Ivan Goncharov: Oblomov. A Common Story

This book includes two immortal novels by Ivan Alexandrovich Goncharov, one of the classics of Russian literature.
“A Common Story” (1847) is his debut novel. It unfolds the eternal story of the collapse of illusions. A young romantic arrives from the provinces to the capital, full of hope, dreaming of literary fame, friendship, and pure love. In St. Petersburg, he comes “under the wing” of his uncle, a man of great life experience who is skeptical of lofty dreams and aspirations. The conflict between two generations, two characters, and two worldviews in “A Common Story” is depicted with the subtle humor and poignant lyricism characteristic of Goncharov.
The novel “Oblomov” (1859) is the pinnacle of I. A. Goncharov’s work. The writer portrayed a surprising and paradoxical type of Russian person, making his name a household word. The novel drew a mixed reaction from critics. N. A. Dobrolyubov saw in Oblomov a symbol of Russia’s stagnation and a sign of the times. And, for example, A. V. Druzhinin wrote: “He is dear to us as an independent and pure nature, completely free from the scholastic-moral triteness that stains the vast majority of people...” Some interpreted the novel as a satirical work, while others noted both a lyrical vein and subtle psychologism in it. This original and one-of-a-kind book still sparks debate today.

Author: Ivan Goncharov

Pages: 736 (offset). Hardcover

Dimensions: 215x145x35 mm

Series: Russian Literature. Big Books