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Summary: An epic 'poem', crumbling before our very eyes¿
Review: Or, the agony and the ecstasy; the writer's pain and its only succor...An acquaintance once commented to me that, though he possessed virtually no creative drive, he didn't envy my own abilities whatsoever: having observed the glorious highs and exhausted lows I went through, all inspired by the febrile imagination, he concluded that a balanced approach to life was far more preferable. I was reminded of this exchange while reading the introduction to Nikolai Gogol's unfinished masterpiece, _Dead Souls_ . Apparently Gogol was blessed/plagued with an enormous amount of creative ambition: he wanted no less than to express the flaws in the Russian character, show how they could be rectified, and in turn 'save' his country from its social/economic quagmire. But though he possessed the vision - or at least glimpses of it - the task of expressing it adequately with the quill seemed far too difficult for the poor man. The mind's eye filled Gogol with glory and divination; it also destroyed him with self-doubt, restlessness, and inner condemnation. Any writer worth his salt (i.e. 'sensitive') will recognize these contrasting traits; will feel and intimately know the sting of art, its agony and its ecstasy. Alas, Gogol succumbed to the pressure, burning the drafts for _Dead Souls_ second book and never even starting the third concluding volume, and a few days after the conflagration Gogol passed away, probably unable to endure the destruction of his life's work. What remains - the completed first book and fragments of the second - can be contained in a single volume, and for those interested in Russian history and Russian Literature, _Dead Souls_ is a must. The first book contains much promise and is a delight to read. I do not speak Russian and thus cannot comment on the translation, but David Magarshack, a Russian native and famous for renditions of Dostoyevsky, writes with a clear mastery of the language. The tone is, for the most part, conversational: although there is a vast amount of description and author-asides, the writing never becomes tedious or indulgent. Gogol's savage sense of humor and his piercing character critiques certainly help, as does a healthy dose of self-depreciation. Although on the surface the first book concerns Chichikov purchasing 'dead souls' in order to gain an estate and title recognition, the emphasis is on the various landowners and commoners Chichikov meets in his travels. Gogol's contempt for the extravagant waste of the ruling class is obvious, as is his concern for the eventual effect it would have on his country. He modeled _Dead Souls_ on Dante's Divine Comedy, the first part being Chichikov's devious efforts to join these dissipated landowners, the second his success and subsequent fall from grace, and the third his retribution before the eyes of God, (presumably) finding happiness in simplicity. The beginning and fragmented end of the second book gives the reader a few hints into how Gogol planned to erect his masterpiece. A socialist attitude is introduced with the farmer-ideal of Kostanjoglo; Platon depicts the boredom of the born-wealthy. Unfortunately, the quality of material is not up to par with the first book, due to a lack of an editing polish and several chopped out sections. The 'final chapter' resembles more a synopsis of events and theme-development, and is an interesting viewpoint of the writer in mid-craft. The whole arc of the second book can be conjectured from what happens in this last chapter, so, despite its lecturing tone and poor development, it is certainly worth a read. Powerful, well written, challenging and at times flat out hilarious, _Dead Souls_ is rightly regarded among the pinnacle of Russian Literature. Less than Five Stars would do it an injustice.
Rating: 
Summary: Two separate books - a comedy and a moral piece
Review: Part One is the amusing story of Chichikov's shifty scheme to make money by obtaining legal ownership of recently dead serfs whose names are still on the census, in order to somehow mortgage this property at a profit. To understand the scheme you would have to understand the relevant laws. To accomplish this purpose, Chichikov travels around Russia mixing with the best society and makes propositions to rich landowners. He is very good at flattery. Even so, things don't go smoothly for the scam artist. Part Two, written many years later, brings back Chichikov as he meets a miser who allows his estate to go to pot, and a model landowner who works very hard. The question we are left with is whether Chichikov will continue to be a shifty character or will clean up his act like the model landowner. I'm sure it was meant as a question for the reader as well.
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Summary: Another fine translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky
Review: Pevear and Volokhonsky have done it again. Another fine translation of a Russian classic. The art of the Russian novel begins with "Dead Souls," although Gogol himself likened this great work to a poema. Upon its first release, "Dead Souls" immediately won a place in the Russian heart. Chichikov and the various characters that he came in contact with in this strange journey became Russian archetypes. Unfortunately, Gogol could never bring Chichikov's adventures to a close, but this novel does not suffer for it. What makes the P&V translation stand out are the numerous reference notes, so that one can understand the many allusions that Gogol makes. P&V have masterfully rendered Gogol's protean metaphors and delightful similes, so that one can sense the poetic nature in which this novel has been written. The "demonic" plot is most intriguing but what really carries this story are the many wonderful characters that Gogol has artfully rendered, each trying to figure out why Chichikov is so interested in buying their "dead souls," deceased serfs that are still on the census and therefore subject to taxes.
Rating:
Summary: Another fine translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky
Review: Pevear and Volokhonsky have done it again. Another fine translation of a Russian classic. The art of the Russian novel begins with "Dead Souls," although Gogol himself likened this great work to a poema. Upon its first release, "Dead Souls" immediately won a place in the Russian heart. Chichikov and the various characters that he came in contact with in this strange journey became Russian archetypes. Unfortunately, Gogol could never bring Chichikov's adventures to a close, but this novel does not suffer for it. What makes the P&V translation stand out are the numerous reference notes, so that one can understand the many allusions that Gogol makes. P&V have masterfully rendered Gogol's protean metaphors and delightful similes, so that one can sense the poetic nature in which this novel has been written. The "demonic" plot is most intriguing but what really carries this story are the many wonderful characters that Gogol has artfully rendered, each trying to figure out why Chichikov is so interested in buying their "dead souls," deceased serfs that are still on the census and therefore subject to taxes.
Rating:
Summary: Just Wonderful
Review: Reading Gogol is like reading the genesis of Dostoevsky *who greatly admired Dead Souls*. A glorious round trip into pure creative writing and a powerful indictment of materialism, and corruption in Tsarist Russia. Also, fantastically funny!
Rating: 
Summary: Russian Apotheosis
Review: Something about Russian writers seems to make them more brave, eloquent, detached - or whatever other virtue it might take - when it comes to describing the life of fantasy. Gogol's work is probably the very greatest Russian novel in at least this respect. He lays bare all of the ridiculous ways that human beings think of themselves without the self-flagellating pessimism of Dostoyevsky or the digressive sermonizing of Tolstoy. It's also a great satire, but although many of the characters are "types" few of them are two-dimensional.
It's a shame the last few sections of the novel are so piecemeal - I could cheerfully have followed Tchichikov around the country looking for dead peasants to buy for at least another volume.
Rating:
Summary: Dead Souls
Review: The last novel to be written by Russian author Gogol. Modern Library edition, published by Random House. Introduction by Clifford Odets. Former owner's name stamped on title page. Hardcover has wear on spine, pages have some yellowing, otherwise in perfect condition.
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Summary: Social criticism with a great sense of humor
Review: The plot is simple: Pavel Chichikov arrives to a provincial capital of Russia, impresses everyone with his social skills, gets adopted by the "high society" of the town, and then sets out to business: trying to persuade landowners (who are also lifeowners) to give or sell to him all the peasants who have died since the last census. These people, although dead, still generate taxes for the owner, so in principle it is convenient for them. But, of course, everyone asks themselves: "Why would anyone want to buy dead people who cause taxes?". I won't spoil the plot by giving the answer. The important thing is that Gogol uses this plot to paint an exhilarating (but in fact sad) portrait of the Russian society of his time, and of human nature in any time and place, which gives this novel its status as a classic work of art. Corruption, stupidity, naiveté, extreme individualism instead of a spirit of community, and other social vices, present in any society, are represented here by the very funny characters created by the author. Every landowner is a particular form of strange person, procuring Chichikov with crazy adventures. Gogol's writing intersperses the narrative with social reflection and thoughts on human nature, never boring or pretentious, but always funny and satirical. In fact, Gogol's irony and cynicism are probably the most valuable assets of this novel. It belongs to that literary family of books which portray heroes or anti-heores, wandering around, pursuing a fixed, idealized goal. Sometimes this goal is foolish but noble (like Don Quixote), sometimes it is narrow or despicable. These characters illustrate the virtues and vices of us humans, and that makes them live through the centuries. "Dead souls" is undoubtedly a dignifed member of that family, a book which will make you laugh, think and laugh again. By the way, another valuable thing is the way in which Gogol depicts the Russian countryside.
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Summary: Mad, bad, and dangerous to know
Review: The strange thing about this unbelievably hilarious novel is that Gogol originally intended it as part of an answer to Dantes Divine Comedy. Dead Souls is the Inferno, where we are plunged into a world of hypocrites, liars, flatterers and cheats that Dante could never imagine. Russian ladies titter and mumble french platitudes, immoral slave owners haggle over the prices of their (dead) slaves, and the corpulent hero at the center of it all hops from estate to estate, dinner to dinner, until his scheme is found out and his erstwhile admirers run him out of town. Gogol has a gift for physical description, and he will never throw away a phrase unless it is to launch into a particularly delicious narrative diatribe. He elevates the ugliness of his characters. Moreover, if this were not enough, to keep the reader (and himself, perhaps) truly engaged, Gogol offers authorly asides about Russian cuisine, the motivation of his characters, and the flaws of his novel...No, this is not done in an annoying, self-indulgent manner that devotees of Seinfeld and David Eggers find so damn amusing. Dead Souls is satire at its best: Intelligent, fun, and relevant. Reading this novel will put a nasty smirk on your face and make you wish that Gogol had indeed finished his Comedy. Then again, I dont know if the world could handle Gogols take on heaven.
Rating:
Summary: An open mind to absorb pure genius....
Review: This booked queched my thirst for witty, ridiculous yet very insightful literature. Gogol was surely a mad genius to write such a pleasing novel about moral depravity. The only problem (but surely don't let this prevent you from reading it) is the fact the this epic poem was never completed. The second part was burnt after ill advise from a religious guide, and remnants of it are vaguely presented in draft form (perfectly excellent prose though). When I finished the first part I was very enthusiastic, and to my dismay I read through the scattered remnants of the second part realizing what a tremendous novel it would have been, had it ever been completed. It was devasting that Gogol burnt the second part and died before the third could be written. If it had ever been completed, it would be without a doubt the greatest novel mankind could ever produce. Gogol knew this. Please attempt to disagree.
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