6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two books for the price of one!, 13 Jun 2009

By

R. H. Chandler (London England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Souls: An Epic Poem (Hardcover)

This book would be worth buying for the illustrations alone. They are among Chagall's finest work, funnier, gutsier and more down to earth than most of his paintings. This book would equally be worth buying for the text alone - by far the best translation of one of the greatest, and funniest, works of Russian literature. Gogol is both more of a comedian and more of a poet than Tolstoy or Dostoevsky - and this makes his work harder to translate. This is the first translation to do it justice.

5 of 20 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Awful!, 6 Sep 2007

By

Grand Dizer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Souls (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I know this is a classic. And I appreciate that it is a good look into/critique of Russian society in Gogol's day... However, quite frankly this was one of the most boring books I have ever read. Classic or not the fact is that it is boring. It fails to grip the reader past the 50th page and even the author's untimely death (the book is actually unfinished) was unable to make it a gripping read. When I finished it I was actually glad that the book was unconcluded as it saved me reading another page! If you want to read Gogol, read his short stories - they're much better.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dead Souls, February 20, 2011

By

Piano Cynic (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Souls (Kindle Edition)

A Russian friend recommended Gogol and this book. I did a little research before downloading so was somewhat aware of what I was getting into. Yes there are very wordy sections. Many times one sentence fills the page. I found myself skimming these. But then you find a nugget - a beautiful description or an hilarious comparison. (I laughed outloud numerous times.) I doubt I'll read it again but definitely recommend. The Kindle format is fine. It is FREE afterall!

2.0 out of 5 stars You can probably disregard this review, February 13, 2013

By

gammyraye - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Souls (Paperback)

[plot] In the mid-1800s in Russia, the protagonist Pavel Chichikov is traveling through the countryside buying up dead souls--serfs who have died since the last census. Under the laws of the time, the owners have to pay taxes on their serfs, even if they have died, until the next census. By selling them, as if they were still alive, the owners would profit. But why would anyone buy them?

[plot] Chichikov has a plan. When he has collected the papers of enough dead souls, he can mortgage them (as if they were alive) and earn enough to buy his own estate. Of course, all this is illegal and most owners have to be tricked and lied to so that they will go along with him, but he is surprisingly successful. Until things start falling apart, that is.

This is basically a picaresque novel, much like 'Don Quixote,' with Chichikov meeting a different type of owner in each chapter. All this is intended to be very humorous, with most of the humor based on exaggeration. According to the introduction to the edition I read, the novel also contains many instances of playing with words, puns, humorous names, and so forth. All this was lost on me.

This edition also included parts of a sequel to the original book, which was not completed when Gogol died. The second part was much more serious in tone, and seemed almost preachy about the sad state of Russia at the time.

'Dead Souls' is a very famous and respected book, particularly in Russia. For some reason--cultural difference, ignorance about Russian history, a poor translation, poor understanding on my part, whatever--I found it a chore to read.

If you feel inclined to read this novel, disregard this review. 'Dead Souls' has been considered a classic since 1842, and my opinion matters little.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars What a great writer, December 3, 2012

By Filip T. Loncke (Earlysville, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase (What's this?)

This review is from: Dead Souls (Kindle Edition)

I never read Gogol until now... It is a revelation. Hard to believe that this book was written 200 years ago - it is so refreshing and inspiring.
I thought the Russian writers were somber in their perspective of life, but there are many funny passages in this book. Still very readable!

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