The Precipice (Goncharov novel)
Author | Ivan Goncharov |
---|---|
Original title | Обрыв |
Country | Russia |
Language | Russian |
Publisher | Vestnik Evropy |
Publication date | 1869 |
Media type | print (Hardback & Paperback) |
The Precipice (Russian: Обрыв, romanized: Obryv), also translated as Malinovka Heights, is the third and the last novel by Ivan Goncharov, first published in January–May 1869 issues of Vestnik Evropy magazine.[1] The novel, conceived in 1849, took twenty years to be completed and has been preceded by the publication of the three extracts: "Sophja Nikolayevna Belovodova" (Sovremennik, No.2, 1860), "Grandmother" and "Portrait" (Otechestvennye Zapiski, Nos.1-2, 1861). The author considered it to be his most definitive work, in which he fully realized his grand artistic ambition. Less successful than its predecessor Oblomov (1859), The Precipice is still regarded as one of the Russian literature's classics.[2][3]
Background
According to Goncharov, the idea of the third novel came to him in 1849 when he returned to his native
On August 21, 1866, in a letter to
One character, that of Mark Volokhov, has undergone considerable evolution. Initially, according to the author, "this figure was never supposed to fit into the novel's major scheme, being part of a background, in shadows," a mere "introductory face, serving for Vera's character fuller realization." Soon, though, he turned out to be one of the novel's most prominent figures. Among rough drafts of The Precipice there was Volokhov's short 'biography' which showed him to be initially a "domestic kind of a nihilist," struggling in vain to realize his life potential to the full, then evolving into a kind of ideologist preaching "new truth", materialism and atheism. Goncharov admitted later that Volokhov proved to be a challenging character and in the long run, a stumbling block, hindering the whole process. The author himself conceded later that "the Volokhov character came like a piece of two-part cloth, one half belonging to pre-1850s, another coming from the modern times when 'new people' started to emerge."[5]
Goncharov considered The Precipice to be his best work, in which he managed to realize his artistic ambition to the full. "Dreams and aspirations of Raisky for me sound like a sonorous chord, praising a Woman, Motherland, God and love," he wrote in a letter to Mikhail Stasyulevich.[1]
Synopsis
In The Precipice Goncharov combines various genres: novel about the artist, political novel, and romance. This work contrasts the then new ideas of philosophical positivism, utilitarianism and atheism with romantic idealism and traditional values. These various views are examined through the characters of three men laboring to win the love of the heroine, Vera: Boris Raisky, an artist-dilettant; Mark Volokhov, a nihilist in the tradition of Turgenev's Bazarov; and Ivan Tushin, a traditional, yet enlightened landowner.
The Precipice is especially notable for its women. The heroine, Vera, is one of Russian literature's most independent and intelligent female characters, and the full-blooded portrait of Raisky's wise and strong grandmother is no less remarkable. (AbeBooks)
Reception
The novel, upon its release, received mixed response. At the time of the sharp division in the Russian cultural elite, critics came to assume the novel each according to their own current political stand.
Despite all this, The Precipice enjoyed great success. Goncharov remembered: "Stasyulevich related to me, how, every first day of a month, people would queue at the Vestnik Evropy's doors as if it were bakers' - those were couriers, eager to grab copies for their subscribers."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f The Works by I.A.Goncharov in 6 volumes. Ogonyok Library. Pravda Publishers. Moscow, 1972. Vol.VI. Commentaries, pp.749-750.
- ^ The Works by I.A.Goncharov in 6 volumes. Ogonyok Library. Pravda Publishers. Moscow, 1972. Vol.I. Commentaries by S.Mashinsky, pp.3-50.
- ^ Nikolayev, P.A. "Goncharov, I.A." Russian Writers. Biobibliographical dictionary. Vol.1. Prosveshchenye Publishers, 1990. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Goncharov, A.I. "The aims, goal and ideas of the Precipice novel. Vol.VI, pp.522-525". Khudozhestvennaya Literatura. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ I.A.Goncharov's letter to Ye.P.Maykova, р.69.
External links
- The Precipice at Project Gutenberg
- The Precipice public domain audiobook at LibriVox