Transports you back to 1799 Russia; in a vivid and simply written narrative, Aksakov recalls being sent away from his beloved family home to a distant boarding school. A harsh awakening, hysterical (?) episodes, his devoted mother travels to fetch him home...and a scarcely credible scene (to the 21st century reader) of having to get the school governor's permission before she can remove him in an almost law court type of hearing!
After a year at home - Aksakov recalls the scenery and the field sports - he returns to school and makes a better show of it this time round, shining at literature, and becoming massively interested in the theatre.
Very well written. ( )