A review by bufally47
The Night Before Christmas by Nikolai Gogol

4.0

This novella was a fun little romp through 19th century Russia on Christmas Eve. I was pleasantly surprised, recalling Gogol’s The Overcoat as a rather somber examination of class, materialism and bureaucracy. This reminded me more of the devil’s scenes in Bulgakov's [b:The Master and Margarita|117833|The Master and Margarita|Mikhail Bulgakov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327867963l/117833._SY75_.jpg|876183], full of both supernatural mischief and theatrical human antics. The prose did seem to step on its own toes here and there, but it’s so short and fast-paced that it’s still a breeze even if you find yourself drifting off occasionally. In classic Russian fashion, the story featured a vain and cruelly flippant young lady and a frustrated suitor determined to win her affections at any price. My favorite character, though, was the brash and bumbling Tchub, whose invective was glorious:

"May he never have a glass of vodka to drink in the mornings, the dog!"
"May he break his teeth of a crust of buckwheat bread!"
"May he have a pimple as big as a haycock under each of his eyes, the devil’s son!"

Such a nice little deviation from the usual Christmas fare.