Name: The Overcoat
Rating: 3.94 (25 reviews)
ISBN: 9781409931294

Nikolai Vasil'evich Gogol

A story of a clerk whose new overcoat changes his destiny.

The Overcoat

Nikolai Gogol

This early work by Nikolai Gogol was originally published in 1835 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Overcoat' is a short story about a government clerk who has his precious new overcoat stolen. No-one seems willing to help him retrieve his prized possession, a fact that continues to concern him even when he is beyond the grave. Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol was born in Sorochintsi, Ukraine in 1809. In 1831, Gogol brought out the first volume of his Ukrainian stories, 'Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka'. It met with immediate success, and he followed it a year later with a second volume. 'The Nose' is regarded as a masterwork of comic short fiction, and 'The Overcoat' is now seen as one of the greatest short stories ever written; some years later, Dostoyevsky famously stated "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'." He is seen by many contemporary critics as one of the greatest short story writers who has ever lived, and theFather of Russia's Golden Age of Realism."

Starts off with the protagonist living a mediocre, insignificant life and then shows how his life goes through highs and lows simply through his desire for an overcoat. This portrays life and social hierarchy in Russian society extremely well. More importantly, the story makes you genuinely feel for the protagonist, as you gradually begin to connect with him and his struggles.

 A short story, but incredibly impactful.

Aarush Arora

Starts off with the protagonist living a mediocre, insignificant life and then shows how his life goes through highs and lows simply through his desire for an overcoat. This portrays life and social hierarchy in Russian society extremely well. More importantly, the story makes you genuinely feel for the protagonist, as you gradually begin to connect with him and his struggles.

Must read. A short story, but incredibly impactful.

how is this socio-economic satire both comedic yet tragic at the same time! I don't know if I should cry or laugh. 

diya

a 4.75 /5 

how is this socio-economic satire both comedic yet tragic at the same time! I don't know if I should cry or laugh. 

The Overcoat is a short story by author Nikolai Gogol, published in 1842. The story and its author have had great influence on Russian literature, thus spawning Fyodor Dostoyevsky's famous quote: "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'." The story has been adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations The story centers on the life and death of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, an impoverished government clerk and copyist in the Russian capital of St. Petersburg. Akaky is dedicated to his job as a titular councillor, taking special relish in the hand-copying of documents, though little recognized in his department for his hard work. Instead, the younger clerks tease him and attempt to distract him whenever they can. His threadbare overcoat is often the butt of their jokes. Akaky decides it is necessary to have the coat repaired, so he takes it to his tailor, Petrovich, who declares the coat irreparable, telling Akaky he must buy a new overcoat...

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Trish

This was my first venture into Nikolai Gogol's works and I was immensely impressed. I used to think that Russian literature just wasn't my cup of tea, but I may have to reconsider. Maybe I was too young to fully grasp the tough philosophical and ideological issues Russian authors tend to tackle in their short and long fiction, but after reading and thoroughly enjoying The Overcoat, I'm ready to give the Russians another try. This story, in particular, is a true testament to the power of characterization.

Ilse

I absolutely adored The Overcoat. Akaky was such a tragic character and I just love how Nikolai Gogol wrote him. Gogol’s descriptions of the setting were really atmospheric and I really liked the little spin at the end. Definitely a big recommendation for anyone who wants to start reading Russian literature!

Five tragicomic tales from the visionary writer heralded by Vladimir Nabokov as “the greatest artist that Russia has yet produced” A midlevel bureaucrat in the czar’s administration, Poprishchin is hurrying to work when he sees a woman step out of a carriage. Her beauty astounds him, and as she passes by, he hears something impossible: Her dog opens its mouth, and begins to speak. It is Poprishchin’s first step on the road to insanity, a journey that will take him into the depths of hell—and raise him up to the heights of emperors and kings. “Memoirs of a Madman” is one of Nikolai Gogol’s definitive short works, a satire of the excesses of czarist bureaucracy told with wit, empathy, and his signature blend of the real and surreal. Other highlights in this indispensable volume include the haunting title story and “The Nose,” an absurdist masterpiece. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The Overcoat

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