Fathers and Sons by Ivan S. Turgenev

Unlike most of the Russian novels I have read, this was actually a pretty short book and a fairly quick read.  Like most of the Russian novels I have read, it sometimes ventures into philosophical or political discussions and is a little depressing.  It does, however, have a happy ending.  The book, as you would expect, is about the relations between two newly-graduated university students and their respective fathers.  In these limited interactions, though, it actually explores the differences between the generations.  It is sad to see the fathers (and an uncle) as they try to be close to their sons, while the sons feel the older generation could never understand the modern world and the modern ideas the sons have embraced.  I would love to have my son read this!  It doesn't have the power of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, but it is definitely worth the time.