Iwan Alexandrowitsch Gontscharow Books

"After his university studies and a short stint in the army and the civil service, thirty-something Boris Pavlovich Raisky enjoys the life of an artist, frequenting St Petersburg's elegant circles, dabbing at his paintings, playing a little music and entertaining thoughts of writing a novel. But for a man like him, who has achieved nothing so far and by his own admission is "not born to work", the bustle of the capital proves too much, so he decides to visit his country estate of Malinovka. There he hopes to rediscover the joys of a simpler and more authentic life--but when he becomes emotionally involved with his beautiful cousin Vera and meets the dangerous freethinker Mark Volokhov, the scene is set for a chain of events that will lead to disappointment, confrontation and, ultimately, tragedy. Conceived twenty years before its initial publication in 1869, and regarded by its author as his best work, Malinovka Heights (previously translated in English as The Precipice) is Goncharov's crowning achievement as a novelist and a triumph of psychological insight. Here presented for the first time in unabridged form in a sparkling new translation by Stephen Pearl, Goncharov's final novel deserves to be reassessed as one of the most important classics of nineteenth-century Russian literature." --Amazon.com

Set against the backdrop of an 1852 expedition to the Far East, the narrative follows Ivan Goncharov, a notable author, as he serves as secretary to Admiral Putyatin aboard the frigate Pallada. The journey includes stops in London, Cape Town, and various Asian ports like Java and Japan. Goncharov meticulously documents his experiences through logs, diary entries, and letters, which later contribute to a comprehensive account of the voyage, offering insights into his travels and the diverse cultures encountered along the way.

A comedic story about a member of the landed gentry of nineteenth-century Russia whose indolence destroys his life.

Die Geschichte von Oblomow dreht sich um den trägen und passiven Protagonisten Iwan Iwanowitsch Oblomow, der in einer Welt der gesellschaftlichen Erwartungen und persönlichen Ambitionen gefangen ist. Durch seine Unentschlossenheit und die ständige Flucht vor Verantwortung wird er zum Symbol für die Stagnation der russischen Gesellschaft im 19. Jahrhundert. Die vollständige Ausgabe umfasst alle vier Teile und bietet tiefgreifende Einblicke in Themen wie Faulheit, soziale Konventionen und den Konflikt zwischen Idealismus und Realität.

Der große Bruder des „Oblomows“ nach Jahrzehnten endlich neu übersetzt von Vera Bischitzky – Iwan Gontscharows erster RomanAlexander Fjodorytsch Adujew ist noch jung, und nun soll er in der Hauptstadt Karriere machen. Was für ein verheerender Tag für seine Mutter Anna Pawlowna! Denn gehört ein junger Mann nicht beschützt? Ist er den Herausforderungen im Beruf, in der Liebe, in der Gesellschaft gewachsen?„Eine gewöhnliche Geschichte“, 1847 erschienen, ist der große Bruder des weltberühmten „Oblomow“ – ein Roman, der enormes Aufsehen erregte: In seinem jugendlichen Schwärmer erkannten die Zeitgenossen sofort die zögernde, zwischen alt und neu zerrissene Generation in der auf ihr Ende zugehenden feudalen Gesellschaft. Wer Russland verstehen will, muss Gontscharow lesen.

Un provinciale idealista vive a Pietroburgo della rendita di una tenuta dimenticata, nella piú assoluta inerzia fisica e psichica. In una camera coperta di ragnatele e di libri ingialliti giace nella sua «normale posizione» su un emblematico divano, dormendo e sognando, stanco e insensibile ai rumori della vita. Specchio di un fatalismo storico, Oblomov è stato considerato dalla critica l'eroe immortale della pigrizia, prodotto di una generazione viziata e apatica, inerte e priva di volontà, che non ha saputo dedicarsi a quelle riforme di cui necessitava la società russa. Con ironia pungente e forza narrativa, Goncarov crea intorno al protagonista un'atmosfera ossessiva e a tratti morbosa che denuncia non solo l'arretratezza civile di una nazione ma soprattutto i conflitti interiori di ogni coscienza umana.