Proof positive that slacker generations existed long before gen X were a twinkle in their collective parents eyes. First off: This is really three books. Secondly: This is a work that had such an influence in Russian culture that it spawned oblomov as a verb (to endlessly put something off), and oblomovitis- a state of indecision and lethargy. It was even used in the Russian parliament.

Goncharov took so long to finish his novel, that he really was three disparate people during the course of his writing. The first act is hilarious. A masterful, swiftly moving sketch of the titular Oblomov that begs to be turned into a one act play by someone more talented than I am.

The second act is slower and becomes a comedy of manners that is almost a Russian (and decidedly masculine) Jane Austen tribute with a side order of domestic melodrama. The third act slows even further. Goncharov seems to have been meditating on what it takes to make a worthwhile life and a long term relationship, and the work becomes even more didactic than it has already been.

The ending comes with a twist which I feel undercut the body of the work in a huge way. Desperately avoiding spoilers here- but goddamn. This was a long read for me because I was desperately putting off some big life decisions and this satire of the ultimate prevaricator cut waaaaay too close to home.

A good, worthwhile and very Russian read.

P.S I had a (not so) tiny voice in my head all the way through that was begging for a socialist uprising.