Lgov by Ivan Turgenev. Short summary

5 seconds

The author was duck hunting near Lgov. He met up with the scarecrow Vladimir and the serf Suchok. The hunters’ boat sank, but all ended safely.

1 minute

A story from the series «Notes of a Hunter.» The author and his servant Yermolai go to L’gov, where there is a wide river flooded with ducks. But it is not possible to hunt, as the dogs cannot reach the game because of the dense reeds. It was decided to go to L’gov for a boat.

On the way hunters meet a young boy Vladimir with a black kerchief tied under his chin. He volunteered to help. On the way he tells of his life. The lord let him go when he was a child, for he was able-bodied.

He is now a valet, educated and good at music. He wears a handkerchief because a certain hunter accidentally shot off part of his chin and his finger.

Vladimir leads the author to Bitch, an old serf who has changed many professions, from coachman to actor. His boat was bad, but the hunters caulked it and took it. Vladimir was instructed to scoop the water out of it, but he got carried away by the hunt.

The boat sank, everyone was in the icy water. Yermolay found a ford. The hunters and the dogs dried off in the barn.