The long-awaited meeting of Goncharov’s novel with an English reader. It remains to translate "Cliff"

LONDON. Goncharov’s Ordinary Story has been translated into English.

Until now, the inhabitants of Great Britain, who cannot read Russian, were familiar only with Oblomov. And that one was published in English only 56 years after the first publication in Russia. Ivan Alexandrovich himself objected to lifetime translations. For the former translator of the foreign trade department of the Ministry of Finance, where he got a job after graduating from a university, such a decision can be called paradoxical. But in 1915, the long-awaited translation appeared, allowing to appreciate the beautiful syllable, rich language and plot. Why it took 100 years to make a decision on the translation of Ordinary History is hard to say. But there is no doubt that this book is about the illusions and disappointments of a provincial romantic, instructed by a cynical relative, in Great Britain. The English version is entitled The Same Old Story. The title of the novel is connected with a story that made Goncharov worry. A year after the appearance of Ordinary History in the Sovremennik magazine, the writer heard rumors about the upcoming publication in Russian of the novel Just story by the writer Inchbold-Simpson from England. They began to suspect Goncharov almost of plagiarism, claiming that his story was only a translation of a book that had been published half a century ago. The accusations were completely unfounded, but made Ivan Aleksandrovich quite a bit nervous.

He had to deal with plagiarism again. But already accused Goncharov. After reviewing Turgenev’s two new novels, he discovered explicit borrowings from his third novel, The Cliff. His storylines became known to Ivan Sergeyevich during one of the friendly conversations of two famous writers. Subsequently, a number of controversial prices Turgenev was removed. Suspicions about Turgenev arose more than once, although Goncharov’s excessive suspiciousness could have been the reason. He left behind him three major novels, travel essays about traveling on the frigate “Pallas”, 2 novels, critical articles and an extensive epistolary heritage that awaits closer study.

The only love in his life for Elizabeth Tolstoy remained unrequited. The heart of the young beauty was given to cousin Musin-Pushkin, and Ivan Alexandrovich, who was the censor at that time, had to help the failed beloved. The closest creature to a lone writer was a small dog. Goncharov also compensated for the absence of the family by caring for the three children of his deceased servant, who, thanks to him, not only did not live in poverty, but also received an education.

PS This news was transmitted by news agencies, however, upon a detailed study of the issue, it was found that the novel was still published in English earlier. For example, in 2001 - by the Pacific Press University (University Press of the Pacific). There is also a mention of the first edition of 1847. And in 1957 and 1989, the same translation released by the Rainbow Publishing House .

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru