The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol
by Nikolai Gogol, Richard Pevear, Larissa Volokhonsky | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 1862075948 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 1862075948 Global Overview for this book
Registered by 
shnedwards
of Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on 4/17/2006
This book is in a Controlled Release!
shnedwards of Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on 4/17/2006 This book is in a Controlled Release!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by shnedwards from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, April 17, 2006
shnedwards from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, April 17, 2006
Back cover blurb:
Collected here are Gogol's finest tales - from the demon-haunted "St John's Eve" to the strange surrealism of "The Nose", from the heartrending trials of the copyist in "The Overcoat" to those of the delusional clerk in "The Diary of a Madman" - allowing readers to experience anew the unmistakable genius of a writer who paved the way for Dostoevsky and Kafka.
Well, this collection demanded a bit of effort at the start. I'm not familiar with the geography and time so struggled with the setting initially, plus there were loads of endnotes which slowed me down a bit. But then something clicked and I really got into the swing of it. I don't know how much Gogol has directly influenced contemporary writers, but all the time I was reading these stories, something would remind me of much more recent stuff I'd read and watched. For example, I imagined "Viy" as a film directed by the guy who did Pan's Labyrinth, "The Nose" as one of those freaky animations by the likes of Jan Svankmajer. There's even a Father Ted moment in "Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforovich".
All good stuff. I am looking forward to digging his novel Dead Souls out from under my bed.
"The Nose" is one of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, so I'm offering this collection up as a bookray.
Mailing order (subject to change):
TwiggySC1973, US
literarylover, US
azuki, US
snapdragongirl, US
TomHl, US
Supertalya, South Korea
bearyfriend, Singapore
livrecache, Australia
davemurray101, Australia
stubee + KT-J, UK
perfect-circle, UK
ThursdayN, Sweden
Jozebedee, UK <---here
vincentthefish, UK
wanderingstar8, UK
Chantie, Canada
judygreeneyes, US
jellyfish67, UK
Collected here are Gogol's finest tales - from the demon-haunted "St John's Eve" to the strange surrealism of "The Nose", from the heartrending trials of the copyist in "The Overcoat" to those of the delusional clerk in "The Diary of a Madman" - allowing readers to experience anew the unmistakable genius of a writer who paved the way for Dostoevsky and Kafka.
Well, this collection demanded a bit of effort at the start. I'm not familiar with the geography and time so struggled with the setting initially, plus there were loads of endnotes which slowed me down a bit. But then something clicked and I really got into the swing of it. I don't know how much Gogol has directly influenced contemporary writers, but all the time I was reading these stories, something would remind me of much more recent stuff I'd read and watched. For example, I imagined "Viy" as a film directed by the guy who did Pan's Labyrinth, "The Nose" as one of those freaky animations by the likes of Jan Svankmajer. There's even a Father Ted moment in "Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforovich".
All good stuff. I am looking forward to digging his novel Dead Souls out from under my bed.
"The Nose" is one of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, so I'm offering this collection up as a bookray.
Mailing order (subject to change):
TwiggySC1973, US
literarylover, US
azuki, US
snapdragongirl, US
TomHl, US
Supertalya, South Korea
bearyfriend, Singapore
livrecache, Australia
davemurray101, Australia
stubee + KT-J, UK
perfect-circle, UK
ThursdayN, Sweden
Jozebedee, UK <---here
vincentthefish, UK
wanderingstar8, UK
Chantie, Canada
judygreeneyes, US
jellyfish67, UK
Journal Entry 2 by shnedwards from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, October 5, 2008
shnedwards from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, October 5, 2008
On its way to TwiggySC1973. Hope you enjoy it!
Got it in the mail today and next on the TBR list! Thanks so much for sharing.
The Nose was a very strange story for me and I'm not sure I am supposed to understand it.
Literarylover asked to be skipped b/c of finals. Requesing address from azuki.
Found this in my mailbox after returning from a trip.
I signed up for this book because I read The Namesake, which main character was named after Nikolai Gogol. Ashame to say I haven't heard of the name before that...
This book doesn't look like a quick easy read and I am not moving fast with my books lately, finding little time to read. I will however do my best to send this on as soon as I can. Thanks for starting the ring and sending the book to me.
I signed up for this book because I read The Namesake, which main character was named after Nikolai Gogol. Ashame to say I haven't heard of the name before that...
This book doesn't look like a quick easy read and I am not moving fast with my books lately, finding little time to read. I will however do my best to send this on as soon as I can. Thanks for starting the ring and sending the book to me.
When I started reading, I was like, hmmm, I didn't know that these will be supernatural folktales, as I certainly expect something more literary. The later stories did indeed become more literary in nature, though the supernatural aspect never quite departs.
My favorite stories are The Terrible Vengeance (with its poetic verse), Viy, Nevsky Prospect and The Portrait.
I have snapdragongirl's address already and this will go out to her.
My favorite stories are The Terrible Vengeance (with its poetic verse), Viy, Nevsky Prospect and The Portrait.
I have snapdragongirl's address already and this will go out to her.
Received book. Will read it asap.
Journal Entry 9 by snapdragongirl at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, February 2, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/2/2009 UTC) at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I sent the book on to the next person.
I sent the book on to the next person.
It's always a good day when a new book arrives for me to read! So here it is -thanks to shnedwards for starting the bookray, and thanks to snapdragongirl for sending it on to me. I'm currently in the middle of The Sky Road, and will read this next.Just for everyone's reference, the contents are as follows -
UKRAINIAN TALES
St. John's Eve
The Night Before Christmas
The Terrible Vengeance
Ivan Fyodorovich Shponka and His Aunt
Old World Landowners
Viy
The Story of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich
PETERSBURG TALES
Nevsky Pospect
The Diary of a Madman
The Nose
The Carriage
The Portrait
The Overcoat
I have previously read Gogol's Dead Souls, so I thought I knew what to expect from this. But I was surprised by the supernaturalism of the earlier Ukrainian stories. After a while I came to think of them as written to a weekly television show level of entertainment rather than a literary audience. Situation comedies in some cases; thrillers in others. The later Petersburg stories are definitely more intentional and serious. And then there is "The Nose".I read this book in part during a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina. There's absolutely nothing there that relates to Gogol's stories. But various sea battles were fought in Charleston Harbor during the 18th and 19th centuries, so I thought a stack of cannonballs near The Battery in White Point Gardens would be an odd enough setting to honor Gogol. The lovely and talented MrsTomHl assisted in my photography project.
Journal Entry 12 by TomHl at -- Mail or by hand-ring, RABCK, meetings, Wisconsin USA on Monday, March 2, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (3/2/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-ring, RABCK, meetings, Wisconsin USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Supertalya asked to be skipped, so today I mailed this book to bearyfriend in Singapore. The postal clerk said to expect it to be delivered in 7-10 days.
Supertalya asked to be skipped, so today I mailed this book to bearyfriend in Singapore. The postal clerk said to expect it to be delivered in 7-10 days.
Arrived, found nothing else in my mailbox today except a package lying inside, thanks in sending. I've just started reading a ray book, with another one waiting next. This one wil be 3rd in line.
Thanks livrecache for agreeing to my sending book to her in May. Before sending I'll check with you for your address. Cheers.
Have pm'd livrecache, will send book off to her once I receive her address.
May 10 Update: No response from livrecache, will send book off to davemurray101 who have sent me his address.
I didn't finish all the stories in the book, in fact not easy to start off with. But I tried reading from the last - The Overcoat, The Portrait then read a little of The Nose, and Ivan Fyodorovich Shponka & His Aunt and stopped entirely. Didn't want to hold on for too long, so will go drop it off soon. Bizarre and supernatural stuff I like but think it's the translations that makes it hard to read. However, thanks shnedwards for sharing.
May 10 Update: No response from livrecache, will send book off to davemurray101 who have sent me his address.
I didn't finish all the stories in the book, in fact not easy to start off with. But I tried reading from the last - The Overcoat, The Portrait then read a little of The Nose, and Ivan Fyodorovich Shponka & His Aunt and stopped entirely. Didn't want to hold on for too long, so will go drop it off soon. Bizarre and supernatural stuff I like but think it's the translations that makes it hard to read. However, thanks shnedwards for sharing.
Journal Entry 16 by davemurray101 from Christiansted, US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands on Sunday, May 17, 2009
just recieved today, looks interesting.
Journal Entry 17 by davemurray101 from Christiansted, US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands on Friday, June 5, 2009
just finished this one. I enjoyed a lot of stories, particularly the overcoat and the nose from the 'petersburg tales' and VIY and The Terrible Vengeance from 'The ukranian tales'. I know Stubee/KTJs address already and will post to them next week.
Journal Entry 18 by davemurray101 at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, June 11, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/11/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
sent in the mail to stubee + KT-J - hope you enjoy
sent in the mail to stubee + KT-J - hope you enjoy
It's here, thanks shnedwards and davemurray101. I have a couple in front of this but will get onto it shortly.
I finished my current read so Stubee has passed this on to me. I've finished the first story, St John's Eve, and have to say it was quite bizarre. I'll see how I get on with the rest!
Well, I finished this on holiday and wasn't quite sure what to make of it! Some of the Ukrainian tales were very strange with the supernaturalism and I preferred the Petersburg tales. There were some very interesting stories in the book and there was a good degree of humour as well.
Overall an interesting read, thanks shnedwards for sharing this. I've passed this back to Stubee now.
Overall an interesting read, thanks shnedwards for sharing this. I've passed this back to Stubee now.
I really liked this collection of short stories I think I prefered the supernatural tales most. Not sure why The Nose of all these is included on the 1001 list although I really enjoyed it.
Thanks Shnedwards for sharing this with us; I think I'm going to buy a copy for my Permanent Collection so that I can read these tales again.
I have perfect-circle's address so I'll get this on it's way next week.
Thanks Shnedwards for sharing this with us; I think I'm going to buy a copy for my Permanent Collection so that I can read these tales again.
I have perfect-circle's address so I'll get this on it's way next week.
Journal Entry 23 by stubee at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, July 20, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/21/2009 UTC) at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to perfect-circle, enjoy.
Off to perfect-circle, enjoy.
Journal Entry 24 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Thursday, July 23, 2009
Arrived safely today. I may not read them all, depends if I have the time. Thanks stubee for sending and shnedwards for another 1001 ray.
Journal Entry 25 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, July 27, 2009
I've always wanted to read some Gogol after reading/seeing Lahiri's The Namesake and as The Nose is on the 1001 list, I read that first. I found it a really strange story that I'm not entirely sure I understood. I had a quick flick through the book but I've got too much to read and wasn't particularly captured by anything else, so I'm going to send this on as soon as I have an address for ThursdayN.
Thank you shnedwards for the ray and Stubee for sending it on.
Thank you shnedwards for the ray and Stubee for sending it on.
Journal Entry 26 by perfect-circle at a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Friday, July 31, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/31/2009 UTC) at a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted on the next person.
Posted on the next person.
It arrived safely today. Thanks perfect-circle for sending it! =)
Unfortunately I didn't have the time to read all of the stories in this collection (due to an infinite number of bookrays...), but the ones I did read I liked! So I'm planning to get my own copy of this.
I have Jozebedee's adress and will send the book asap.
Thank you all for sharing! =)
I have Jozebedee's adress and will send the book asap.
Thank you all for sharing! =)
Released 14 yrs ago (9/5/2009 UTC) at
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way. Enjoy! =)
On its way. Enjoy! =)
Book received today - thank you :) I promise to get to this as soon as possible - I have a few other bookrings to get through first!
I was really excited to see this finally arrive at the top of mount TBR!! (Phew! Getting through all these rays!) I'm afraid that it really disappointed me though! I found the surrealist nature of many of the stories quite hard to take in, and unfortunately none of them really held my interest. I read all of 'The Nose', but was very confused, and hadn't had a clue by the time I had finished it what the whole point or underlying message of it was! Maybe there wasn't one?? LOL.
Anyway - thank you shnedwards for letting me take part in the ray, and apologies for holding on to this for longer than hoped.
I have the next bookcrossers address, and will be posting out on Monday to them.
Anyway - thank you shnedwards for letting me take part in the ray, and apologies for holding on to this for longer than hoped.
I have the next bookcrossers address, and will be posting out on Monday to them.
Journal Entry 32 by Jozebedee at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, December 7, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (12/7/2009 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On it's way now to vincentthefish!
On it's way now to vincentthefish!
