Ivan Goncharov

Oblomov

No. of episodes

19

Latest episode

2025-08-19

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Dive into the world of Oblomov, the renowned novel by Russian author Ivan Goncharov, first published in 1859. At its heart lies Oblomov, a character often regarded as the epitome of the superfluous man, a poignant symbol in 19th-century Russian literature. This young, kind-hearted nobleman struggles with the simplest of lifes decisions and actions, having been so pampered in his youth that he can hardly manage even the most basic tasks. In his restless dreams, he confronts the term Oblomovstchina (Oblomovism), which encapsulates his deep-seated awareness of his own paralysis in the face of lifes challenges. This captivating novel serves as a biting satire of the Russian nobility at a time when their societal role was under scrutiny, and it is from this work that the term Oblomovstchina was coined, forever altering the Russian lexicon. (Summary by Wikipedia and Kevin Davidson) Note This 1915 edition was abridged by the translator.