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terrafyd's review against another edition
4.0
This is an original story that doesn't resemble the fun song/poem it was turned into. This is a Russian tale about a blacksmith's adventures trying to get his love's attention. It is also a neat portrait of the villagers and humor. A story that is very enjoyable!
bookwormed's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Nikolai Gogol, written in 1831, is a Ukrainian / Russian folktale 'still read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia' (so the book says). The story revolves around Vakula, the blacksmith - who is in love with Okhsana, a beautiful but quite arrogant girl - in his fight against the devil, who has stolen the moon over the village of Dikanka and is wreaking havoc on its inhabitants. In doing so, he is hoping to win the love of Okhsana. This Christmas story was the opposite of all the American sugar-plum Christmas stories I've read so far this year and it was a welcome change of scenery. Gogol's tale is a bit dark, is about good versus evil, love, jealousy, and revenge. It is hilarious, scary, mysterious, and jolly. And the dumplings, let me quote to you the part about the dumplings:
". . . Patsiuk [a Cossack wizard] opened his mouth wide, looked at the dumplings, and opened his mouth still wider. Just then a dumpling flipped out of the bowl, plopped into the sour cream, turned over on the other side, jumped up, and went straight into Patsiuk’s mouth. Patsiuk ate it and again opened his mouth, and in went another dumpling in the same way. He was left only with the work of chewing and swallowing.
“See what a marvel!” thought the blacksmith, opening his mouth in surprise, and noticing straight away that a dumpling was going into his mouth as well and had already smeared his lips with sour cream. Pushing the dumpling away and wiping his lips, the blacksmith began to reflect on what wonders happen in the world and what clever things a man could attain to by means of the unclean powers . . ."
I'm rating this short Christmas story with ★★★★☆
". . . Patsiuk [a Cossack wizard] opened his mouth wide, looked at the dumplings, and opened his mouth still wider. Just then a dumpling flipped out of the bowl, plopped into the sour cream, turned over on the other side, jumped up, and went straight into Patsiuk’s mouth. Patsiuk ate it and again opened his mouth, and in went another dumpling in the same way. He was left only with the work of chewing and swallowing.
“See what a marvel!” thought the blacksmith, opening his mouth in surprise, and noticing straight away that a dumpling was going into his mouth as well and had already smeared his lips with sour cream. Pushing the dumpling away and wiping his lips, the blacksmith began to reflect on what wonders happen in the world and what clever things a man could attain to by means of the unclean powers . . ."
I'm rating this short Christmas story with ★★★★☆
ladybookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
In December I always like to read a few Christmas books and after buying this book last Christmas I finally got around to reading it this month. At first I struggled to get into this book as it really took me by surprise. I really wasn't expecting a witch and a devil in the story and was very doubtful about continuing to read the book. However I am very glad I continued as it was an enjoyable read and a big surprise. I particularly liked the reference to a woman with loose morals and a woman who valued goods before loved ones. I found the book had a wonderful ending and was full of good Christmas morals we can all learn from. The reason for the 3 stars is due me not liking the beginning otherwise my rating would of been higher.
tabby2920's review against another edition
4.0
Funny short story. Not really a Christmas story per se, but I understand why it is read during the holiday season. It reads as a moral story and appreciating what you have and life is more than your vanity or you greed.
abookishaffair's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first bout with Gogol and I really enjoyed it. Looking for a creepy Christmas story? This one fits the bill.
intotheheartwyld's review against another edition
2.0
Yah, this was just not for me, classic or not. And it’s most definitely not the version I have ever heard. I actually got confused a few times. And didn’t exactly find wives and husbands beating each other to be entertaining. And the end is just so abrupt, like this devil helps this guy get a self absorbed woman to fall in love with him and then paints said devil on the church and people disrespect it over and over. And apparently the devil is cool with this, since it doesn’t state him being upset about it. It was strange and It just felt like such a hot mess.
annyway47's review against another edition
4.0
Why did I read a Christmas story in the middle of the summer? No idea. But it was Gogol and it was awesome! As always, love the writing and love how he incorporated the local Ukrainian culture, folklore, and customs into his narrative. Great atmosphere and a fun read.
sookieskipper's review against another edition
3.0
A fantastically bizarre Christmas story involving the Devil who steals the moon, snow storm, silk slippers, jealousy, love, witchcraft and conquering evil. This is a wonderful non-traditional Christmas story that starts at Christmas eve and continues the next day. The story is knee deep in culture, traditions and Russian folklore that Gogol references in ever so often. The moral exists somewhere in the middle and the ending is a bit surreal.
This short novella is rife with Christian metaphors and morals. Its almost funny how Devil is as much as a living breathing character as the beautiful daughter of the deacon. Gogol uses Devil as a device to explore larger themes like vanity and greed though it never plays on the surface. The Devil's actions are anything but innocent though one must wonder if the actions of the men and women in the village were innocent too. Gogol doesn't pander to the readers and continues this surreal tale in the fashion he knows best. The story only turns crazier with each page turn and ends with a beautiful bang.
This is being my first Gogol's works, I was a bit apprehensive at the start. However the narration style won me over and now I am looking forward to reading "Dead Souls".
This short novella is rife with Christian metaphors and morals. Its almost funny how Devil is as much as a living breathing character as the beautiful daughter of the deacon. Gogol uses Devil as a device to explore larger themes like vanity and greed though it never plays on the surface. The Devil's actions are anything but innocent though one must wonder if the actions of the men and women in the village were innocent too. Gogol doesn't pander to the readers and continues this surreal tale in the fashion he knows best. The story only turns crazier with each page turn and ends with a beautiful bang.
This is being my first Gogol's works, I was a bit apprehensive at the start. However the narration style won me over and now I am looking forward to reading "Dead Souls".