First published in 1870 'King Lear of the Steppes' is a novella by Russian writer Ivan Turgenev, loosely based on Shakespeare's tragedy. The story takes place in the Russian countryside, where a trusting father decides to retire and divide his property between his two daughters. The move proves to be a mistake however, and throughout the story Turgenev raises questions about love, life, and family. A captivating read for fans of Russian literature.