5 stars... but Oblamov is 5 stars and this isn't as good as Oblamov... ??? True, but.... i just can't see lowering it, as i loved this book. Granted the (sort of) weaknesses stand out when one thinks of it- a very flat story ... predictable and one might even say boring at times. Still... the arc of that standard story is so deeply felt and revealing, that it warrants the top rank. Young, coddled boy from the sticks in Russia chooses to go off to the city (Petersburg) to make his way in the world. His uncle meets him there with his lovely sensitive wife. His uncle is at pains to knock sense into the boy in every way- get head out of the clouds, write your articles about cow manure, have fun with a few girls and get married to a stable type girl. Of course he can't do this. He is idealistic and pure and falls into deep love with Nadenka. All is well until the Count comes in and turns her head and they cold shoulder him out the door. How well this is portrayed... yes, it is the same old story... yes, a thousand times over, but yes, so gorgeously shown. and then the further descent .. the next love shining at 1/3 the intensity (but still real) but fades out rather randomly - sadly and pathetically. He moves on to write his great book. It is sadly rejected and all is at a bit of an end in the big city for our hero. His uncle advises him to return home - given he has wasted his time seven years and accomplished nothing (rather harsh, but ... true?). Back home he goes and he enjoys it for a year or two and realizes he was a bit of a lout during his city time. He vows to return a wizened man ... but hark,... he has found a secret stash of letters of his uncle revealing that this world wise man went through the same cycle as our hero 20 years earlier. So... like i said predictable, a cycle, but still brilliantly realized. ( )

Dal titolo "Una storia comune" potrebbe sembrare l'ennesimo discreto mattoncino serioso russo :-) invece fa tanto sorridere, il protagonista è un "bamba" romantico con la testa piena di fesserie e lo zio ha il suo bel da fare a instillargli un po' di senso pratico! Noi assistiamo e sorridiamo, possiamo prendercela comoda. E imparare a non essere né troppo aridi né "bamba" :-) Buon divertimento! ( )

Extreme youthful idealism clashes with middle-aged realistic cynicism, Goncharov explores the causes and consequences of possessing an excess of one particular trait, and all in his trademark style, casual but insightful, a bit silly and funny all at the same time. The plot is indeed the as described eponymously - we have all lived and read it time and time again -, but the real delight lies in the characterisations.

The author captured the exuberance and inexperience of youth with its full potentials by detailing the protagonist's excessive sensitivities, which were at times painfully naive to read. However, it was only a necessary evil as it made it a joy to read his eventual slow disillusionment with love and life. I cannot help but relate to the growing cynicism, already present in the uncle and siphoning to the nephew, that is such an accurate psychological side effect of growth. The uncle is presented as the nephew's foil, albeit one who is the experienced knowledgeable authority on the fickleness human natures. However, to prevent this as just a silly-young-people story, the uncle's practicality is dialed to severe, just for some interesting contrast of the two extremes.

In the end, as is the case with Olga in Oblomov, the best character is the less explored female protagonist, the aunt. Her first physical, or at least vocal, appearance immediately showcases her shrewdness in handling the pride of the uncle and her tactful empathy to the protagonist's growing pains. Recommended for anybody who has ever been disillusioned with the world, so... everybody. ( )