Gogol's Coat [Hardcover]

Cary Fagan (Author), Regolo Ricci (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

A new twist on a Russian masterpiece

In an unnamed city, in an unnamed country, sometime long ago, there lived a poor but talented scrivener named Gogol. Having only an old and patched topcoat, Gogol spends his life savings on a new warm coat for winter. Gogol’s coat is spectacular – everyone is impressed by it – and the poor boy relishes the first few glorious days in his fashionable coat. But late one night thieves steal the coat right off his back. Using his ingenuity, Gogol is able to track down the thief and recover what is rightfully his. Beautifully-illustrated in rich oils, this book is a delightful new take on Nikolai Gogol’s classic tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-According to the author's note, Nikolai Gogol's classic short story, "The Overcoat," is the inspiration for this revisionist retelling in picture-book format. Instead of being the nondescript middle-aged civil servant of Gogol's tale, Fagan's main character is a jovial boy who is well liked by his coworkers. This transformation dramatically alters the power of Gogol's plot and theme. Instead of the protagonist dying and haunting the people who stole his overcoat and persecuted him in life, Fagan's version has the main character regaining his garment with the help of his dog and his friends. So what readers get with this picture book is not a taste of Gogol's powerful tale of the human condition, but a maudlin little story about a boy, a dog, and a fancy coat. Ricci's full-page oil paintings are effective, but with their British sensibility, they appear to have more in common with Charles Dickens than Nikolai Gogol. Using a palette of earth colors with dashes of high-contrast greens and blues for emphasis, the artist excels at depicting furnishings and architectural details, but is less accomplished when portraying humans. Too watered-down for serious readers interested in Russian culture, and too sophisticated for a storytime audience, this book may have difficulty finding an audience.
Denise Anton Wright, Alliance Library System, Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

A new twist on a Russian masterpiece

In an unnamed city, in an unnamed country, sometime long ago, there lived a poor but talented scrivener named Gogol. Having only an old and patched topcoat, Gogol spends his life savings on a new warm coat for winter. Gogol?s coat is spectacular ? everyone is impressed by it ? and the poor boy relishes the first few glorious days in his fashionable coat. But late one night thieves steal the coat right off his back. Using his ingenuity, Gogol is able to track down the thief and recover what is rightfully his. Beautifully-illustrated in rich oils, this book is a delightful new take on Nikolai Gogol?s classic tale.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books; 1st Ed. edition (September 26, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887764290
• ISBN-13: 978-0887764295
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,483,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed in shameless exploitation, February 1, 2000

By 

T. R. Williams (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gogol's Coat (Hardcover)

As someone who has lived in Russia for 2 years (St. Petersburg for 18 mos) I am disappointed in what would seem to be a shameless exploitation of Gogol. The title openly suggests a degree of familiarity with Gogol's "The Overcoat". But it is not. I am sure most, if not all, Russians, especially those in St. Petersburg, would be offended by the intent of the title of this book.

The story itself is okay. It's entertaining enough for kids. Change the title and maybe you get 3 stars. But to rely on such a cheap trick, as name association, diminishes any respect this story might otherwise receive.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glorious Book, January 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Gogol's Coat (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated and evocative both of the time and the story, but on a child's level. I am certain that Gogol would approve and in fact, would have loved the story. Beautifully sympathetic and told. The richness of the illustrations is magnificent! Bravo