The Overcoat and Other Short Stories (Dover Thrift Editions: Short Stories)

This collection of short stories by Nikolai Gogol is a nice piece of fiction for your library. The stories are short; but indeed, if they are fiction, their very well written. Clear and concise in the tenor of the period of which Nikolai Gogol lived. He lived in Russia in the first half of the 19th century while in Europe and England the Romantic period had been going. In his stories he reads like a first hand account of the 'tenor of the times' and the people and places that he images in his prose. He is never really tedious; Quite the contrary: He is almost hilarious in his depiction of a life characteristic of that time in history of the characters of his stories. As he paints a picture through the sign's of words, at the end of each little tale he interjects, what is to him, a little axiom as elicited by the story. I'm glad I purchased this book, and I think it is fun reading for anyone. It's evident from the start, that there is a great deal of humor in the presentation of his characters and their personal idiosyncrasies.

Great short stories from a Russian master. Humor, human frailties, understanding of the human condition. Broaden your mind, read Gogol, Chekhov, Pushkin and other Russian masters.

Overall I enjoyed the stories within this book. I was unfamiliar with Gogol's work before reading the Jhumpa Lahiri novel "Namesake" and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Gogol's stories are off-beat and original. I enjoyed his writing style and the stories really pulled you in and painted a picture. The goal of so many author's is to get you to identify with the characters within their stories, make them real, make their lives habitable, and Gogol achieves this. Some of the stories are just out there though- I am still trying to figure out exactly what is happening in "The Nose" and I was confused by the proliferation of characters named Nikolai, and it did not make it any easier that all of them continiue to be referred to by first middle and last names because 2 of them had the same first and last name...aren't there more male names in Russia than just Nikolai? But seriously, I enjoyed the book and got caught up in the stories. Good read overall.

I wanted to challenge my daughter's reading ability with something a little more adult. I remembered having this collection in college and how much I loved it. On my second time owning it, now, it doesn't disappoint. True, it's not the happiest collection, but Gogol is a really unique writer, and this book is a fantastic way to discover him! Winter is a perfect time to read Gogol too: you're really going to feel the loss of that overcoat my friend!

Read "The Overcoat" before reading "The Namesake" The novel alludes to Gogol's story frequently. Reading the short story will help you with the newer novel. The Overcoat story is a strange one. Like most Russian stories, it deals with the "unmaking" of a life.Some say that Gogol started that Russian literary tradition. On the other hand, there is a slightly positive outcome to the story. Is there a transformation in "the powerful one"? Strange as the story is, it does keep you wondering.

My teen daughter enjoyed reading this editorial edition of this book. It was a gift she liked.

unusual story.. but good and well written

A very interesting book. I watched a dvd called "The Name Sake" and a father discusses the theme of the Overcoat with his son in a very moving scene in the film. It is about a family from India. Out of curiosity I bought the book which contains other short stories by the same author. I also have an interest in "things" russian and I had never read any books by the great russian authors. A simple read but deep also. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it.

I’d read Dead Souls years ago and enjoyed it so much that I’m surprised it’s taken me so long to get around to reading the short stories. Gogol does not date; his descriptions of human nature and grasp of the vernacular are fresh and beguiling

The great Gogol ‘

Es libro de referencia en la carrera de Marketing, Publicidad y Relaciones Públicas en la Universidad S. Pablo CEU Madrid

All time classic! At an affordable price.

It is a non-typical Russian literature. Gogol is very clever and sarcastic, and describes Russia well in those days, not much far off today's Russia actually, especially in the provinces