Picture this: It's 18th-century Russia. Ivan, a kind but hopelessly naive country gentleman, suddenly comes into a massive fortune. He packs up and heads for the glittering social scene of St. Petersburg, ready to live the high life. The problem? The city is full of people who see him not as a person, but as a walking wallet.

The Story

Ivan's new 'friends' are a parade of con artists and social climbers. There's the flatterer who praises his terrible poetry, the matchmaking mother pushing her daughter at him, and the 'businessmen' with can't-miss investment schemes. Ivan, trusting to a fault, nearly gets swindled out of everything. The comedy comes from watching him stumble through this minefield of false charm, slowly (very slowly) realizing that his country honesty is a rare commodity in the city.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me is how fresh this 250-year-old joke feels. Sure, the wigs and carriages are different, but the core idea—that money attracts phonies—is timeless. Fonvizin doesn't just make you laugh at Ivan; he makes you root for him. You'll find yourself yelling at the page, 'Don't sign that contract!' The characters are broad but brilliant, each representing a different flavor of greed and pretension. It's a play that winks at you, saying human nature hasn't changed much.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves a classic comedy of manners, like the works of Molière or Oscar Wilde, but wants to explore a Russian perspective. It's also a great, accessible entry point into classic Russian literature—much lighter than Dostoevsky! If you enjoy stories where the simpleton is actually the smartest person in the room, and you don't mind reading a play (the dialogue zips along), you'll get a real kick out of 'Der Landjunker.'