logo

62 pages 2 hours read

Nikolai Gogol

Dead Souls

Nikolai GogolFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1842

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Nikolai Gogol

Dead Souls

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1842
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Russia • 19th century

Publication Year

1842

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1080L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Dead Souls, by Nikolai Gogol, tells the story of Chichikov, a mid-rank bureaucrat who attempts to amass wealth by purchasing deceased peasants ("dead souls") who are still counted as living in official records, enabling him to mortgage them for profit. As he navigates the landowners and nobles, his schemes reveal the absurdity and corruption of imperial Russian society.

Mysterious

Humorous

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

88,191 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls is widely praised for its dark humor, satirical narrative, and vivid depiction of 19th-century Russian society. Critics appreciate Gogol's skill in creating complex characters and a compelling plot. However, some readers find the novel's pacing uneven and the ending abrupt. Despite these flaws, it remains a significant work of Russian literature for its biting social commentary.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Dead Souls?

A reader who enjoys Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol is likely interested in satirical, character-driven narratives that offer a critique of society. Fans of Dickens's Bleak House or Dostoevsky's The Idiot would appreciate Gogol's exploration of human folly and greed, paired with humor and incisive social commentary.

4.1

88,191 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Russia • 19th century

Publication Year

1842

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1080L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.