Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov (1812-1891) was a Russian novelist and travel writer whose highly regarded works portray societal upheaval in Russia and feature some of the most colorful and memorable characters in Russian literature. Goncharov's most significant accomplishment is his three novels, the first of which was A Common Tale (1917), which immediately established his reputation after being praised by influential critic Vissarion Belinsky. Oblomov (1915), a more mature work widely regarded as one of Russia's most important novels, creates a stark contrast between Russia's aristocratic and capitalistic classes and criticizes the serfdom-based way of life. The Precipice (1915), Goncharov's third novel, is a great work of psychological language. Goncharov contrasts an easygoing dreamer with an opposing character who symbolizes businesslike efficiency in all three works; the contrast illuminates socioeconomic situations in Russia at a time when expanding capitalism and Read More chevron_right

Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov (1812-1891) was a Russian novelist and travel writer whose highly regarded works portray societal upheaval in Russia and feature some of the most colorful and memorable characters in Russian literature. Goncharov's most significant accomplishment is his three novels, the first of which was A Common Tale (1917), which immediately established his reputation after being praised by influential critic Vissarion Belinsky. Oblomov (1915), a more mature work widely regarded as one of Russia's most important novels, creates a stark contrast between Russia's aristocratic and capitalistic classes and criticizes the serfdom-based way of life. The Precipice (1915), Goncharov's third novel, is a great work of psychological language. Goncharov contrasts an easygoing dreamer with an opposing character who symbolizes businesslike efficiency in all three works; the contrast illuminates socioeconomic situations in Russia at a time when expanding capitalism and industrialization coexisted uncomfortably with ancient Russia's aristocratic traditions. Oblomov is an undisputed classic of Russian literature, equaling only Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, and Fyodor Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov in terms of artistic greatness and cultural relevance.