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mothbaby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
hadeanstars's review against another edition
4.0
“That’s it! I’ll start tomorrow. Today I don’t have time; I’m too busy thinking about it.”
So goes the entire life philosophy of Ilyich Oblomov, taking with it all his hopes, dreams, and time. And the love of Olga, who cannot abide his worldview, though she cares for him deeply.
This is a remarkable novel by an author I’d not even heard of until I decided to read more Russian literature. It begins as a Proustian masterpiece, and if you’ve read Proust then you’ll know that nobody writes in the same way, except perhaps Ivan Goncharov who describes Oblomov’s childhood home with such care and meticulousness that you are transported to another world, it is almost a fairytale, but not without a hint of darkness, just as all fairytales have. I was intrigued to read the continual reference to Oblomovka, as a Russian diminutive meaning ‘place of origin’ among other things, and reading around the novel after completing it, that Oblomovism is a synonym for laziness. You will find it in the thesaurus.
Written in 1859, 50 years before the Russian Revolution, you nonetheless feel the underlying tensions which led to such upheaval, because this novel is very much a treatise on the failings of the gentry, and the suffering of the lackey which resulted in the emancipation of the serfs.
But underneath this political message, there is a human one. Oblomov is a gentle and sweet man, handicapped by his soporific upbringing and who thereby loses all passion for life. It is a really wonderful book, beautifully written, but of course, its message is a sad one.
So goes the entire life philosophy of Ilyich Oblomov, taking with it all his hopes, dreams, and time. And the love of Olga, who cannot abide his worldview, though she cares for him deeply.
This is a remarkable novel by an author I’d not even heard of until I decided to read more Russian literature. It begins as a Proustian masterpiece, and if you’ve read Proust then you’ll know that nobody writes in the same way, except perhaps Ivan Goncharov who describes Oblomov’s childhood home with such care and meticulousness that you are transported to another world, it is almost a fairytale, but not without a hint of darkness, just as all fairytales have. I was intrigued to read the continual reference to Oblomovka, as a Russian diminutive meaning ‘place of origin’ among other things, and reading around the novel after completing it, that Oblomovism is a synonym for laziness. You will find it in the thesaurus.
Written in 1859, 50 years before the Russian Revolution, you nonetheless feel the underlying tensions which led to such upheaval, because this novel is very much a treatise on the failings of the gentry, and the suffering of the lackey which resulted in the emancipation of the serfs.
But underneath this political message, there is a human one. Oblomov is a gentle and sweet man, handicapped by his soporific upbringing and who thereby loses all passion for life. It is a really wonderful book, beautifully written, but of course, its message is a sad one.
lmconway_ak's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found this a difficult read. I suppose being unfamiliar with the culture and life at that time may contribute to my inability to "like" this book. I feel I need to read other Russian literature and then come back and read this one again.
lilirose's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Più andavo avanti a leggere questo libro più nella mia mente il paragone con Madame Bovary di Flaubert si faceva inevitabile.
Non tanto per il fatto che siano stati scritti nello stesso periodo e siano entrambi assurti alle massime altezze della letteratura mondiale, quanto perché tutti e due i romanzi sono incentrati su un protagonista debole e alla lunga sgradevole: specchio dei propri tempi, certo, ma anche e soprattutto archetipo di un preciso stato psicologico a cui prima della stesura di tali opere nessuno aveva ancora dato un nome e una definizione precisa. Sul bovarismo non mi soffermo, ormai è entrato nel sentire comune, mentre l'oblomovismo è forse meno conosciuto ma altrettanto meritevole di attenzione: si tratta di una sorta di apatia, di inerzia patologica unita ad una completa inettitudine alla vita pratica, capace di guastare anche gli spiriti migliori come quello del nostro Oblomov. Proprietario terriero, dotato di intelligenza vivace e di nobili sentimenti, apparentemente avrebbe tutte le carte in regola per riuscire nella vita, invece si trascina passivamente un giorno dopo l'altro, sprofondando in un pantano di inedia. E' l'unico vero nemico di se stesso, nemmeno l'amore riuscirà a scuoterlo e se lo lascerà scivolar via dalle dita; concluderà dunque la sua esistenza sepolto in casa, accompagnandosi ad una donna inferiore a lui sia socialmente che intellettualmente e preoccupato solo di bere e mangiare bene.
Naturalmente (proprio come la sua controparte francese) non sarebbe un capolavoro se oltre al magnifico lavoro di introspezione psicologica non tratteggiasse anche un quadro perfetto della Russia di metà ottocento, divisa fra l'immobilismo della classe aristocratica rappresentata da Oblomov e le nuove pulsioni economiche e sociali rappresentate da Stol'c, amico d'infanzia del protagonista. Sullo stile ovviamente non mi soffermo, va da se che se ha superato così brillantemente la prova del tempo uno dei meriti risiederà nella scrittura di Goncharov.
In conclusione un libro pregiato e pregevole, ma che tuttavia (di nuovo, come per Madame Bovary) non è riuscito a toccare le corde della mia emotività a causa della mancanza di empatia verso i personaggi e la loro sorte.
Non tanto per il fatto che siano stati scritti nello stesso periodo e siano entrambi assurti alle massime altezze della letteratura mondiale, quanto perché tutti e due i romanzi sono incentrati su un protagonista debole e alla lunga sgradevole: specchio dei propri tempi, certo, ma anche e soprattutto archetipo di un preciso stato psicologico a cui prima della stesura di tali opere nessuno aveva ancora dato un nome e una definizione precisa. Sul bovarismo non mi soffermo, ormai è entrato nel sentire comune, mentre l'oblomovismo è forse meno conosciuto ma altrettanto meritevole di attenzione: si tratta di una sorta di apatia, di inerzia patologica unita ad una completa inettitudine alla vita pratica, capace di guastare anche gli spiriti migliori come quello del nostro Oblomov. Proprietario terriero, dotato di intelligenza vivace e di nobili sentimenti, apparentemente avrebbe tutte le carte in regola per riuscire nella vita, invece si trascina passivamente un giorno dopo l'altro, sprofondando in un pantano di inedia. E' l'unico vero nemico di se stesso, nemmeno l'amore riuscirà a scuoterlo e se lo lascerà scivolar via dalle dita; concluderà dunque la sua esistenza sepolto in casa, accompagnandosi ad una donna inferiore a lui sia socialmente che intellettualmente e preoccupato solo di bere e mangiare bene.
Naturalmente (proprio come la sua controparte francese) non sarebbe un capolavoro se oltre al magnifico lavoro di introspezione psicologica non tratteggiasse anche un quadro perfetto della Russia di metà ottocento, divisa fra l'immobilismo della classe aristocratica rappresentata da Oblomov e le nuove pulsioni economiche e sociali rappresentate da Stol'c, amico d'infanzia del protagonista. Sullo stile ovviamente non mi soffermo, va da se che se ha superato così brillantemente la prova del tempo uno dei meriti risiederà nella scrittura di Goncharov.
In conclusione un libro pregiato e pregevole, ma che tuttavia (di nuovo, come per Madame Bovary) non è riuscito a toccare le corde della mia emotività a causa della mancanza di empatia verso i personaggi e la loro sorte.
lakmus's review against another edition
4.0
I mean, damn. This is hitting close to home, man. I know about the historical/political interpretations of this story, but even if read at surface meaning, it's pretty horrific. As a passive, indecisive person I can say this is like a death sentence. It's painful to read. It seems like I am one of the few people who didn't find this book droning or boring. Death sentences can be pretty long, but you are never bored if you are on the receiving end.
It's kinda depressing really. This author leaves me no hope at all. Yeah, there is the second generation type solution, but that's really no good – I, Oblomov, am in my grave.
I need to come back to this review in a year's time, see if it had had the motivational effect it seems to be giving off right now.
It's kinda depressing really. This author leaves me no hope at all. Yeah, there is the second generation type solution, but that's really no good – I, Oblomov, am in my grave.
I need to come back to this review in a year's time, see if it had had the motivational effect it seems to be giving off right now.
lmconway_ak's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I believe I am missing a great deal here and feel reading other Russian literature, then coming back to this for a re-read.
noteworthy_fiction's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
madfil's review against another edition
5.0
(23 May, 2012)
(8 March, 2022)*
*Read this 10 years ago and it is still a fantastic novel: evocative imagery, happy memories, good guys and bad guys and an weirdly unsatisfying ending. It is ever better on the second read.
Ilya Ilich Oblomov is one of the most beautifully simple characters of all time. Although an example of a increasingly obsolete nobility, his idea of a life worth living is an attractive one. It contrasts with 21st century thought in a very powerful way, we are the decadent ones.
The story itself is fine: business, love, friendship, intrigue, I have no issues with it. The best part of 'Oblomov' is Oblomov himself, he is strangely compelling, he does not want to take advantage of anyone. Even the thought of pursuing his fleeing serfs is not an alluring option for him. He wants nothing more than a, perhaps overly, simple life. In many ways, not all mind you, I am a big fan of his.
(8 March, 2022)*
*Read this 10 years ago and it is still a fantastic novel: evocative imagery, happy memories, good guys and bad guys and an weirdly unsatisfying ending. It is ever better on the second read.
Ilya Ilich Oblomov is one of the most beautifully simple characters of all time. Although an example of a increasingly obsolete nobility, his idea of a life worth living is an attractive one. It contrasts with 21st century thought in a very powerful way, we are the decadent ones.
The story itself is fine: business, love, friendship, intrigue, I have no issues with it. The best part of 'Oblomov' is Oblomov himself, he is strangely compelling, he does not want to take advantage of anyone. Even the thought of pursuing his fleeing serfs is not an alluring option for him. He wants nothing more than a, perhaps overly, simple life. In many ways, not all mind you, I am a big fan of his.
musicsaves's review against another edition
5.0
In the midst of exploding unrest in America, and while personally researching and working on concrete changes that I can bring about in myself, I was in the middle of reading this wonderful Russian classic. It was a breath of refreshing distraction that was much needed when taking temporary breaks from the urgent work needed in the world outside of this charming novel.
And this story of a man, pure of heart, but unmotivated to take action to improve his personal life also provided a fascinating contrast to today when “purity” of heart (read, “best of intentions’) is not enough to bring about the critical change that’s needed in all of our lives. The Black Lives Matter movement that has now, importantly, become much more than a mere movement cries out for us to avoid Oblomovism. To get up off our couches and move with energetic purpose to help bring about a better future.
And this story of a man, pure of heart, but unmotivated to take action to improve his personal life also provided a fascinating contrast to today when “purity” of heart (read, “best of intentions’) is not enough to bring about the critical change that’s needed in all of our lives. The Black Lives Matter movement that has now, importantly, become much more than a mere movement cries out for us to avoid Oblomovism. To get up off our couches and move with energetic purpose to help bring about a better future.
zeyyagidik's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0