Reviews

Il cappotto by Nikolai Gogol

jemsizzleton's review against another edition

5.0

How have I missed Gogol all this time? This story feels like a sturdy little classic and does one of my favorite things, which I also aspire to do, and that is take a playful approach to an otherwise dark premise. It had some totally darling feels to it, which is a weird way to describe a story, but I am doing it and mean it as a compliment. I picked this up because of it being referenced so many times in The Namesake. This isn’t really a book, so I will pick up the book of stories in November where I see a potential Russian-lit month being kicked off by this story. Characters have a sweet Nabokov-meets-Dickens-y vibe that I liked. I also thought of “Bartleby the Scrivener” toward the beginning, though that took a turn another way and while that could be someone’s term-paper, that is the end of that comparison for me as I haven’t read that in at least a decade (maybe it is time!).There are moments of humor that border on being slapstick, and judge me if you want, those were my faves! This is a pretty flaky review, but i was practically happy dancing while reading it . Plot and theme stuff is pretty simple and played straightforward, and also totally works. Any story where a ghost sneezes snuff is right up my alley.

swagmansnake's review against another edition

5.0

Shit started becoming like horror at the end almost kind of spooky but also very sad :(. Reminded me a bit a bit of Ikiru.

kolyanpo's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

simplyfrancois's review against another edition

4.0

A delightful and easy-to-read tale, The Overcoat (or The Cloak, or The Mantle) tells us of titular councillor Akaki Akakievitch's worn out overcoat and struggle in bureaucratic St Petersburg. In the process, Gogol, introduces us, with much humour and sarcasm, to an endless series of officials with pompous titles and pointless occupations.

_carlibri_'s review

4.0

Ascoltato su Audible.
Gogol' è geniale.
Attraverso, oserei, un banalissimo aneddoto, riesce a creare una critica politica potentissima e ferocissima.
What else?

fiamma22's review

4.0

"però, verso la fine della vita, a questo essere era apparso un ospite luminoso sotto forma d’un cappotto, un cappotto che per un istante aveva ravvivato la sua povera esistenza, ma sul quale poi s’era abbattuta implacabile la sciagura, così come si abbatte sugli imperatori e i sovrani del mondo..."

alishajuma's review against another edition

4.0

Loved the writing style and was interesting to see how much of the double was influenced by this story. The tone kept changing and when I was just wondering what genre I would define this as, it briefly became supernatural. Was a very enjoyable and short read and I will definitely be reading more Gogol.

nkatris's review against another edition

funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

antoniosantos's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

muito perfeito este conto: triste, comovente, fantástico e reflexivo!

poppyparkes's review against another edition

5.0

“I need your cloak; you took no trouble about mine… give up your own.”