset if she suddenly died.

N.N. surprised by such a question, and Asya demands that he always be frank with her. Gagin sees Asya's dejection, offers to play a waltz, but today she is not in the mood to dance.

The story "Asya": a summary of 10-14 chapters

N.N. wanders aimlessly around the city. Suddenly, a boy hands him a note from Asya. She writes that she must see him. The meeting is scheduled near the chapel.

N.N. returns home. At this time, Gagin comes and informs him that Asya is in love with him. Gagin asks if N.N. his sister. He answers in the affirmative, but now he is not ready to marry.

Gagin asks N.N. to go on a date with his sister and have an honest explanation with her. After Gagin's departure, N.N. suffers, he does not know what to do. But in the end he decides that there is no way to marry a young girl with such a disposition.

The story "Asya": a summary of chapters 15-19

Asya has changed the meeting place, now it is Frau Louise's house. Despite his decision, N.N. succumbs to the charm of Asya, he kisses her, hugs her. Then he remembers Gagina and begins to reproach the girl for telling her brother everything, that she did not allow their feelings to develop.

Asya cries, falls to her knees, the young man tries to calm her down. The girl breaks out and quickly runs away from him. N.N. angry with himself, wandering through the fields, regretting that he lost such a beautiful girl.

At night, he goes to the Gagins and finds out that Asya did not return home. They go in search of her, disperse in different directions. N.N. reproaches herself, thinks that Asya has done something to herself. The search does not give a result, and he comes to the Gagins' house.

There he learns that Asya has returned after all. He wants to ask Gagin for the hand of Asya, but the time is late, and he puts off his offer. On the way home, N.N. looks forward to future happiness. He stops under a tree and listens to the singing of a nightingale.

Summary: "Asya" Turgenev 20-22 chapters

In the morning, N.N. hurries to the Gagins' house. He is full of happiness, but he sees that the windows are open, there is no one, the Gagins have left. He is given a note from Asya. In it, she writes that she will never see him again. And if yesterday he had said at least one word to her, she would undoubtedly have stayed. But he didn't say anything, which meant she'd better leave.

N.N. looked for the Gagins for a long time, he followed them everywhere, but he could not find them. And although later he thought that with such a wife he would still not be happy, he never had such a feeling again.

Ivan Turgenev

I

I was then twenty-five years old, - began N.N., - things of bygone days, as you can see. I had just broken free and gone abroad, not in order to “finish my upbringing”, as they used to say then, but simply I wanted to look at the world of God. I was healthy, young, cheerful, no money was transferred from me, worries had not yet had time to start - I lived without looking back, did what I wanted, prospered, in a word. It never occurred to me then that a person is not a plant and that he cannot flourish for a long time. Youth eats gilded gingerbread, and thinks that this is their daily bread; and the time will come - and you will ask for bread. But there is no point in talking about it. I traveled without any purpose, without a plan; I stopped wherever I liked, and immediately set off further as soon as I felt the desire to see new faces - faces. I was occupied exclusively with people; I hated curious monuments, wonderful meetings, the very sight of a long-footman aroused in me a feeling of melancholy and malice; I almost lost my mind in the Dresden Grün Gewölbe. Nature had an extraordinary effect on me, but I did not like her so-called beauties, extraordinary mountains, cliffs, waterfalls; I did not like her to impose herself on me, to interfere with me. But faces, living, human faces - the speeches of people, their movements, laughter - that's what I could not do without. In the crowd it was always especially easy and gratifying for me; I had fun walking where others were going, screaming when others screamed, and at the same time I loved watching those others scream. It amused me to observe people ... but I didn’t even observe them - I examined them with some kind of joyful and insatiable curiosity. But I'm getting sidetracked again. So, about twenty years ago I lived in a small German town Z., on the left bank of the Rhine. I was looking for solitude: I had just been struck in the heart by a young widow whom I met on the waters. She was very pretty and intelligent, flirted with everyone - including me, a sinner - at first she even encouraged me, and then severely stung me, sacrificing me to one red-cheeked Bavarian lieutenant. To confess, the wound in my heart was not very deep; but I considered it my duty to indulge for a while in sadness and loneliness - what youth does not amuse! and settled in Z. I liked this town for its location at the foot of two high hills, its decrepit walls and towers, century-old lindens, a steep bridge over a bright river that flowed into the Rhine - and most importantly, its good wine. Pretty blond German women walked along its narrow streets in the evening, immediately after sunset (it was in June), and, meeting with a foreigner, said in a pleasant voice: “Guten Abend!” - and some of them did not leave even when the moon rose from behind the sharp roofs of old houses and the small stones of the pavement were clearly drawn in its motionless rays. I liked to wander around the city then; the moon seemed to be gazing at him from clear sky; and the city felt this look and stood sensitively and peacefully, all bathed in her light, this serene and at the same time quietly soul-stirring light. The rooster on the high Gothic bell tower gleamed with pale gold; streams shimmered with the same gold over the black gloss of the river; thin candles (a German is thrifty!) flickered modestly in the narrow windows under the slate roofs; vines mysteriously stuck out their curly tendrils from behind stone fences; something was running in the shadows near an old well on a triangular square, a sleepy whistle of a night watchman was suddenly heard, a good-natured dog grumbled in an undertone, and the air was caressing your face, and the lindens smelled so sweet that your chest involuntarily breathed deeper and deeper, and the word : "Gretchen" - not an exclamation, not a question - just begged to be on the lips. The town of Z. lies two versts from the Rhine. I often went to look at the majestic river and, not without some tension, dreaming of a treacherous widow, I sat for long hours on a stone bench under a single huge ash tree. A small statue of a Madonna with an almost childish face and a red heart on her chest, pierced by swords, sadly looked out from its branches. On the opposite bank was the town of L., a little larger than the one in which I settled. One evening I sat on my favorite bench and looked first at the river, then at the sky, then at the vineyards. In front of me, white-headed boys were clambering along the sides of the boat, which was pulled ashore and turned over with its tarred belly up. The ships ran quietly on weakly inflated sails; greenish waves slid past, slightly swelling and rumbling. Suddenly I heard the sounds of music; I listened. Waltz was played in the city of L.; the double bass droned abruptly, the violin sang indistinctly, the flute whistled briskly. - What is this? I asked an old man in a plush waistcoat, blue stockings, and buckled shoes, who came up to me. “This,” he answered me, having previously moved the mouthpiece of his pipe from one corner of his lips to the other, “students have come from B. to the commercial school. “But I’ll have a look at this merchant,” I thought, “by the way, I haven’t been to L..” I found a carrier and went to the other side.

"Asya" is a touching, tender and unusually lyrical story about love. A true gem of I.S. Turgenev.

I was then twenty-five years old, - began N.N., - things of bygone days, as you can see. I had just broken free and gone abroad, not in order to “finish my upbringing,” as they used to say then, but I simply wanted to look at the world of God. I was healthy, young, cheerful, no money was transferred from me, worries had not yet had time to start - I lived without looking back, did what I wanted, prospered, in a word. It never occurred to me then that a person is not a plant and that he cannot flourish for a long time. Youth eats gilded gingerbread, and thinks that this is their daily bread; and the time will come - and you will ask for bread. But there is no point in talking about it.

I traveled without any purpose, without a plan; I stopped wherever I liked, and immediately set off further as soon as I felt the desire to see new faces - namely, faces. I was occupied exclusively with people; I hated curious monuments, wonderful meetings, the very sight of a long-footman aroused in me a feeling of melancholy and malice; I almost lost my mind in the Dresden Grün Gewölbe. Nature had an extraordinary effect on me, but I did not like her so-called beauties, extraordinary mountains, cliffs, waterfalls; I did not like her to impose herself on me, to interfere with me. But faces, living, human faces - the speeches of people, their movements, laughter - that's what I could not do without. In the crowd it was always especially easy and gratifying for me; I had fun walking where others were going, screaming when others screamed, and at the same time I loved watching those others scream. It amused me to observe people ... yes, I didn’t even observe them - I examined them with some kind of joyful and insatiable curiosity. But I'm getting sidetracked again.

So, about twenty years ago I lived in a small German town Z., on the left bank of the Rhine. I was looking for solitude: I had just been struck in the heart by a young widow whom I met on the waters. She was very pretty and intelligent, she flirted with everyone - including me, a sinner - at first she even encouraged me, and then severely stung me, sacrificing me to one red-cheeked Bavarian lieutenant. To confess, the wound in my heart was not very deep; but I considered it my duty to indulge in sadness and loneliness for a while - what youth does not amuse itself with! and settled in Z.

I liked this town for its location at the foot of two high hills, its decrepit walls and towers, century-old lindens, a steep bridge over a bright river that flowed into the Rhine - and most importantly, its good wine. Pretty blond German women walked along its narrow streets in the evening, immediately after sunset (it was in June), and, meeting with a foreigner, said in a pleasant voice: “Guten Abend!” - and some of them did not leave even when the moon rose from behind the sharp roofs of old houses and the small stones of the pavement were clearly drawn in its motionless rays. I liked to wander around the city then; the moon seemed to gaze at him from a clear sky; and the city felt this look and stood sensitively and peacefully, all bathed in her light, this serene and at the same time quietly soul-stirring light. The rooster on the high Gothic bell tower gleamed with pale gold; streams shimmered with the same gold over the black gloss of the river; thin candles (a German is thrifty!) flickered modestly in the narrow windows under the slate roofs; vines mysteriously stuck out their curly tendrils from behind stone fences; something was running in the shadows near an old well on a triangular square, suddenly a sleepy whistle of a night watchman was heard, a good-natured dog grumbled in an undertone, and the air was caressing your face, and the lindens smelled so sweet that your chest involuntarily breathed deeper and deeper, and the word : "Gretchen" - not an exclamation, not a question - just begged to be on the lips.

The town of Z. lies two versts from the Rhine. I often went to look at the majestic river and, not without some tension, dreaming of a treacherous widow, I sat for long hours on a stone bench under a single huge ash tree. A small statue of a Madonna with an almost childish face and a red heart on her chest, pierced by swords, sadly looked out from its branches. On the opposite bank was the town of L., a little larger than the one in which I settled. One evening I sat on my favorite bench and looked first at the river, then at the sky, then at the vineyards. In front of me, white-headed boys were clambering along the sides of the boat, which was pulled ashore and turned over with its tarred belly up. The ships ran quietly on weakly inflated sails; greenish waves slid past, slightly swelling and rumbling. Suddenly I heard the sounds of music: I listened. Waltz was played in the city of L.; the double bass droned abruptly, the violin sang indistinctly, the flute whistled briskly.

- What is this? I asked an old man in a plush waistcoat, blue stockings, and buckled shoes, who came up to me.

“This,” he answered me, having previously moved the mouthpiece of his pipe from one corner of his lips to the other, “students came from B. to the commercial school.

“But I’ll have a look at this merchant,” I thought, “by the way, I haven’t been to L..” I found a carrier and went to the other side.

Turgenev Ivan

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev

I was then twenty-five years old, - N.N. began, things of bygone days, as you can see. I had just broken free and gone abroad, not in order to "finish my upbringing", as they used to say then, but I simply wanted to look at the world of God. I was healthy, young, cheerful, no money was transferred from me, worries had not yet had time to start - I lived without looking back, did what I wanted, prospered, in a word. It never occurred to me then that a person is not a plant and that he cannot flourish for a long time. Youth eats gilded gingerbread, and thinks that this is their daily bread; and the time will come - and you will ask for bread. But there is no point in talking about it.

I traveled without any purpose, without a plan; I stopped wherever I liked, and immediately set off further, as soon as I felt a desire to see new faces - namely, faces. I was occupied exclusively with people; I hated curious monuments, wonderful meetings, the mere sight of a long-footman aroused in me a feeling of melancholy and malice; I almost lost my mind in Dresden's Grün Gevelbe. Nature had an extraordinary effect on me, but I did not like her so-called beauties, extraordinary mountains, cliffs, waterfalls; I did not like her to impose herself on me, to interfere with me. But faces, living human faces - people's speeches, their movements, laughter - that's what I could not do without. In the crowd it was always especially easy and gratifying for me; I had fun going where others were going, screaming when others screamed, and at the same time I loved watching those others scream. It amused me to observe people ... yes, I did not even observe them - I examined them with some kind of joyful and insatiable curiosity. But I'm getting sidetracked again.

So, about twenty years ago I lived in a small German town Z., on the left bank of the Rhine. I was looking for solitude: I had just been struck in the heart by a young widow whom I met on the waters. She was very pretty and smart, she flirted with everyone - and with me, a sinner, at first she even encouraged me, and then severely stung me, sacrificing me to one red-cheeked Bavarian lieutenant. To confess, the wound in my heart was not very deep; but I considered it my duty to indulge in sadness and loneliness for a while - what youth does not amuse itself with! - and settled in Z.

I liked this little town for its location at the foot of two high hills, for its decrepit walls and towers, century-old lindens, for its steep bridge over a bright river that flowed into the Rhine - and most importantly, for its good wine. Pretty blond German women walked along its narrow streets in the evening, immediately after sunset (it was in June), and, meeting with a foreigner, said in a pleasant voice: "Guten Abend!" - and some of them did not leave even when the moon rose from behind the sharp roofs of old houses and the small stones of the pavement were clearly drawn in its motionless rays. I loved to wander around the city then; the moon seemed to gaze at him from a clear sky; and the city felt this look and stood sensitively and peacefully, all bathed in her light, this serene and at the same time quietly soul-stirring light. The rooster on the high Gothic bell tower gleamed with pale gold; streams shimmered with the same gold over the black gloss of the river; thin candles (a German is thrifty!) flickered modestly in the narrow windows under the slate roofs; vines mysteriously stuck out their curly tendrils from behind stone fences; something was running in the shadows near an old well on a triangular square, suddenly a sleepy whistle of a night watchman was heard, a good-natured dog grumbled in an undertone, and the air was caressing your face, and the lindens smelled so sweet that your chest involuntarily breathed deeper and deeper, and the word "Gretchen" - not an exclamation, not a question - just begged to be on the lips.

The town of Z. lies two versts from the Rhine. I often went to look at the majestic river and, not without some tension, dreaming of a treacherous widow, I sat for long hours on a stone bench under a single huge ash tree. A small statue of a Madonna with an almost childish face and a red heart on her chest, pierced by swords, sadly looked out from its branches. On the opposite bank was the town of L., a little larger than the one in which I settled. One evening I was sitting on my favorite bench and looking now at the river, now at the sky, now at the vineyards. In front of me, white-headed boys were clambering along the sides of the boat, which was pulled ashore and turned over with its tarred belly up. The ships ran quietly on weakly inflated sails; greenish waves slid past, slightly swelling and rumbling. Suddenly I heard the sounds of music; I listened. Waltz was played in the city of L.; the double bass droned abruptly, the violin sang indistinctly, the flute whistled briskly.

What is this? I asked an old man in a plush waistcoat, blue stockings, and buckled shoes, who came up to me.

This, - he answered me, having previously moved the mouthpiece of his pipe from one corner of his lips to another, - the students came from B. to the commercial school.

“I’ll have a look at this merchant,” I thought, “by the way, I haven’t been to L..” I found a carrier and went to the other side.

Maybe not everyone knows what a business is. This is a special kind of solemn feast, to which students of one land or brotherhood (Landsmannschaft) converge. Almost all participants in the commercial wear the long-established costume of German students: Hungarians, big boots and small hats with bands of famous colors. Students usually gather for dinner under the chairmanship of a senior, that is, a foreman, and they feast until morning, drink, sing songs, Landesvater, Gaudeamus, smoke, scold the philistines; sometimes they hire an orchestra.

Such a business exactly took place in L. in front of a small hotel under the sign of the Sun, in a garden overlooking the street. Flags flew over the hotel itself and over the garden; the students sat at tables under trimmed lindens; a huge bulldog lay under one of the tables; off to one side, in an ivy arbor, the musicians were seated and playing diligently, fortifying themselves with beer every now and then. In the street, in front of the low fence of the garden, quite a lot of people had gathered: the good citizens of L. did not want to miss the opportunity to stare at the visiting guests. I also intervened in the crowd of spectators. I had fun looking at the faces of the students; their embraces, their exclamations, the innocent flirtatiousness of youth, burning glances, laughter for no reason - the best laughter in the world - all this joyful boiling of young, fresh life, this impulse forward - wherever, if only forward - this good-natured expanse touched me and set it on fire. "Shouldn't you go to them?" I asked myself...

Asya, is it enough for you? - suddenly said a male voice behind me in Russian.

Let's wait a little longer, - answered another, female voice in the same language.