Oblomov (Russian: Обломов, pronounced ablòmaf, with emphasis on the o) is the most famous novel of Russian writer Ivan Gontsjarov. The novel, first appeared in 1858, was named after the main character, young and generous Russian nobleman Ilja Oblomov who is unable to decide or act. The first 150 pages of the book can not even get out of bed, and in the rest of the book he is mostly in bed. His passivity costs him Olga's love, who ultimately chooses for the energetic and disciplined Andrej Stolz.
In addition to that of Stolz, Gontsjarov describes in the description of various characters from Oblomov's surroundings: his servant Zachar and the "indefinite person" Ivan Andrejevitsj Aleksejev (or Andrejev, because he was so unobtrusive that nobody could remember his name). Even the long winter evenings on the estate Oblomovka are brought to life in their vain.
The then Russian Minister of Education wrote about this novel: "The hero is one of those naturally affluent but carefree and lazy nature who spend their lives without any benefit to others and who fail to succeed in their own happiness The qualities of the book are in the artistic performance and the depth of the details, which distinguishes Mr Gontsjarov's work. " Following this work, Dobroljoebov wrote the book What is oblomovism?.
Oblomov is often regarded as the ultimate incarnation of the superfluous man, a stereotypical figure from 19th century Russian literature. The name became synonymous to 'lazy'.
The book was filmed in 1979 by Russian director Nikita Michalkov, with Oleg Tabakov in the lead.
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