Nikolai Gogol; translated by Andrew MacAndrew
First published in 1842, Nikolai Gogol’s Dead Souls tells the story of Chichikov, a middle-aged man, as he arrives in a small town and begins to purchase “dead souls” from their landowners. At that time, landowners were taxed according to the number of serfs they owned. They were required to pay taxes for all of them until the next census even for those serfs who had died in the interim. Chichikov purchases the deceased serfs in name only, claiming them as his possession and relieving the landlord of paying their tax. His reason for doing so is not revealed until the end of the novel. He encounters corrupt officials and various landlords, all of whom are willing to support him until rumors circulate, accusing him of nefarious activities.
Chichikov’s exploits form the backdrop of what is essentially a satire. Gogol satirizes Russian society with its rampant hypocrisy, corruption, unethical behaviors, and bureaucratic quagmire. He exposes its warts to rouse the reader into implementing change. His satire is threaded with humor. His characters are caricatures but each is assigned with a unique set of quirks.
The most enjoyable aspect of the novel is not the story of Chichikov, or of why he purchases dead souls, or the parade of caricatures. It is the narrative voice with its whimsy, humor, sarcasm, asides, digressions, and satirical commentary on Russian society. The narrator frequently interrupts the narrative to address the reader directly. His discerning critique of society, eye for human foibles, gentle humor, and ability to engage his readers make this a charming and delightful read.
Highly recommended.