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Swindlers and swindling -- Russia -- Fiction Books
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Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Dead Souls
"Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogol is a novel first published in 1842. It follows Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, a mysterious gentleman who arrives in a small Russian town with a peculiar scheme: to purchase "dead souls"—serfs who have died but still exist on paper for tax purposes. As he charms local officials and landowners, his bizarre transactions raise suspicions. Through absurd satire, Gogol exposes the moral rot and social dysfunction of Russia's middle aristocracy, creating unforgettable caricatures of greed, pretension, and vulgarity.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Home Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2 [Dead Souls]
"Home Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a satirical narrative written in the mid-19th century. The work presents a detailed and engaging look into Russian society, particularly through the eyes of the main character, Pavel Ivanovitch Tchichikoff, who is introduced as a Councillor of State traveling for pleasure and business. The story emphasizes the peculiarities of Russian nobility and their customs, providing a window into the socio-political dynamics of the era. The opening of the narrative introduces Tchichikoff as he arrives at a provincial inn in Smolensk. As he settles in, the descriptions of the inn and its staff reveal a world filled with eccentric yet vivid characters, laying the foundation for Tchichikoff's observations and interactions. His inquiries about the local nobility and conditions reflect his intentions to integrate himself into the social fabric while simultaneously hinting at his deeper motives. Gogol crafts a scene that mixes humor and social critique, setting the stage for Tchichikoff's journey and the satirical exploration of Russian life that follows.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Sämmtliche Werke 2: Die Abenteuer Tschitschikows oder Die toten Seelen II
"Die Abenteuer Tschitschikows oder Die toten Seelen II" by Gogol is a novel published in 1842. The protagonist, Tschitschikow, devises a cunning scheme to acquire wealth by purchasing "dead souls"—deceased serfs still listed on official registers. He travels through provincial Russia, negotiating with various eccentric landowners to buy these phantom peasants, planning to use them as collateral for state loans. Gogol's satirical masterwork exposes the corruption and absurdities of Russian aristocratic society through Tschitschikow's morally dubious adventures.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Sämmtliche Werke 1: Die Abenteuer Tschitschikows oder Die toten Seelen I
"Die Abenteuer Tschitschikows oder Die toten Seelen I" by Nikolai Gogol is a novel published in 1842. The story follows Pawel Iwanowitsch Tschitschikow, a cunning opportunist determined to enrich himself through an audacious scheme. He travels through provincial Russia purchasing "dead souls"—deceased serfs still listed on official records—to use as collateral for state loans. Through satirical encounters with eccentric landowners, Gogol exposes the corruption, absurdity, and moral decay of the Russian landed gentry in pre-revolutionary Russia.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Kuolleet sielut
"Kuolleet sielut" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story follows the character Pavel Ivanovitsh Tshitshikow, a mysterious gentleman who arrives in a provincial town and engages with various local officials, hinting at a deeper, ulterior motive behind his visits. The novel explores themes of social status, human folly, and the bureaucracy of Russian society at the time. At the start of the narrative, Tshitshikow arrives in the town in a modest carriage, drawing little attention, and settles into a rather ordinary inn. As he interacts with the innkeeper, his peculiar inquiries about local officials and landowners throughout his meals suggest a hidden agenda. His visiting various offices and engaging flattering conversations sets the tone for his character as an astute observer capable of ingratiating himself with the townspeople. This opening introduces readers to the intricacies of society and the nuanced relationships that will unfold as Tshitshikow's true intentions gradually become clearer.
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