Reviews

The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol by Nikolai Gogol

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anderskev's review

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

leighreadsalot's review

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funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

michplunkett's review

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I can certainly see WHY the short stories are notable, but while reading it I would constraint yo-yo between being gripped and absolutely bored by the story at hand. It’s a historically notable set of short stories, but not one they I’d recommend unless you were really into Eastern European literature.

lordbearon's review

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5.0

Nikolai Gogol’s works exposes a bureaucracy that oppressed its people. In “The Dairy of a Madman,” an oppressive society, with its inflexible hierarchy, drives Poprishchin into madness. This theme is carried over in “The Overcoat.” Akaky, like Poprishchin, is defined by the role he plays in society. Other highlights are "The Nose" and "The Portrait," which reflect a culture seeking an identity, pushing beyond social conventions and expectations.