The Overcoat

Nikolai Gogol — 2014

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."

Reviews

diya@diyankilaco

Jul 11, 2024

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.

Nicholas Laurie@nicklaurie

Jan 10, 2023

Re-read

Well technically a first time read of a previously consumed audiobook. Layered themes centered around social standing, hierarchy and materialism wrapped in a perfectly simple and engaging tale of a man and his overcoat. This is an easy 5-star read, one of my favourite pieces of literature ever and a benchmark for short works of fiction.

Trish@concerningnovelas

Jan 4, 2023

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@ilse

Jan 1, 2023

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!

Nicholas Laurie@nicklaurie

Nov 28, 2021

Incredible

Ilse@ilse

Nov 3, 2021

noha@nohareads

Oct 20, 2021

Neglected, scorned, laughed at .... His life was awful, it's a tragic. And then on top of that when he finally feels a bit happy, BAM he's robbed! Then BAM he dies!! Frankly speaking, I didn't like the ending. I wasn't expecting something supernatural. I'm somewhat confused. I don't know if i like the story or not. Now I'm just gonna be sad the whole day ;-;