Reviews

Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol

viktorijavaic's review

2.0

Oportunistas važinėja per dvarus, kalba ir valgo su dvarininkais, supirkinėja mirusius baudžiauninkus su mintim praturtėti - 300 psl. tokio veiksmo. Šiokia tokia moralė atsiranda tik jau institucijoms prigavus - klasika.

wotrutolkienbout's review against another edition

4.0

Denk niet (zoals ik) bij deze titel dat het een psychologische zware roman betreft. Integendeel: het is een bijzonder grappig boek

poke_it's review

challenging funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

glennjamini's review

challenging funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

sams84's review against another edition

4.0

This is a surprisingly humorous read that follows Chichikov, a middle aged gentleman who tours through the Russian countryside buying the rights of deceased serfs from the landowners. He gives the impression that he is doing them an immense favour when really he is out for his gains, although it doesn't necessarily work out all that well for him. Each of the landowners that he speaks to are caricatures of the greed, corruption and paranoia that Gogol implies is deep seated in the Russian government. The second half of the book finds Chichikov moving to another part of the countryside and leaving his dead souls behind where he tries to help another landowner gain favour with a General so he can marry the General's daughter. Once again Chichikov moves from estate to estate meeting many odd and eccentric characters before getting himself into hot water again. Although the second part finishes mid sentence it doesn't feel too unfinished and this seems to add to Chichikov's character of being able to escape by the skin of his teeth. A rather readable and entertaining book.

ramb0two11's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

winidepu129's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

chelseah08's review

1.0

Growing up, I always read WELL above my expected reading level. I devour books. I can get through anything. Except this one.
I have never in my life not been able to finish a book until I encountered Dead Souls. I love Russian literature and I heard wonderful things about this book, but honestly, I have tried to get through it three times now and have been so beyond bored to death, it's like I could actually feel MY soul dying (ha, ha). I'm so sorry to everyone who has loved this book for insulting it, but honestly, props to anyone who could possibly get through this snooze fest.
Maybe I'll try reading it again in a few years. This book is my Everest.

debicates's review

3.0

A strange piece of literature, I'm not sure what to make of it as whole.

The first quarter was a delight and I was certain I was going to love it. I laughed out loud at the variety of characters and their comical reactions to Chichikov offering to buy their "dead souls." But once the protagonist procured all he needed, the story changed gears. The humor became more biting, the story became more serious and the author seemed more critical.

Gogol is a strange one.

killedshini's review

4.0

This book contains too many eating scenes, don't read it while hungry. Its a pity we'll never read the complete trilogy, personally I really enjoyed drafts of the second book.