Dead Souls Audiobook

" A mortgage scam from late feudal Russia involving toxic assets (literally) as collateral comes undone. Unlikely, right? This was my third time through Gogol's masterpiece depiction of "poshlust" and my first time reading Hogarth's translation which is just fine. "

" Well, I got all the way through Volume I (p. 257) and still didn't really care about the plot, the characters, or the writing. I can see why this may have an important place in Russian literature, but it doesn't have much of anything of interest to me. "

" This is supposed to be Gogol's attempt at repeating "Divine Comedy." The first (and really only) part is supposedly "Inferno." "

" A very readable translation for the first Gogol I've ever read; and some interesting sentiments and characters. But I felt like I need a class to get everything there is out of this book. "

" Eastern classic burn holes in your brain. The more you read, the bigger the hole gets, yet: you crave more & more! "

" I love Gogol. Of the classic Russian authors, he is probably my favortie... The surreal quality of his work, the darkness and feeling of being removed from the rest of the world, create for a read unlike found in writings by other authors. "

" I read it in Russian too. So proud of myself. A very witty book. "

" Short sections of this book were very funny and enjoyable, but overall I found myself getting lost in the language. Apparently, "Dead Souls," is considered by many to be more of a poem than a novel. I was looking for more of a plot driven novel, which is why I was slightly disappointed. "

" Gogol's never ending story humorously illustrates the socioeconomic differences between the upper and lower classes of Russia and the man's constant struggle to obtain more than they can handle.... "

" Strange book, partly very much Russian, partly almost Rushdie-esque with all the diversions and partly surrealist with the humor and unwillingness to make any conclusions for too long. One of the few books I wanted to read again almost immediately after finishing. "

" Full of Russian insights, clever, funny some wonderful characters but ultimately boring "

" i cannot emphasize enough--read the translation by richard pevear and larissa volokhonsky. i tried to read a translation from the 1960's and it was NOT funny at all. the pevear translation is completely different and hilarious. i'm not sure if this edition is the correct translation. "

" great book, love gogol. his short stories are very funny too. this is topical satire at its best. "

" This is the kind of book that you might enjoy in a Russian lit class. It has a few funny bits, but to get the most out of this book you'd best be in a room with 30 other people trudging through it all together. "

" 175 pages in-- no dead people!!! "

" I liked the first 2/3rds more than the end, when I felt like it kind of wanders. But overall it's terrific, definitely worth a read. Will I ever tire of 19th century Russian novelists? "

" Hilarious, incredible, rambling, the middle is dull. "

" I prefer Gogol's short stories, but this was worth a read. Gogol's particular brand of humor definitely here. "

" a great romp through 19th century Russia "

" Love this and hate that it is incomplete. When it trailed off mid-sentence at the end of book one I thought I was supposed to figure something out. Book two is sketchy throughout. Brilliant premise. Incisive writing of the character of Russia. "

" Dead Souls is some funny shit. "

" actually i read the Arabic version, translated by raduga publisher Moscowbut i hated the main character as much as i can cause he was dirty mean feudal. "

" I laughed out loud! I only wish Gogol had lived to finish it himself, because there were bits missing. But a great story well written. "

" I prefer Gogol's short stories, but this piece could have been magnificent if he managed to finish it before he died. Full of his typical wit and humor, despite it leaving off in the middle of a sentence, it's still an enjoyable read. "

" Gogol has some really important points to say but I found myself getting disinterested in it in parts despite it's potential to be a radical text. "

" Engaging, but the ending did not, I feel, cash the check that the story was writing. The style, though (obviously) translated was what got this a three and not less. "

" I read half of it and could not bring myself to finish it. The half I read was written beautifully - the descriptions were vivid, the dialogue engaging. But the plot just did not move along for me. I couldn't keep with it. After 2 months with the bookmark in the same place, I gave up. :( "

" Not necessarily a breeze to read but well worth your time. I really enjoy Gogol's writing style. "

" A decent dark comedy. Diary of a Madman was better. "