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Dead Souls

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Dead Souls

By: Nikolai Gogol, Constance Garnett - translator
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
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About this listen

Gogol's great Russian classic is the Pickwick Papers of Russian literature. It takes a sharp but humorous look at life in all its strata but especially the devious complexities in Russia, with its landowners and serfs. We are introduced to Chichikov, a businessman who, in order to trick the tax authorities, buys up dead 'souls', or serfs, whose names still appear on the government census. Despite being a dealer in phantom crimes and paper ghosts, he is the most beguiling of Gogol's characters. Gogol's obsession with attempting to display 'the untold riches of the Russian soul' eventually led him to madness, religious mania, and death. Dismissed by him as merely 'a pale introduction to the great epic poem which is taking shape in my mind', Dead Souls is the culmination of Gogol's genius. Translator: Constance Garnett.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2017 Naxos AudioBooks World Literature Ghost Witty Haunted Classics

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Great book! I highly recommend it. It's impressive how little we have changed in the last 150 years. I was impressed by how well, with such subtle details and very fine irony, Gogol described the human nature.

150 years later and the world looks the same

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Expert and confident narration which brought the story to life. Very good. A thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Good characterisation

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Interesting listen to gain an insight into Russian society in the 1850’s (setting aside the writings other interpretations). Though from around half way through my attention began to drift. It may be helpful to read a synopsis of Gogol before embarking on the book to avert disappointment at the ending.

Nickolas Boulton’s narration is brilliant in itself and projects the characters wonderfully.

Interesting insight and wonderful narration.

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I found this to be a really engaging, interesting and entertaining story. Shows a whole range of ways people live their lives in terms of running their estates etc. and the decisions and behaviours/habits that end up determining their life direction.
It’s really a shame about the missing pages.

Brilliant story

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I didn't realise the book doesn't finish and has pages missing. A bit disappointing as I don't really know what happened

no ending

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I really enjoyed this - I found Nicholas Boulton’s performance really added to my enjoyment of this complex, peculiar and fascinating narrative. I enjoyed the detailed observations of Russian life and characters in the 19th Century and would return to this again, but armed with more historical context etc so I better understood the satire. In turns lyrical, savage, sympathetic and satirical, I found this an oddly compelling and enjoyable listen.

Oddly compelling and fascinating

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Excellent narration of a fantastic novelette. I appreciate the story better and understand the humor better while listening rather than reading. Have already listened again and will for sure listen again in the future.

Not to be missed!

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Disappointing.
it starts out interesting with the crafty scheme the protagonist runs and the introduction to interesting characters that he tried to fleece.
A somewhat Dickensian style


unfortunately it doesn't go anywhere and as the novel "progresses" the story becomes messy, the plot gets derailed by too many tedious side stories, tedious characters and irritating musings and irrelevant motivations.
I kept shouting " for God's sake man, get back to the plot"

The reader is left unfulfilled possibly frustrated.

A national emblem in Russia but almost unfathomable by non Russians and much lost in translation.

No where near as good as Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky.

Unrewarding confusing novel

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Wonderful reading - Nicholas Boulton does justice to the eccentric and brilliant writing of Gogol. I love Garnett’s translation as well.

Excellent,

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Good enough story, much like a lot of Russian literature, but if I'd known it was incomplete, this may have influenced my decision to buy it.

Incomplete Russian classic

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