Oblomov

Ivan Goncharov (1812 - 1891)
Translated by Charles James Hogarth (1869 - 1945)

Oblomov is the best known novel by Russian writer Ivan Goncharov, first published in 1859. Oblomov is also the central character of the novel, often seen as the ultimate incarnation of the superfluous man, a symbolic character in 19th-century Russian literature. Oblomov is a young, generous nobleman who seems incapable of making important decisions or undertaking any significant actions. Spoiled as a child to the point of not even being able to put on his own socks, Oblomov is unprepared to deal with the smallest difficulty of adult life. In his fevered dreams he sees the words "Oblomovstchina" ("Oblomovism" or in this translation "the disease of Oblomovka") in flaming letters on the ceiling putting a name to the disability of which he is all too aware.

This romantic novel was considered a satire of Russian nobility whose social and economic function was increasingly in question in mid-nineteenth century Russia, and from it the word "Oblomovstchina" entered the Russian vocabulary. (Summary by Wikipedia and Kevin Davidson)

Note: This 1915 edition was abridged by the translator.

Genre(s): Fictional Biographies & Memoirs, General Fiction, Satire

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 01 - Part 1, Chapter 1 Kevin W. Davidson
00:20:43
Play 02 02 - Part 1, Chapter 2 Kevin W. Davidson
00:28:21
Play 03 03 - Part 1, Chapter 3 Kevin W. Davidson
00:11:10
Play 04 04 - Part 1, Chapter 4 Kevin W. Davidson
00:19:27
Play 05 05 - Part 1, Chapter 5 Reading 1 Kevin W. Davidson
00:21:31
Play 06 06 - Part 1, Chapter 5 Reading 2 Kevin W. Davidson
00:24:04
Play 07 07 - Part 1, Chapter 5 Reading 3 Kevin W. Davidson
00:17:44
Play 08 08 - Part 1, Chapter 5 Reading 4 Kevin W. Davidson
00:16:50
Play 09 09 - Part 1, Chapter 5 Reading 5 Kevin W. Davidson
00:28:09
Play 10 10 - Part 2, Chapter 1 Kevin W. Davidson
00:25:10
Play 11 11 - Part 2, Chapter 2-3 Kevin W. Davidson
00:20:33
Play 12 12 - Part 3, Chapter 1 Kevin W. Davidson
00:09:02
Play 13 13 - Part 3, Chapter 2 Kevin W. Davidson
00:15:36
Play 14 14 - Part 3, Chapter 3-4 Kevin W. Davidson
00:21:43
Play 15 15 - Part 4, Chapter 1 Kevin W. Davidson
00:22:40
Play 16 16 - Part 4, Chapter 2 Kevin W. Davidson
00:26:13
Play 17 17 - Part 4, Chapter 3 Kevin W. Davidson
00:28:59
Play 18 18 - Part 4, Chapter 4 Kevin W. Davidson
00:13:07
Play 19 19 - Part 4, Chapter 5-6 Kevin W. Davidson
00:21:24