“First love is a revolution… The monotonous and correct order of established life is broken down and destroyed in one instant…” — Ivan Turgenev Chapter 1 The story […]
Russian literature
Youth
“I am convinced that there is no love so strong as that which is founded on repentance.” Chapter 1: The Beginning of Youth Nikolai Irtenev, now sixteen, reflects […]
Russian literature
Boyhood
“The whole difference between people lies in the process by which they arrive at truth.” Chapter 1: Departure from Childhood Nikolai (the protagonist) reflects on leaving his childhood […]
Russian literature
Childhood
“Happy, happy, never-returning time of childhood! How can one help loving and cherishing its memories?” Chapter 1: The Morning of Departure The story begins with ten-year-old Nikolenka Irtenev […]
French literature
The Book of Proper Names
“Names are the fingerprints of the soul.” Chapter 1: The Birth of Plectrude The novel opens with the birth of Plectrude, a name chosen by her father, a […]
French literature
Claudine at School
“I was fifteen, and I was bored.” — Claudine at School Chapter 1: Introduction to Claudine’s World The novel opens with Claudine, a bright and mischievous fifteen-year-old girl, […]
French literature
Gigi
“She was fifteen and a half, and she had never been kissed.” — Colette, Gigi Chapter 1: Introduction to Gigi The story opens in Paris, introducing Gilberte “Gigi,” […]
French literature
Bonjour Tristesse
“This strange new feeling of mine, obsessing me by its sweet languor, is such that I am reluctant to name it. Could it be sadness?” Chapter 1 Cécile, […]
French literature
The Devil in the Flesh
“I was fifteen. I lied about my age. I said I was seventeen. I was tall for my age, and I looked older than I was.” Chapter 1: […]
American literature
Hatchet
“He would not die. He would not let death in. He would fight it.” Chapter 1 Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy, boards a small plane to visit his […]