This was published in 1910, but my copy was a recent translation into English. And the cover blurb is right, it does have relevance to the world we live in.
This is set in Russia, which is experienecing upheaval. There has been some incident in the university (we are not sure exactly what) that has caused the university to be suspended and the chancellor has recieved threats on account of this action. He has retreated, with his wife and 3 children, to his country house and the book is set there. The letters on this come from the 5 of the family plus the young man hired as a bodyguard come secretary to protect the chancellor.
An epistolary novel, we don't get to read all of the correspondance that is happening, so you're never quite sure of eveything that is going on. All of the letters in this come from 6 people and are (mostly) outwards going, which adds to an air of opression, you see very little of the world outside.
There's a lot that is left unsaid. We're never sure of exactly what happened, only that it has divided the population, and divides, to some extent, the family as well. There is a marked difference between those who hold a view and those who hold it strngly enough to actually act upon it, and that is made clear in the letters, but, of course, those are not seen by the people in the house.
It ends very abruptly, and the aftermath of the actions taken are not explored. What happens next it left entirely to your imagination and speculation.
This was a most intriguing read and the blurb is right, this is a book that continues to have relevance even after the passge of time. ( )