The Precipice

Name: The Precipice
Author: Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov

By Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov

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Novels Russian Literature

About This Book

The novel follows Raisky, an artistically inclined landowner whose unreciprocated passion for Vera slides him into chronic idleness and paralyzing introspection. Against detailed scenes of a riverside estate, household routines, and village life, several suitors and relatives pursue conflicting aims, exposing vanity, ambition, and petty management of property. The narrative alternates intimate psychological observation with social description, using the cliff and river views as recurring symbols of emotional brinkmanship. Themes include the clash between aesthetic sensitivity and practical labor, the consequences of inaction, and the moral compromises of provincial society, culminating in faded hopes and quietly tragic resignations rather than dramatic resolution.

About the Author

Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov

Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov was a prominent Russian novelist and essayist, best known for his influential work "Oblomov," which explores themes of inertia and the complexities of Russian society in the 19th century. Born in 1812, Goncharov's literary career spanned several decades, during which he contributed significantly to Russian literature. His writing is characterized by a keen psychological insight and a deep understanding of human nature. In addition to "Oblomov," he authored notable works such as "The Precipice," which reflects on the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world. Goncharov's legacy endures as a critical voice in the exploration of existential themes and social critique.