Oblomov

Written with sympathetic humor and compassion, this masterful portrait of upper-class decline made Ivan Goncharov famous throughout Russia on its publication in 1859. Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is a member of Russia’s dying aristocracy—a man so lazy that he has given up his job in the Civil Service, neglected his books, insulted his friends, and found himself in debt. Too apathetic to do anything about his problems, he lives in a grubby, crumbling apartment, waited on by Zakhar, his equally idle servant. Terrified by the activity necessary to participate in the real world, Oblomov manages to avoid work, postpones change, and—finally—risks losing the love of his life. This superb translation by David Magarshack captures all the subtle comedy and near-tragedy of the original.

Ivan Goncharov (1812-û1891) was the son of a rich merchant family, spent most of his life as a civil servant, and published three novels.
David Magarshack was known for his many translations from his native Russian, including works by Dostoyevsky.
Milton Ehre is Professor Emeritus of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago.