48 pages • 1 hour read
The Government Inspector
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Book Brief
96
Play • Fiction
Small Russian Town • 1830s
1836
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The comedy of errors plot in Nikolai Gogol's satirical stage play The Government Inspector revolves around Khlestakov, a young, dissolute government clerk mistaken for an awaited government inspector in a small Russian town; he exploits this misunderstanding to dupe the frantic and corrupt officials, exposing the moral decay and incompetence of government.
Humorous
Mysterious
Unnerving
Dark
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector is celebrated for its sharp satire of bureaucratic corruption and human folly. You'll find its humor engaging, though some modern readers may struggle with its period-specific references and language. Many appreciate the universal themes that remain relevant, while others might find the pacing slow at times.
Who Should Read The Government Inspector?
Readers who enjoy sharp satire and social commentary, akin to George Orwell's Animal Farm or Molière's Tartuffe, will delight in Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector. This play humorously critiques bureaucracy and corruption, making it ideal for those who appreciate literary works that blend wit with incisive political critique.
96
Play • Fiction
Small Russian Town • 1830s
1836
Adult
18+ years
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