About the book
Since its publication in 1842, Dead Souls has been celebrated as a supremely realistic portrait of provincial Russian life and as a splendidly exaggerated tale; as a paean to the Russian spirit and as a remorseless satire of imperial Russian venality, vulgarity, and pomp. As Gogol's wily antihero, Chichikov, combs the back country wheeling and dealing for \"dead souls\"--deceased serfs who still represent money to anyone sharp enough to trade in them--we are introduced to a Dickensian cast of peasants, landowners, and conniving petty officials, few of whom can resist the seductive illogic of Chichikov's proposition. This lively, idiomatic English version by the award-winning translators Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky makes accessible the full extent of the novel's lyricism, sulphurous humor, and delight in human oddity and error.
Editions of Dead Souls
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781400043194
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780517199480
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780679602651
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780679776444
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307797810
Read an Excerpt
Since its publication in 1842, Dead Souls has been celebrated as a supremely realistic portrait of provincial Russian life and as a splendidly exaggerated tale; as a paean to the Russian spirit and as a remorseless satire of imperial Russian venality, vulgarity, and pomp. As Gogol's wily antihero, Chichikov, combs the back country wheeling and dealing for \"dead souls\"--deceased serfs who still represent money to anyone sharp enough to trade in them--we are introduced to a Dickensian cast of peasants, landowners, and conniving petty officials, few of whom can resist the seductive illogic of Chichikov's proposition. This lively, idiomatic English version by the award-winning translators Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky makes accessible the full extent of the novel's lyricism, sulphurous humor, and delight in human oddity and error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dead Souls about?
Since its publication in 1842, Dead Souls has been celebrated as a supremely realistic portrait of provincial Russian life and as a splendidly exaggerated tale; as a paean to the Russian spirit and as a remorseless satire of imperial Russian venality, vulgarity, and pomp. As Gogol's wily antihero, Chichikov, combs the back country wheeling and dealing for \"dead souls\"--deceased serfs who still represent money to anyone sharp enough to trade in them--we are introduced to a Dickensian cast of peasants, landowners, and conniving petty officials, few of whom can resist the seductive illogic of Chichikov's proposition. This lively, idiomatic English version by the award-winning translators Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky makes accessible the full extent of the novel's lyricism, sulphurous humor, and delight in human oddity and error.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Dead Souls?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Classic fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of Dead Souls?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781400043194
Is Dead Souls part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vintage Classics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Dead Souls?
Nikolai Gogol
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Dead Souls is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781400043194) and hardcover(ISBN 9780517199480) and hardcover(ISBN 9780679602651) and paperback(ISBN 9780679776444) and ebook(ISBN 9780307797810)
Where can I buy Dead Souls online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Dead Souls from below
Where can I buy Dead Souls?