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maur_damar's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kberry513's review
4.0
What a strange little story! Oksana is kind of a B, and Vakula should have just given up and married someone better, but it was cute. No idea why anyone would consider this a kids story though!
lisab1991's review against another edition
4.0
What better time than to read this lovely Ukrainian folktale on Christmas Eve? Gogol’s The Night Before Christmas is a rather interesting story about a witch, her son who is a devoutly religious blacksmith and the Devil, who are both in love with the beautiful, yet shallow Oksana.
missbookiverse's review
2.0
I liked the comedic elements (the visitors the witch gets one after another) but sometimes I got confused with all the people and names. I didn't like Oksana (obviously, she's not a very likable character) and that Vakula .
Spoiler
did end up with her without her really redeeming herself_ash0_'s review
4.0
Let me be honest and say that I bought this book only because it was part of the Christmas classics editions which are too pretty to not own. The story was also good so I am glad I picked it up. It was pretty humorous and this is the first time I am reading a Russian classic so I had some hard time understanding some Russian terminologies. Overall, a good Christmas read. It’s a short novella so can be read in one or max two sittings.
michidoc's review
4.0
I love the Russians when they get crazy and talk of fairies, witches and devils! After reading "Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov I discovered the beauty and power of Russian mad tales, and this is no exception. A perfect tale for the night of Christmas' Eve, because it's intriguing, witty, silly, a bit ghostly, romantic and, in the end... such fun!
lazdona's review
3.0
I got the impression this would make more sense in the original language. The story is reminiscent of folk tales read to children, but the writing itself is very dense and I got the feeling there was lots going over my head. Gogol is obviously a talented writer, even considering he was young when he wrote this, but I finished feeling rather underwhelmed (but nonetheless wanting to look into this story more).
whitecat5000's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
3.0
This was like no Christmas story I've ever read. I was not expecting this.
lwhittle's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5