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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I AM DONE! I DID IT! I had such a hard time reading this book. It sucked all the energy out of me, and I had to force myself into reading it. I understand the social criticism that Gogol tried to put forth, but the plot was simply too flat, and the characters were too predictable. I was too bothered by Chichikov's behavior trying to convince the prince to let him go. The whiny Chichikov was even more disgusting than the scoundrel (and I get this stereotype was what Gogol wanted to show his readers). I also did not like how Gogol would often refer to the reader; it made the novel seem more pretentious and essay-like. What enraged me is the quote on Quixote, and how he compares Quixote to the "bad Russian type." I know Quixote was not fully understood and appreciated in Russia due to poor translations, but to compare Quixote with Chichikov is absurd for nowadays readers.
This was good and close to a perfect transmission of the many dimensions of what Dostoevsky would call the Russian soul. The premise and protagonist reminded me of the best parts of Don Quixote, set in old Mother Rus. Like all the other masters, the book is worth the read.
Brilliant book about greed, status, and corruption in 19th century Russia. Desperately wish that Part 2 was wholly complete! Even incomplete, it's a wonderful book. Insightful and entertaining. I was intimated to start it for the longest time, but I'm happy I finally read it and found it wasn't as challenging a piece of literature as I'd feared.
A classic Russian literature novel that can still be fun and nonsensical. Part I was very, very good, but Part II, in accordance with the many warnings that can be found on Goodreads, was fairly disappointing. Although still interesting, I was just ready to be done with the book, and the ending is just god-awful. It was overall worth the read, especially if one has no expectations for what the words can hold. Lots of silly repetition, tongue in cheek humor, absurd descriptions, and ridiculous circumstances.
I've been working on this book on and off for a while, and the best thing I can say about it is that Gogol came up with an excellent plot even if the writing is not captivating. This book was just not my cup of tea. Too much solid text to concentrate on, and possibly not the best translation.
frustrating narrative style and the novel was never completed so i’m not compelled to read further
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
