The Precipice

Brief Overview

The novel «The Precipice» by Ivan Goncharov narrates the life and inner world of the main character, Boris Raisky, a wealthy landowner and artist. Raisky returns to his estate after a long stay abroad and faces challenges that compel him to reassess his views on life. At the heart of the plot are his relationships with two women: Vera, his cousin, and Marfenka, a young peasant girl. Through these relationships, themes of love, duty, freedom, and moral choice are explored. Raisky undergoes inner turmoil and spiritual searching, striving to find his place in life and understand what truly matters. The novel also touches on social and philosophical questions, reflecting the complex processes occurring in 19th-century Russian society.