The Overcoat (Russian texts) [Paperback]

Nikolai Gogol (Author), J. Forsyth (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991 | Series: Russian texts

The Overcoat which is generally acknowledged as the finest of Gogol's memorable Saint Petersburg stories, is a tale of the absurd and misplaced obsessions.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: Russian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Ukrainian-born Russian dramatist and novelist. Gogol's humorous and satirical writings formed the basis of 19th century Russian realist literature. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Duckworth Publishing (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853992496
• ISBN-13: 978-1853992490
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gogal uses imagery and symbolism to appeal to the reader., April 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Overcoat (Russian texts) (Paperback)

The short story "The Overcoat" written by Nikolai Gogol is a creatively written story containing imagery and symbolism to appeal to the reader. The main character's name is Akaky Akakievich, who is destined to be a "no body" in this world from birth. He lives a hard life in Petersburg earning what little money he gets by copying documents. Gogol uses excellent imagery with the description of Akaky by using phrases such as "a complexion that might be aptly described as hemorrhoidal."

Akaky is always the butt of jeers and jokes because of his social and physical status. Clerks often shower pieces of paper on the silent Akaky. One quote from Akaky often sticks in the minds of readers when he was being teased by one of the new clerks; "Let me be. Why do you do this to me? . . ." It is easy to see why Akaky is the butt of the jokes because he wears a shabby, almost see through frock known as the "old dressing gown." He doesn't even care when scraps of melon rinds and trash are thrown on him when he is walking to and from work.

The story gets underway when Akaky is forced to scrape together what little money he can and buy a new overcoat. This is the part of the story where he changes pretty drastically because he gains a little respect from his peers and is even seen at a party drinking a little champagne. The plot continues as something happens to Akaky and the overcoat.

I highly recommend reading this short story, as I enjoyed it immensely. I often wrote as many essays as I could possible on this story in my 10th grade english class. After reading this book I grew to love Gogol and I look forward to looking for more of his works. I really admire Gogol's way of using imagery to describe Akaky and his symbolism of the old dressing gown and the new overcoat. The ending was not expected as you find out what happens to the overcoat, Akaky, and the others involved.

1.0 out of 5 stars The Overcoat, November 3, 2010

By 

ccadoppi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Overcoat (Russian texts) (Paperback)

I purchased this item thinking it was the English translation, probably because the title was in English and I could find no indication that it was the original Russian text. I would suggest making it very clear which language the book is written in. I ended up giving it away to one of my colleagues, who is a Russian teacher, to give to a student someday.

4.0 out of 5 stars perplexed gohst, September 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Overcoat (Russian texts) (Paperback)

I feel that the dramatic portayal of the character Akaky Akaveich was cleverly narrated. Also the way Gogol exemplifies the hardships of being poor and trying to work the way up the ladder of life only to see that you end up back at the beginning. Akaky is concerned with greed towards the end and is happy with where he is now only to leave the reader unsatisfied. The clever points that Gogol uses to refer to the devil and greed were baffling. One example that sticks out in my mind is the fact that the story was based on St. Petersburg, Russia, and the apostle of Jesus, Peter, was known to deny Jesus three times became devilish. While reading this book, I found myself feeling bad for Akaky becuase as the author say's "True this creature, who had meely bore the office jokes and gone quitely to his grave, had had, toward the end of his life, a cherished visitor-the overcoat, which for a brief moment had brightened his wreched existence. Then a crushing blow had finished everything, a blow such befalls the powerful of the earth..." I defintly reccommend this book for it's clever wit and many emotions it pulls you through, throughout the story.