The Hunting Sketches, Book 2

An intriguing confession of doctor's romantic involvement with a beautiful 20 year old patient. Followed by Turgenev's exquisite, often meditative descriptions of Russian countryside and mysterious herbalist Kassyan infatuated with Gamayane, a prophetic bird of Russian folklore, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Read in English (unabridged).

"It's hard to die at twenty without having known love..."

"Queer things happen in the world: you may live a long while with some people, and be on friendly terms with them, and never once speak openly with them from your soul; with others you have scarcely time to get acquainted, and all at once you are pouring out to him – or he to you – all your secrets, as though you were at confession."

Track List:

The District Doctor

01 Confession

02 Call Of Duty

Kassyan Of Fair Springs

03 Hot Summer Day

04 Yudino

05 The Clearing

06 Oracle-Bird Gamayune

07 Girl In A Blue Frock

In "The District Doctor", a traveller falls ill and is treated by the local physician, who unexpectedly shares a story with the stranger. Once the doctor was asked to make a house call by a woman who believed her daughter might be dying. On his arrival, the physician finds a beautiful 20 year old woman who is feverish and initially unconscious. Although fully aware how ill she is, he nonetheless promises everyone that she will survive. He is immediately infatuated with the woman and spends days and nights at her bed side caring for this single patient. As Alexandra's condition worsens and she becomes convinced her death is imminent, she professes love for the doctor. "It's hard to die at twenty without having known love; this was what was torturing her this was why, in despair, she caught at me", asserts the doctor during his confession. Just before her death, the doctor lies about their relationship to Alexandra's mother. Later the doctor marries another woman. Did he marry for love, convenience, or money?