Oblomov

By: Ivan Goncharov

Narrated by: Leighton Pugh

Oblomov is one of the most distinctive characters in Russian literature - within a short time following its publication in 1859, the novel spawned its own saying: ‘Oblomovism’! From the pen of Ivan Goncharov (1812-1891) emerged a portrait of a young man, Ilya Ilyitch Oblomov, who represented a figure well known in prerevolutionary Russia at the time - one of the idle rich.

A member of the landed gentry, with a seemingly guaranteed income from his estate in the country, Oblomov lives in Petersburg, uninterested in the business that provides his living and barely aware that the revenue is diminishing. Not that he leads a dissolute life of extravagance, balls and entertainment. Instead he is a dreamer, a sybarite, content above all to spend most of the day supine, in bed.

The novel opens with Oblomov thus ensconced, attended only by his dirty, grumbling, indolent servant Zahar, who has looked after him since childhood, catering to his every need. From time to time, Oblomov is visited by friends, some of whom see him only as a bottomless financial source, though others, like the energetic Andrey Stolz, try genuinely to encourage him to shake off the spell of lassitude.

There is a sudden period of success as the young and attractive Olga enters the story, drawing Oblomov from his cocoon, but will it last?

This is Goncharov’s masterpiece - skilled and imaginative literature; and it puts him unquestionably beside the major figures of Gogol, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Turgenev, even if it is really the one work by which he is remembered.

Natalie Doddington’s unabridged translation, used here, was the first in English and is fluent and nuanced, reflecting the gem of the original and remains highly respected. This sympathetic and characterful reading by Leighton Pugh is the first unabridged recording in English.

Public Domain (P)2020 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Multiple Perspectives

At various points I felt the book was turning into say a condemnation of the Russian landed gentry but in each case the picture turned out to be much more complex. You realize there’s a bit of oblomov everywhere. You wonder how much of what’s being discussed would now be simply treated as an anxiety disorder. The book is so rich and I guess that’s why it has lasted.

A geem

Goncharov's irony as he tells the story of the good natured but feckless Oblomov was a delightful discovery. The novel exhibits the deep psychological insight of Dostoevsky, but is set in a world in which the principal characters, save one, are decent and well meaning. The chaste love affair at the center of the novel is excruciating and touching.

great character analysis

Oblomov is an engaging takedown of prerevolutionary Russian aristocracy. Oblomov suffered from 'Oblovomism,' we are told in the final lines of the novel, which appears to be a kind of 'high-time preference' that leads him to favor short term fulfillment over long term planning. However, I wondered if he wasn't freer after his aristocratic yoke was lifted. a good tragi-comic period novel for lovers of Russia lit.

So Much Better Than the Abridged Version!

I recently listened to the plus+ abridged version, and didn’t realize it was shortened until I noticed a comment saying so…AFTER I had already finished. This was is a completely different—and much better—experience. I highly recommend that anyone waffling between the the A/Un books, go with this one!

Stellar Storytelling, but Which Translation?

A fantastic narration of Oblomov, but I could not figure out from which translation he was reading was from. This is a huge pet peeve of mine and many others — how hard is it for Audible to list the name of the translator??!

Far exceeded my expectations

Stellar performance and excellent story!
I have not expected that this book can touch me so much through my listening.
It has beauty, tenderness, hope, hopelessness and the reality… it was written so beautifully and read splendidly! It leaves me think and also enveloped me with warmth and sadness at the same time.
Simply brilliant!
There are not so many characters nor names to remember as other russian classics. Very suitable for listening.

MASTERFUL!!!

This is the best book I have ever read in my entire life. Perhaps it’s only me but Gogol’s, Dostoyevsky’s, and Tolstoy’s masterpieces are dwarfed by Oblomov in many respect. All praises in form and content (specially in content) - that’s all I can say... with awe and joy! 😊👍🏼

Complex characters

Excellent book takes us back to pre revolutionary Russia. Serfs were not much better than slaves. Wealthy landowners could live off their rental income without ever working. Oblomov takes this to an extreme. He is still an endearing character. His love making with the attractive Olga is very moving.

funny and smart

Oblomov is a character for the ages. This should be made into. movie.

A few years ago I read the Stephen Pearl translation which I prefer over this one, but the narrator does a superb job of bringing all of the characters to life.

Dialectic of will and love

This is really a fantastic book, up there with Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky’s classics. The description of this slothful character seems simple and reproachful at first and then we get more of the back story and we can’t help but sympathize with him. Then the romance comes and presents a deeply understood dialectic of romantic stratagem, progression, maturation, etc. the second half of the book is less profound in my estimation, but rounds out the story well.