Well, this should be an interesting review (to write if not to read). "Malinovka Heights" was, to be gracious, a disappointment. To be a bit more honest, I came to actively dislike both the book and the author. For a change, let's do the negatives (in my view) first. Then I will try to salvage something positive to say.

The simplest critique is that the book is way, way too long. Neither the plot nor the character development warrant 800 pages. Virtually identical scenes with virtually identical dialog and subject abound. The author also inserts scenes that appear totally unrelated to the story; intended, it is assumed, to provide an entertaining diversion. Without the novel suffering the slightest impairment, 300 pages could be shed.

More annoying to me was the author's willingness to insert what are clearly overt political and moral observations. Often, there is little subtlety but a great deal of pompous and unabashed judgments. The truths about life, for Goncharov, are not only knowable but coincidentally identical to his own. He apparently never heard a platitude he didn't endorse.

The characters he presents are generally stereotypical and, despite his best efforts, superficial. A lot of posing but not much content.

As a whole, the novel feels like a cheap but unending romance.

On the positive side, Goncharov (at least in translation), appears to be able to write adequate (albeit not beautiful) prose.

I'm quite open to hearing I missed the whole point but for now, I would encourage people NOT to read "Malinovka Heights". Perhaps "Oblomov" is an entirely different kettle of fish. ( )

Het leven aan de Wolga...

Gontsjarov op z'n Gontsjarovs. Oblomov is nooit ver en alle protagonisten zijn tevens antagonisten. Voor lezers, die het leven lief hebben. ( )