Dead Souls
Gogol invented Russian prose fiction's signature move: using absurdist comedy to expose a fundamentally broken society.
“Russia, whither art thou speeding? Answer me! She gives no answer.”
Why It Matters
Gogol invented Russian prose fiction's signature move: using absurdist comedy to expose a fundamentally broken society. Chichikov buying dead serfs for a scam is one of literature's great satirical premises, and the book's unfinished state only adds to its weird power. Dostoevsky said all Russian literature came out of Gogol's "Overcoat," but Dead Souls is the bigger achievement.
The 
Take
Personal reviewGreat quips and descriptions, the detailed distinct characters were awesome, the overarching theme of political fraud and dead souls is great. Very pumped for more Russian classics. Loved the guy who has no main interests, loved the gossip around town, loved the guy who spilled the beans but then told chichirov to leave town just in time.
Notable Quotes
“It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.”
“The longer and more carefully we look at a funny story, the sadder it becomes.”