Bücher von Alexander Ostrovsky

Gloumov, (the protagonist) has not only become an eduring character on the Russian stage, but the abstract noun derived from his name, gloumovshchina (or gloumovism), has entered the language. As long as ambitious young men with brains and talent can most readily achieve success by selling themselves and betraying their better natures, gloumovism will thrive. Transitional societies have a special need of Gloumov to keep things moving - as well as to maintain equilibrium - since the actor-opportunist will further any cause, switch positions overnight, defend opposite sides of the same issue, and turn his coat with every wind until he almost becomes the coat. - from the Afterword by Daniel Gerould

Translated from the Russian by Frank McGuinness, this play is part of the FABER STAGESCRIPTS series.

A native Muscovite, Ostrovsky became Russia's most prolific painter of Mercantile Society and the common people, writing over fifty plays, mostly comedies. Includes: "The Forest, Artistes and Admirers, Wolves and Sheep, Sin and Sorrow, "and "The Power Darkness."