Oblomov

by Ivan Goncharov Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

Oblomov is the best known novel by Russian writer Ivan Goncharov, first published in 1859. Oblomov is also the central character of the novel, often seen as the ultimate incarnation of the superfluous man, a symbolic character in 19th-century Russian literature. Oblomov is a young, generous nobleman who seems incapable of making important decisions or undertaking any significant actions. Spoiled as a child to the point of not even being able to put on his own socks, Oblomov is unprepared to deal with the smallest difficulty of adult life. In his fevered dreams he sees the words "Oblomovstchina" ("Oblomovism" or in this translation "the disease of Oblomovka") in flaming letters on the ceiling putting a name to the disability of which he is all too aware.

This romantic novel was considered a satire of Russian nobility whose social and economic function was increasingly in question in mid-nineteenth century Russia, and from it the word "Oblomovstchina" entered the Russian vocabulary. (Summary by Wikipedia and Kevin Davidson)

Note: This 1915 edition was abridged by the translator.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

Reaching back to 1859, Oblomov is Russian novelist Goncharov's best-known work, and this is the first new translation in more than 50 years. The book was praised by Tolstoy and others as one of their nation's great works. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

London Review of Books

"Offers a fine example of sly and compassionate satire, a very rare genre indeed"—Michael Wood, London Review of Books

Anton Chekhov

"[Goncharov is] ten heads above me in talent.”—Anton Chekhov

Quarterly Conversation

The combination of Goncharov's edits and Schwartz’s translation left me thumbing back to the copyright page to confirm 1862, not 1962, as this translation sparkles with contemporary lyricism and humor."—Karen Vanuska, Quarterly Conversation

Bookforum

Long before Jerry Seinfeld and Samuel Beckett, there was Ivan Goncharov, a minor government official in czarist Russia, and his classic novel about an ordinary Russian aristocrat mired in his own extraordinary inertia.”—Chris Lehman, Bookforum

Slate

"You can't help but be captivated by the 'rapture' that Tolstoy spoke of when reading and rereading it."—Ron Rosenblum, Slate, A Slate Best Book of 2008

Leo Tolstoy

Oblomov is a truly great work, the likes of which one has not seen for a long, long time. I am in rapture over Oblomov and keep rereading it.”—Leo Tolstoy

From the Publisher

Oblomov is a truly great work, the likes of which one has not seen for a long, long time. I am in rapture over Oblomov and keep rereading it.” ―Leo Tolstoy

“[Goncharov is] ten heads above me in talent.” ―Anton Chekhov

Slate

"You can't help but be captivated by the 'rapture' that Tolstoy spoke of when reading and rereading it."—Ron Rosenblum, Slate, A Slate Best Book of 2008

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169162615
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014

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