Chichikov, a mysterious gentleman of middling rank and no obvious fortune, drives a britzka into a provincial Russian town and charms the local officials. His project is an odd one: he buys deeds for serfs who have died but not yet been removed from the census, planning to use them as collateral for a loan. As he visits landowners, each one a memorable grotesque, from the dreamy Manilov to the hoarder Plyushkin, Gogol turns Russian provincial life into a comedy of vanity and greed. The novel was meant to be the first part of a larger work, and the second part was burned by the author.
It suits readers who enjoy classic satire and episodic fiction. It is funny and sharp.
Deep, open-ended and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1842
- Language
- EN
