Nikolai Gogol

Tells the tale of a Christmas Eve in the village of Dikanka featuring the wicked mischief of the devil as he runs amok in the town and torments the town blacksmith, Vakula, as Vakula tries to win the love of Oksana.

The Night Before Christmas

“One could see everything that was happening in the sky: a wizard racing in his cauldron, stars playing hide-and-seek, a group of ghosts hanging together like a cloud, a devil dancing in the moonlight, a broomstick returning home after transporting a witch . . . All kinds of riffraff flew past them. Every creature slowed down to take a look at the blacksmith riding a devil, then continued on its way.”
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Have you ever been so angry that you stole the moon?
Imagine pocketing a whole astronomical body out of the sky, just because someone painted an unflattering photo of you. Not only does it inspire new levels of pettiness, it is also somehow relatable. And that’s just the beginning when it comes to Gogol’s short story about a devil taking revenge on a blacksmith in a charmingly strange village in Ukraine.

This past year, I have steadily become a solid fan of Gogol’s stories, and The Night Before Christmas is no exception to this list. As with his other stories, this one is unexpectedly humorous and chaotic as well as nigh-impossible to explain to other people. Just suffice it to say this one is an absolute hoot (with passing references to Chrtistmas, don’t expect anything jolly and seasonal per say).

To finish this review, I will now allow some of the timeless gems this story has birthed:
 
“What devil has done this to the moon, I want to know? May he never have a shot of vodka in the morning!”
“Vakula’s mother was no more than forty years old and was neither good nor bad looking (though, of course, it’s difficult to look good at forty).”
“Can you believe it—the devil flirting?”


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4.5/5

Ilse

“The devil flew up to the moon, reached out and tried to grab it, but must have burned his fingers, for he hopped on one leg, sucking on his hand. He walked around it and tried again from the other side, and again jumped back. But the sly one didn’t give up: he suddenly grabbed the moon with both hands and, juggling it like a hot pancake, stuffed it in his pocket, and flew off as though nothing had happened.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this little novel! It was hilarious, charming and fast-paced. The twists and spins kept coming right until the end with such a delightful cast of characters that I couldn't get enough of it! Definitely a recommended read if you enjoy Russian literature and/or Nikolai Gogol's work!

The Night Before Christmas

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