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Dead Souls

By Nikolay Gogol
Penguin Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Dead Souls by Nikolay Gogol is a satirical novel that follows the cunning protagonist, Chichikov, as he travels through rural Russia. He aims to acquire "dead souls," or deceased serfs, to increase his wealth and social standing through an audacious scheme. The narrative offers a humorous yet critical exploration of Russian society in the 19th century, delving into themes of corruption and human folly.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to satirical tales rich with humour and a keen examination of provincial Russian society. The story delves into the eccentricities and follies of its characters, painting a vivid picture of 19th-century life, making it a captivating read for those who appreciate social commentary wrapped in memorable narrative.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Chichikov, a mysterious stranger, arrives in the provincial town of 'N', visiting a succession of landowners and making each a strange offer. He proposes to buy the names of dead serfs still registered on the census, saving their owners from paying tax on them, and to use these 'dead souls' as collateral to re-invent himself as a aristocrat.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Chichikov, a mysterious stranger, arrives in the provincial town of N', visiting a succession of landowners and making each a strange offer. He proposes to buy the names of dead serfs still registered on the census, saving their owners from paying tax on them, and to use these souls as collateral to re-invent himself as a gentleman.

In this ebullient masterpiece, Gogol created a grotesque gallery of human types, from the bear-like Sobakevich to the insubstantial fool Manilov, and, above all, the devilish con man Chichikov.

Dead Souls, Russia's first major novel, is one of the most unusual works of nineteenth-century fiction and a devastating satire on social hypocrisy.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Dead Souls is often praised for its satirical and comedic take on Russian society. Critics frequently highlight Gogol's unique blend of humour and dark undertones, capturing the absurdities of human nature and bureaucracy. The novel's richly drawn characters and vivid narrative style continue to resonate with readers, underlining its place as a classic in Russian literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140448078

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 July 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Robert Maguire

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 352g

Pages: 512

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About the Author

Nikolai Gogol (1809-52) was born in the Ukraine and left for St Peterburg at the age of 19 where he published a collection of short stories and for a short time held the post of professor of history at the university. Gogol's experience of life in St Petersburg informed his savagely satirical play, The Government Inspector, and a series of brilliant short stories including Nevsky Prospekt and Notes of a Madman. From 1836 to 48, Gogol lived abroad, mainly in Rome, where he was working on his comic epic Dead Souls - a work he wrestled with for the rest of his life before renouncing literature and burning parts of the manuscript shortly before he died. Robert A Maguire is Professor and Head of Department at Columbia University. He is the prize-winning translator of Petersburg by Andrei Bely (Indiana UP, 1979) and several contemporary Polish poets, author of Exploring Gogol (1996) and editor of Gogol from the Twentieth Century (1995). He has received a Ford Foundation Grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and several awards for his service to his field of study and his published works.

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