sanok's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
anemoneous's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
svetlozar06's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sdrsh1tdisorder's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
omelas33's review
5.0
This book is insidious. It’s about nothing and everything really. It’s like the leftover sensation of ride at a fair that makes your stomach drop at the moment but the ecstatic feeling lingers. Am I romanticizing this review? I apologize. I am still reeling. I know I feel something but it’s hard to describe
xaurarose's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
very quick read, enjoyed every bit!
poojaganesh55's review
4.0
This was a sad and profound story. I am assuming from what Gogol is known for, that his writings may have to do all about the tiresome Russian bureaucracy and how it stings and paralyzes the life of the common man with its pervasiveness. And while that's true, I found this story to be of much finer things in life. My heart went out to Akaky, who believes he lives a life of such insignificance that he is completely and truly satisfied with the meager things life has to offer him. And to think that the one moment he actually stood up for himself to reclaim the one thing that glimmered in his mundane life and gifted a trot to his step, he was doubled down by just one act of gross unkindness and disrespect - not a tragedy, not an irreparable loss, but just that a fellow man refused you the compassion of listening, in a time of need.
Spoilers. Akaky's death wasn't surprising to me in the least. Our hearts ARE fragile. And they break brittle in cold shatters at things that one wouldn't assume. I got the sense that Akaky had given up on life a long time ago. However, the overcoat got him feeling that maybe he could not just live, but live well. And when he is crushed under the brutality of the admonition, his spirit lets go and truly gives up on the hope of a simple happiness.
I don't know if this was what the story intended to evoke, but I finished my read with a sad heart and a desire to be much more kind and compassionate to people around us who are often never seen or heard.
P.S: Russian texts just DO it for me.
Spoilers. Akaky's death wasn't surprising to me in the least. Our hearts ARE fragile. And they break brittle in cold shatters at things that one wouldn't assume. I got the sense that Akaky had given up on life a long time ago. However, the overcoat got him feeling that maybe he could not just live, but live well. And when he is crushed under the brutality of the admonition, his spirit lets go and truly gives up on the hope of a simple happiness.
I don't know if this was what the story intended to evoke, but I finished my read with a sad heart and a desire to be much more kind and compassionate to people around us who are often never seen or heard.
P.S: Russian texts just DO it for me.