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袧褨褔 薪邪锌械褉械写芯写薪褨 袪褨蟹写胁邪
小屑褨褕薪邪, 褉芯屑邪薪褌懈褔薪邪, 泻邪蟹泻芯胁邪 褌邪 褔邪褉褨胁薪邪 褉褨蟹写胁褟薪邪 锌芯胁褨褋褌褜 袦懈泻芯谢懈 袚芯谐芯谢褟, 褟泻褨泄 胁卸械 锌芯薪邪写 185 褉芯泻褨胁.
袙懈写邪胁薪懈褑褌胁芯 BookChef 褍 2019 褉芯褑褨 锌芯褉邪写褍胁邪谢芯 褋胁芯褩褏 写芯褉芯褋谢懈褏 褌邪 屑邪谢懈褏 褔懈褌邪褔褨胁 褋胁褨卸懈屑 胁懈写邪薪薪褟屑 芦袧褨褔 薪邪锌械褉械写芯写薪褨 袪褨蟹写胁邪禄. 袩械褉械泻谢邪写 袨泻褋邪薪懈 袣芯斜械谢械褑褜泻芯褩 褑褨谢泻芯屑 蟹斜械褉褨谐 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉褍 褋邪屑械 褌褨褦褩 屑懈谢芯褩 褋械褉褑褞 袚芯谐芯谢褟 校泻褉邪褩薪懈, 写械 锌褉芯泄褕谢芯 泄芯谐芯 写懈褌懈薪褋褌胁芯. 袩械褉械锌谢械褌械薪薪褟 褍 锌芯胁褨褋褌褨 写邪胁薪褨褏 谢械谐械薪写 褌邪 褉械邪谢褜薪芯谐芯 卸懈褌褌褟 锌褉芯褋褌懈褏 谢褞写械泄 褌芯谐芯 褔邪褋褍 褋褌胁芯褉褞褞褌褜 薪械泄屑芯胁褨褉薪褍 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉褍 锌褉懈褋褍褌薪芯褋褌褨 褍 泻邪蟹泻芯胁懈褏 锌芯写褨褟褏. 袩芯写褨褩 芯写薪褨褦褩 褉褨蟹写胁褟薪芯褩 薪芯褔褨, 写械 褔芯褉褌 褏芯褌褨胁 锌芯褋屑褨褟褌懈褋褟 蟹 谢褞写械泄, 邪谢械 胁 褉械蟹褍谢褜褌邪褌褨 斜褍胁 芯褕褍泻邪薪懈泄 褋邪屑 泻芯蟹邪泻芯屑 袙邪泻褍谢芯褞. 袛芯斜褉芯 锌械褉械屑邪谐邪褦 蟹谢芯, 邪 褔芯褉褌 褋锌芯泻褨泄薪芯 胁屑褨褖褍褦褌褜褋褟 褍 泻懈褕械薪褞 泻芯蟹邪褑褜泻懈褏 褕邪褉芯胁邪褉褨胁.
袙懈写邪胁薪懈褑褌胁芯 BookChef 褍 2019 褉芯褑褨 锌芯褉邪写褍胁邪谢芯 褋胁芯褩褏 写芯褉芯褋谢懈褏 褌邪 屑邪谢懈褏 褔懈褌邪褔褨胁 褋胁褨卸懈屑 胁懈写邪薪薪褟屑 芦袧褨褔 薪邪锌械褉械写芯写薪褨 袪褨蟹写胁邪禄. 袩械褉械泻谢邪写 袨泻褋邪薪懈 袣芯斜械谢械褑褜泻芯褩 褑褨谢泻芯屑 蟹斜械褉褨谐 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉褍 褋邪屑械 褌褨褦褩 屑懈谢芯褩 褋械褉褑褞 袚芯谐芯谢褟 校泻褉邪褩薪懈, 写械 锌褉芯泄褕谢芯 泄芯谐芯 写懈褌懈薪褋褌胁芯. 袩械褉械锌谢械褌械薪薪褟 褍 锌芯胁褨褋褌褨 写邪胁薪褨褏 谢械谐械薪写 褌邪 褉械邪谢褜薪芯谐芯 卸懈褌褌褟 锌褉芯褋褌懈褏 谢褞写械泄 褌芯谐芯 褔邪褋褍 褋褌胁芯褉褞褞褌褜 薪械泄屑芯胁褨褉薪褍 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉褍 锌褉懈褋褍褌薪芯褋褌褨 褍 泻邪蟹泻芯胁懈褏 锌芯写褨褟褏. 袩芯写褨褩 芯写薪褨褦褩 褉褨蟹写胁褟薪芯褩 薪芯褔褨, 写械 褔芯褉褌 褏芯褌褨胁 锌芯褋屑褨褟褌懈褋褟 蟹 谢褞写械泄, 邪谢械 胁 褉械蟹褍谢褜褌邪褌褨 斜褍胁 芯褕褍泻邪薪懈泄 褋邪屑 泻芯蟹邪泻芯屑 袙邪泻褍谢芯褞. 袛芯斜褉芯 锌械褉械屑邪谐邪褦 蟹谢芯, 邪 褔芯褉褌 褋锌芯泻褨泄薪芯 胁屑褨褖褍褦褌褜褋褟 褍 泻懈褕械薪褞 泻芯蟹邪褑褜泻懈褏 褕邪褉芯胁邪褉褨胁.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1831
121 people are currently reading
3,535 people want to read
About the author
Nikolai Gogol
1,833听books5,355听followersPeople consider that Russian writer Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (袧懈泻芯谢邪泄 袙邪褋懈谢褜械胁懈褔 袚芯谐芯谢褜) founded realism in Russian literature. His works include
The Overcoat
(1842) and
Dead Souls
(1842).
Ukrainian birth, heritage, and upbringing of Gogol influenced many of his written works among the most beloved in the tradition of Russian-language literature. Most critics see Gogol as the first Russian realist. His biting satire, comic realism, and descriptions of Russian provincials and petty bureaucrats influenced later Russian masters Leo Tolstoy, Ivan Turgenev, and especially Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Gogol wittily said many later Russian maxims.
Gogol first used the techniques of surrealism and the grotesque in his works The Nose , Viy , The Overcoat , and Nevsky Prospekt . Ukrainian upbringing, culture, and folklore influenced his early works, such as Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka .
His later writing satirized political corruption in the Russian empire in Dead Souls .
Ukrainian birth, heritage, and upbringing of Gogol influenced many of his written works among the most beloved in the tradition of Russian-language literature. Most critics see Gogol as the first Russian realist. His biting satire, comic realism, and descriptions of Russian provincials and petty bureaucrats influenced later Russian masters Leo Tolstoy, Ivan Turgenev, and especially Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Gogol wittily said many later Russian maxims.
Gogol first used the techniques of surrealism and the grotesque in his works The Nose , Viy , The Overcoat , and Nevsky Prospekt . Ukrainian upbringing, culture, and folklore influenced his early works, such as Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka .
His later writing satirized political corruption in the Russian empire in Dead Souls .
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December 24, 2024
鈥�Tonight鈥檚 Christmas Eve鈥nd here I am, tainting myself with sin!鈥�
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a fight with the devil and being caught up vying for the affections of a witch with the local deacon, right? Okay, I鈥檓 guessing these aren鈥檛 your holiday traditions, that is of course unless you live in the small village of Dikanka where strange things are afoot in Nikolai Gogol鈥檚 comedic holiday classic The Night Before Christmas. This long-beloved Ukrainian folktale has been adapted into numerous films and operas and is still widely read as a holiday story. It is a humorous little romp; a jolly novella with multiple plotlines and shady motives colliding on Christmas Eve in slapstick fashion. The various threads all seem to revolve around the local blacksmith, Vakula, whos artistic talents in painting as well as smithery have offended the Devil himself, and on his last night before descending into Hell the Devil decides to wreck a little havoc. Will Vakula win the affection of the most beautiful girl in town, or will the Devil and Solokha, the witch with whom he teams up for a night of devilry, thwart his life and stir unrest in the peaceful village full of lusts? This was a delightful read and the darkly comical story certainly put me in the holiday spirit.
The holiday spirit of ripping a pipe while riding a devil across the sky. Art by .
The Night Before Christmas is collected in , it is also published as a standalone novella in translation by , and works quite well as a single sitting read as snow flutters outside your window on a dark winter鈥檚 night. But is it the evening arriving early that has made it dark or have you crossed the Devil and he has stolen the moon from the sky as he does here鈥�
The story begins with a stolen moon and snowstorm concocted by the Devil and witch as they cackle above the carolers. We get dropped into a wonderfully tangled web of motivations, with the Devil hoping to thwart Vakula鈥檚 advances on Oksana, a girl with a beauty 鈥�to such a degree that no less than a million kisses could have done it justice,鈥� by creating a mess of weather that will send her father back home to catch the pair and banish Vakula. But the witch, who happens to be Vakula鈥檚 son, has designs on Oksana鈥檚 father for his wealth which she鈥檇 rather for herself instead of her son if he were to wed the girl. But nearly every married man in town comes to call for the witch, and we get a parlor comedy of visitors hiding from one another reaching such a silly fever pitch it is hard not to chuckle. There is also Oksana herself, who enjoys leading the blacksmith on though her coldness drives him to despair. Through a comedy of errors and lusts these characters bump across Christmas Eve, making a mess of everything. Will the devil reign supreme or will love conquer all on this holy night?
鈥�Gogol was a strange creature,鈥� wrote , 鈥�but genius is always strange.鈥� This story is a screwball comedy of village manners and folklore run amok, something one would expect from the short story master鈥攐ften considered the first 鈥済reat鈥� of Russian literature鈥攚ith facrical tales that mock government authorities, social critiques, or chilling stories such as Viy that play with myth and morality, all of which influenced writers like , and . The Night Before Christmas uses his pastoral settings to create something like a spoof of peasant culture, a technique of Gogol鈥檚 that Russian Literary scholar referred to as 鈥�stock characters鈥� akin to archtypes that, along with the unfolding of events are drawn from the 鈥�traditional repertory of the Ukrainian puppet theater.鈥� Elements such as these are the heart of the folktale vibes in the story, with pretty one-dimensional characters that serve the story, although it can be unflattering stereotypes and women are not represented very well usually serving as outlets for sexual desire (Oksana鈥檚 whole concern is with her own beauty and Solokha seemingly beds all the men who come to call for personal gain) or simply the shrewd, nagging wife role. Which is鈥ot great. It all does culminate for a reading experience that brings nostalgia for children鈥檚 classics however, and the holiday setting sprinkles some magic in.
So get your seasonal beverage of choice, cozy up by the fire, and get down with some goofy Gogol. It is a charming little read with a happy ending and it will make the season bright.
3.5/5
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a fight with the devil and being caught up vying for the affections of a witch with the local deacon, right? Okay, I鈥檓 guessing these aren鈥檛 your holiday traditions, that is of course unless you live in the small village of Dikanka where strange things are afoot in Nikolai Gogol鈥檚 comedic holiday classic The Night Before Christmas. This long-beloved Ukrainian folktale has been adapted into numerous films and operas and is still widely read as a holiday story. It is a humorous little romp; a jolly novella with multiple plotlines and shady motives colliding on Christmas Eve in slapstick fashion. The various threads all seem to revolve around the local blacksmith, Vakula, whos artistic talents in painting as well as smithery have offended the Devil himself, and on his last night before descending into Hell the Devil decides to wreck a little havoc. Will Vakula win the affection of the most beautiful girl in town, or will the Devil and Solokha, the witch with whom he teams up for a night of devilry, thwart his life and stir unrest in the peaceful village full of lusts? This was a delightful read and the darkly comical story certainly put me in the holiday spirit.
The holiday spirit of ripping a pipe while riding a devil across the sky. Art by .
The Night Before Christmas is collected in , it is also published as a standalone novella in translation by , and works quite well as a single sitting read as snow flutters outside your window on a dark winter鈥檚 night. But is it the evening arriving early that has made it dark or have you crossed the Devil and he has stolen the moon from the sky as he does here鈥�
The story begins with a stolen moon and snowstorm concocted by the Devil and witch as they cackle above the carolers. We get dropped into a wonderfully tangled web of motivations, with the Devil hoping to thwart Vakula鈥檚 advances on Oksana, a girl with a beauty 鈥�to such a degree that no less than a million kisses could have done it justice,鈥� by creating a mess of weather that will send her father back home to catch the pair and banish Vakula. But the witch, who happens to be Vakula鈥檚 son, has designs on Oksana鈥檚 father for his wealth which she鈥檇 rather for herself instead of her son if he were to wed the girl. But nearly every married man in town comes to call for the witch, and we get a parlor comedy of visitors hiding from one another reaching such a silly fever pitch it is hard not to chuckle. There is also Oksana herself, who enjoys leading the blacksmith on though her coldness drives him to despair. Through a comedy of errors and lusts these characters bump across Christmas Eve, making a mess of everything. Will the devil reign supreme or will love conquer all on this holy night?
鈥�Gogol was a strange creature,鈥� wrote , 鈥�but genius is always strange.鈥� This story is a screwball comedy of village manners and folklore run amok, something one would expect from the short story master鈥攐ften considered the first 鈥済reat鈥� of Russian literature鈥攚ith facrical tales that mock government authorities, social critiques, or chilling stories such as Viy that play with myth and morality, all of which influenced writers like , and . The Night Before Christmas uses his pastoral settings to create something like a spoof of peasant culture, a technique of Gogol鈥檚 that Russian Literary scholar referred to as 鈥�stock characters鈥� akin to archtypes that, along with the unfolding of events are drawn from the 鈥�traditional repertory of the Ukrainian puppet theater.鈥� Elements such as these are the heart of the folktale vibes in the story, with pretty one-dimensional characters that serve the story, although it can be unflattering stereotypes and women are not represented very well usually serving as outlets for sexual desire (Oksana鈥檚 whole concern is with her own beauty and Solokha seemingly beds all the men who come to call for personal gain) or simply the shrewd, nagging wife role. Which is鈥ot great. It all does culminate for a reading experience that brings nostalgia for children鈥檚 classics however, and the holiday setting sprinkles some magic in.
So get your seasonal beverage of choice, cozy up by the fire, and get down with some goofy Gogol. It is a charming little read with a happy ending and it will make the season bright.
3.5/5
December 16, 2023
The Night Before Christmas is a scary and hilarious and jolly and most delicious Gothic love story. Why is it so Gothic? Because the blacksmith and the devil are in love with the same girl and on Christmas Eve they start competing for her heart.
The Devil as usual employs his devilish methods.
And such are the methods of the sly blacksmith.
Miracles, surprises and mischief are in abundance and the tale is extremely colourful. And of course good wins in the most unexpected way.
Wonders happen.
The devil flew up to the moon, reached out and tried to grab it, but must have burned his fingers, for he hopped on one leg, sucking on his hand. He walked around it and tried again from the other side, and again jumped back. But the sly one didn鈥檛 give up: he suddenly grabbed the moon with both hands and, juggling it like a hot pancake, stuffed it in his pocket, and flew off as though nothing had happened. In our village of Dikanka, no one noticed the theft. True, when the district scribe crawled out of the tavern on all fours he thought he saw the moon dancing in the sky, but who would believe him?
The Devil as usual employs his devilish methods.
In his spare time, you see, the blacksmith dabbled in painting and actually enjoyed a considerable local reputation鈥� The pinnacle of his art was agreed to be a large panel inside the church porch, which depicted St. Peter expelling the devil from hell on the day of the Last Judgment. Faced with imminent death, the terrified devil darts here and there, while the forgiven sinners bash him with whips and sticks. The devil tried everything to stop Vakula from finishing the hateful portrait, shoving his hand, blowing soot on the panel听鈥� but despite his heartiest efforts the painting was completed and nailed to the church wall, and since then the devil swore to take revenge on its creator.
And such are the methods of the sly blacksmith.
Miracles, surprises and mischief are in abundance and the tale is extremely colourful. And of course good wins in the most unexpected way.
Wonders happen.
December 24, 2023
"Nadie supo en Dikanka c贸mo el diablo rob贸 la Luna. Bien es verdad que el escribiente de la comarca, cuando sali贸 de la taberna tambale谩ndose, dijo, y no sabemos por qu茅, que la ve铆a bailar en el cielo.
驴Cu谩l fue que la causa que empuj贸 al diablo a cometer una acto tan inaudito? Ahora se ver谩."
Siempre que vamos acerc谩ndonos a la Fiestas o estamos en medio de ellas, algunos lectores comienzan a correr a las librer铆as o escarbar entre sus estantes todo aquel cuento o novela que tenga relaci贸n con la Navidad. Algunos hasta releen por en茅sima vez el 鈥淐uento de Navidad鈥� de Charles Dickens.
En mi caso hago algo parecido leyendo este cuento de Nik贸lai G贸gol incluido en sus famosas 鈥淰eladas en un caser铆o de Dinkanka鈥�, libro que no logro encontrar para leer completo.
Salvo este libro y algunos de sus "Cuentos ucranianos", es poco lo que me resta por leer de G贸gol y a煤n as铆 sigue asombr谩ndome.
Este cuento fant谩stico tiene muchas cosas: tiene humor, enredos, intriga, fina iron铆a, un argumento muy bien planteado, una t茅cnica narrativa casi perfecta (como lo fue G贸gol, un escritor casi perfecto), personajes maravillosos y plantea a modo sat铆rico la eterna lucha entre el Bien y el Mal ya desde el comienzo cuando el Diablo en la Noche vieja se roba la luna.
R谩pidamente, iremos conociendo a los dem谩s personajes, dado que el Diablo tiene una bruja amiga en Sor贸chintsi, que se llama Soloja, quien a su vez tiene un hijo llamado Vakula, el herrero, quien est谩 enamorado de la hija de Chub, llamada Oksana y que es la joven m谩s hermosa que se pueda encontrar en toda la comarca.
Oksana, pretendida por muchos, juega con todos los j贸venes que piden su mano pero es Vakula en quien se centrar谩 esta historia maravillosa, quien pisando el filo de la Nochebuena, har谩 lo que sea por quedarse con el coraz贸n de su amada y para ellos recurrir谩 al Diablo, quien no est谩 en ninguna posici贸n de ventaja.
A partir de all铆, suceder谩n varias situaciones que involucrar谩n incluso al alcalde y al di谩cono del pueblo.
Volviendo a G贸gol, sigo sosteniendo que pertenece a esa elite de los escritores m谩s completos que han existido como Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Gustave Flaubert o Albert Camus, s贸lo por nombrar algunos.
Para aquellos que est茅n interesados leer este cuento, existe una excelente edici贸n de N贸rdica Libros, que adem谩s viene ilustrada.
"Nochebuena" es un relato ideal para leer en estos tiempos que corren, mientras el a帽o va llegando a su fin.
驴Cu谩l fue que la causa que empuj贸 al diablo a cometer una acto tan inaudito? Ahora se ver谩."
Siempre que vamos acerc谩ndonos a la Fiestas o estamos en medio de ellas, algunos lectores comienzan a correr a las librer铆as o escarbar entre sus estantes todo aquel cuento o novela que tenga relaci贸n con la Navidad. Algunos hasta releen por en茅sima vez el 鈥淐uento de Navidad鈥� de Charles Dickens.
En mi caso hago algo parecido leyendo este cuento de Nik贸lai G贸gol incluido en sus famosas 鈥淰eladas en un caser铆o de Dinkanka鈥�, libro que no logro encontrar para leer completo.
Salvo este libro y algunos de sus "Cuentos ucranianos", es poco lo que me resta por leer de G贸gol y a煤n as铆 sigue asombr谩ndome.
Este cuento fant谩stico tiene muchas cosas: tiene humor, enredos, intriga, fina iron铆a, un argumento muy bien planteado, una t茅cnica narrativa casi perfecta (como lo fue G贸gol, un escritor casi perfecto), personajes maravillosos y plantea a modo sat铆rico la eterna lucha entre el Bien y el Mal ya desde el comienzo cuando el Diablo en la Noche vieja se roba la luna.
R谩pidamente, iremos conociendo a los dem谩s personajes, dado que el Diablo tiene una bruja amiga en Sor贸chintsi, que se llama Soloja, quien a su vez tiene un hijo llamado Vakula, el herrero, quien est谩 enamorado de la hija de Chub, llamada Oksana y que es la joven m谩s hermosa que se pueda encontrar en toda la comarca.
Oksana, pretendida por muchos, juega con todos los j贸venes que piden su mano pero es Vakula en quien se centrar谩 esta historia maravillosa, quien pisando el filo de la Nochebuena, har谩 lo que sea por quedarse con el coraz贸n de su amada y para ellos recurrir谩 al Diablo, quien no est谩 en ninguna posici贸n de ventaja.
A partir de all铆, suceder谩n varias situaciones que involucrar谩n incluso al alcalde y al di谩cono del pueblo.
Volviendo a G贸gol, sigo sosteniendo que pertenece a esa elite de los escritores m谩s completos que han existido como Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Gustave Flaubert o Albert Camus, s贸lo por nombrar algunos.
Para aquellos que est茅n interesados leer este cuento, existe una excelente edici贸n de N贸rdica Libros, que adem谩s viene ilustrada.
"Nochebuena" es un relato ideal para leer en estos tiempos que corren, mientras el a帽o va llegando a su fin.
February 6, 2025
What devil has done this to the moon, I want to know? May he never have a shot of vodka in the morning.
~~~
Such a wonderful Ukrainian folktale. Nothing more need be said except read Gogol's every December 23.
~~~
Such a wonderful Ukrainian folktale. Nothing more need be said except read Gogol's every December 23.
December 12, 2021
鈥淭he Night Before Christmas鈥濃€攖he first story in the second volume of Gogol鈥檚 Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka (1832)鈥攊s one of the author鈥檚 Ukrainian stories in which the supernatural element is strong, and I believe that it is precisely these stories which constitute his best early work. Of all of them, though, this tale of Christmas Eve is my favorite.
Like my other favorite, St. John鈥檚 Eve, the movement of both the prose and the plot seems daringly improvisational at times, dangerously arbitrary at others, and yet, when the conclusion is eventually reached, each diversion, each apparent divagation, proves itself proportional to the whole, and complements and contributes to the satisfying resolution. It is a high-wire act of a short story: at any moment we feel Gogol will plummet to the ground, but instead he concludes with a flourish, and proudly takes a well-earned bow.
The story, like many folk tales鈥攁 tradition Gogol imitates鈥攊s much too complicated to summarize. Let鈥檚 just say its about our hero the blacksmith Vakula and the adventures he encounters trying to win the love of Okhsana, the beautiful daughter of Choub, and that it involves a witch named Solokha, a bunch of would-be adulterers hiding in coal sacks, a Cossack wizard named Patsiuk who eats levitating dumplings, a trip through the air to St. Petersburg, the Czarina Catherine鈥檚 slippers (and the Czarina herself!), and a devil big enough to steal the moon and summon a snow storm, yet small enough to fit right in Vakula鈥檚 pocket. Oh, and there鈥檚 a happy ending, of course.
I鈥檒l end this review鈥攋ust for the hell of it鈥攚ith the levitating dumplings:
. . . Patsiuk opened his mouth wide, looked at the dumplings, and opened his mouth still wider. Just then a dumpling flipped out of the bowl, plopped into the sour cream, turned over on the other side, jumped up, and went straight into Patsiuk鈥檚 mouth. Patsiuk ate it and again opened his mouth, and in went another dumpling in the same way. He was left only with the work of chewing and swallowing.
鈥淪ee what a marvel!鈥� thought the blacksmith, opening his mouth in surprise, and noticing straightaway that a dumpling was going into his mouth as well and had already smeared his lips with sour cream. Pushing the dumpling away and wiping his lips, the blacksmith began to reflect on what wonders happen in the world and what clever things a man could attain to by means of the unclean powers . . .
December 27, 2024
猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍 (5/5) 鈥� Reading this alternate Christmas classic to my family on the nights leading into Christmas is a rare kind of pleasure. This absolute classic definitely does & even Clement鈥檚 more bright version still somehow manages to fly slightly under the radar in my country - Australia - And I for one wish it was a greater part of our consciousness come this special time of year.
Nikolai Gogol鈥檚 The Night Before Christmas isn鈥檛 your typical holiday story鈥攊t鈥檚 a mischievous, magical, and utterly delightful tale that brought a unique flavor to our family鈥檚 pre-Christmas tradition this year. Reading it aloud to my children over a few cozy nights turned into an unexpected adventure through snowy Ukrainian villages, absurd humor, and devilish trickery.
The story brims with Gogol鈥檚 trademark blend of the surreal and the heartfelt. From the crafty devil stealing the moon (鈥淭he devil, darting about in the sky like a fiery serpent, stole the moon to wreak havoc on the villagers鈥�) to the blacksmith Vakula鈥檚 daring quest for Oksana鈥檚 love (鈥淗e knew the stars could not guide him, but his resolve burned brighter than any flame鈥�), every moment felt alive with vivid imagery and boundless imagination. My kids were particularly enchanted by the devil, who felt more like a cheeky troublemaker than a menacing villain.
One of my favorite passages captures the magic of the snowy setting: 鈥淭he frost sparkled like crushed diamonds on the ground, and the stars seemed close enough to pluck from the sky.鈥� These descriptions transported us to a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, making every scene feel enchanted.
What strikes me most was how Gogol weaves humor, folklore, and the spirit of Christmas into something deeply human. This tale captures not just the chaos of a devil鈥檚 antics, but also the warmth of community and the lengths we go to for love. It鈥檚 a wild, joyful ride that left my family laughing and dreaming of sleigh rides through snowy nights.
Nikolai Gogol鈥檚 The Night Before Christmas isn鈥檛 your typical holiday story鈥攊t鈥檚 a mischievous, magical, and utterly delightful tale that brought a unique flavor to our family鈥檚 pre-Christmas tradition this year. Reading it aloud to my children over a few cozy nights turned into an unexpected adventure through snowy Ukrainian villages, absurd humor, and devilish trickery.
The story brims with Gogol鈥檚 trademark blend of the surreal and the heartfelt. From the crafty devil stealing the moon (鈥淭he devil, darting about in the sky like a fiery serpent, stole the moon to wreak havoc on the villagers鈥�) to the blacksmith Vakula鈥檚 daring quest for Oksana鈥檚 love (鈥淗e knew the stars could not guide him, but his resolve burned brighter than any flame鈥�), every moment felt alive with vivid imagery and boundless imagination. My kids were particularly enchanted by the devil, who felt more like a cheeky troublemaker than a menacing villain.
One of my favorite passages captures the magic of the snowy setting: 鈥淭he frost sparkled like crushed diamonds on the ground, and the stars seemed close enough to pluck from the sky.鈥� These descriptions transported us to a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, making every scene feel enchanted.
What strikes me most was how Gogol weaves humor, folklore, and the spirit of Christmas into something deeply human. This tale captures not just the chaos of a devil鈥檚 antics, but also the warmth of community and the lengths we go to for love. It鈥檚 a wild, joyful ride that left my family laughing and dreaming of sleigh rides through snowy nights.
December 14, 2024
3 stars
short review for busy readers:
No, not Clement C. Moore. Gogol!
A pleasant, old-fashionedly charming Christmas story that gets dark and not a little bit violent in places. Sits somewhere between humorous 鈥渢hose curious people from my village鈥� stories and magical Slavic folk tales. A bit too long for my taste, as the idea becomes repetitious after 20 pages. Probably a lot better read aloud, as it says is common around Christmas time in Ukraine and Russia. Try it for yourself!
Thanks to my GR friend Ian for putting this novella/longer short story on my radar.
short review for busy readers:
No, not Clement C. Moore. Gogol!
A pleasant, old-fashionedly charming Christmas story that gets dark and not a little bit violent in places. Sits somewhere between humorous 鈥渢hose curious people from my village鈥� stories and magical Slavic folk tales. A bit too long for my taste, as the idea becomes repetitious after 20 pages. Probably a lot better read aloud, as it says is common around Christmas time in Ukraine and Russia. Try it for yourself!
Thanks to my GR friend Ian for putting this novella/longer short story on my radar.
April 7, 2020
This was a fast paced read on a Ukrainian/ Russian folktale. And I enjoyed the drawings in it.
On this one night there is an ordinary devil left to roam among Christian folk and teach them devilish tricks.
"If a man carries the devil on his shoulders, he doesn't have far to go." (pg. 36)
On this one night there is an ordinary devil left to roam among Christian folk and teach them devilish tricks.
"If a man carries the devil on his shoulders, he doesn't have far to go." (pg. 36)
December 12, 2018
Totally different book than American writer, "Clement C. Moore's" "The Night Before Christmas". Moore's book is all "visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads" while Gogol's book has the devil running amok on the night before Christmas.
My Penguin Classic edition has a small synopsis in the beginning of the book, and I quote, "The Night Before Christmas is still read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia". Simarliy, Clement C. Moore's book is still read aloud to American children and probably to a whole host of children of different nationalities, including Ukrainen and Russian. Moore's book is sweet. Gogol's is a bit dark, especially for children. Gogol wrote another children's book that I read recently called "Sorotchintzy Fair". The book is similar to his "The Night Before Christmas", for it's a story of good and evil, which basically that's what Gogol's "Night Before Christmas" is all about.
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight"! 馃巹馃巺馃徎
My Penguin Classic edition has a small synopsis in the beginning of the book, and I quote, "The Night Before Christmas is still read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia". Simarliy, Clement C. Moore's book is still read aloud to American children and probably to a whole host of children of different nationalities, including Ukrainen and Russian. Moore's book is sweet. Gogol's is a bit dark, especially for children. Gogol wrote another children's book that I read recently called "Sorotchintzy Fair". The book is similar to his "The Night Before Christmas", for it's a story of good and evil, which basically that's what Gogol's "Night Before Christmas" is all about.
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight"! 馃巹馃巺馃徎
December 23, 2024
鈽嗏槅鈽� o 鈽嗏槅鈽嗏槅 non so decidermi
Si pu貌 rubare la luna per amore?
"Che meraviglia, il brillar della luna!
E la notte, come a farlo apposta, brillava magnifica! E la luce della luna sembrava ancora pi霉 bianca per lo splendore della neve.
SI stava avvicinando, furtivo, alla luna, e aveva gi脿 allungato una mano per prenderla, ma d鈥檜n tratto ......"
Una storia bagnata da vodka e tormente di neve...dove la realt脿 si mescola alla fantasia.
Amore, spirito e magia.
Il mio primo Gogol!
Si pu貌 rubare la luna per amore?
"Che meraviglia, il brillar della luna!
E la notte, come a farlo apposta, brillava magnifica! E la luce della luna sembrava ancora pi霉 bianca per lo splendore della neve.
SI stava avvicinando, furtivo, alla luna, e aveva gi脿 allungato una mano per prenderla, ma d鈥檜n tratto ......"
Una storia bagnata da vodka e tormente di neve...dove la realt脿 si mescola alla fantasia.
Amore, spirito e magia.
Il mio primo Gogol!
December 10, 2018
This is an interesting Christmas story with a combination of reality and fantasy. With an unusual character set, which includes the Devil, a witch and a pious blacksmith, Gogol creates a charming story thematically touching on good against evil, love, jealousy and revenge. For a short fiction, Gogol has employed quite a number of themes; and for each theme, there is an abstract story within the whole. All combined, Gogol creates an engaging story in The Night Before Christmas.
This is my first reading experience of Nikolai Gogol. I may have not approached him with his best work (which my instinct tells me), but this is still a good introduction to his work. I was really impressed with his writing. It has a simple elegance with a touch of satire. And I like the way he tells his story; it is captivating. I can easily put him on par with Dostoevsky and Tolstoy for his skill at story-telling.
Overall, this was a pretty good first read. I'm really happy to have come across yet another Russian author that I want to explore further.
This is my first reading experience of Nikolai Gogol. I may have not approached him with his best work (which my instinct tells me), but this is still a good introduction to his work. I was really impressed with his writing. It has a simple elegance with a touch of satire. And I like the way he tells his story; it is captivating. I can easily put him on par with Dostoevsky and Tolstoy for his skill at story-telling.
Overall, this was a pretty good first read. I'm really happy to have come across yet another Russian author that I want to explore further.
January 8, 2023
2/5
Quiz谩s sea porque el cuento est谩 ambientado en la Ucrania de mediados del siglo XIX, y que la terminolog铆a y las costumbres son desconocidos para m铆, pero el caso es que no he conseguido conectar con la historia que, en esencia y acorde con estas fechas, responde a un demonio que resulta cazado y obligado a actuar en bien de su v铆ctima en contra de sus deseos.
S茅 que estamos hablando de Nikolai Gogol, autor de "Taras Bulba" y de "Almas muertas", pero a m铆 esta historia no me ha llegado en absoluto. M谩s adelante, ampliar茅 esta escueta rese帽a.
Quiz谩s sea porque el cuento est谩 ambientado en la Ucrania de mediados del siglo XIX, y que la terminolog铆a y las costumbres son desconocidos para m铆, pero el caso es que no he conseguido conectar con la historia que, en esencia y acorde con estas fechas, responde a un demonio que resulta cazado y obligado a actuar en bien de su v铆ctima en contra de sus deseos.
S茅 que estamos hablando de Nikolai Gogol, autor de "Taras Bulba" y de "Almas muertas", pero a m铆 esta historia no me ha llegado en absoluto. M谩s adelante, ampliar茅 esta escueta rese帽a.
December 20, 2020
Relato corto, o m谩s bien folcl贸rico, que cuenta como el diablo aparece en v铆spera de Navidad en la aldea de Dikanka (Ucrania) para vengarse de un herrero por haberse atrevido a pintarlo de una manera que no le place. Un herrero llamado Vakula , que esta enamorado de la m谩s bella coqueta del pueblo.
Aqui viene toda esa tradici贸n que aparece sin duda en muchos pa铆ses donde el diablo con todos sus poderes se ve limitado por el ingenio campesino.
Y tambi茅n se expresa en la historia ironia hacia las autoridades del pueblo, con toda su idiosincracia. Relatando historias de amores, matrimonios , cosacos , y viejos verdes. Lo cotidiano mezclado con lo sobrenatural: brujas, diablos, y curanderos. Una comedia de enredos que se nos hace bastante shakesperiana por momentos.
(De la pelicula de 1961)
Todo acaeciando en un marco navide帽o donde se cumple la tradici贸n de que jovenes cantan villancicos en las ventanas y les dan comida : "koliadki"
Y sin querer (y saliendo de la historia) esto me llevo a encontrar esto:
*Lei ambas traducciones (castellano e ingl茅s) , y me encontre con la sorpresa que faltan cosas en una o en la otra. Un problema para los lectores que no somos versados en ruso.
-------------------------------------
Short story, or rather a folk tale, that tells how the devil appears for Xmas Eve in the village of Dikanka (Ukraine) to take revenge on a blacksmith for having dared to paint it in a way that does not please him. A blacksmith named Vakula, who is in love with the most beautiful coquette in town, Oksana.
Here comes all that tradition that undoubtedly appears in many countries where the devil with all his powers is limited by peasant ingenuity.
And it is also expressed in the story irony towards the authorities of the people, mundanes and sacres, with all their idiosyncrasies. Telling stories of loves, marriages, Cossacks, and dirty old men. The everyday mixed with the supernatural: witches, devils, and healers. A comedy of entanglements that makes us quite Shakespearean at times.
All taking place in a Christmas setting where the tradition is fulfilled that young people sing Christmas carols at the windows and the people give them some food.
(Artist Sergei G. Yakutovich.)
It's a nice and entertaining story.
*I read both translations (Spanish and English), and I was surprised that things are missing in one or the other. A problem for readers who are not well versed in Russian, like me.
Aqui viene toda esa tradici贸n que aparece sin duda en muchos pa铆ses donde el diablo con todos sus poderes se ve limitado por el ingenio campesino.
Y tambi茅n se expresa en la historia ironia hacia las autoridades del pueblo, con toda su idiosincracia. Relatando historias de amores, matrimonios , cosacos , y viejos verdes. Lo cotidiano mezclado con lo sobrenatural: brujas, diablos, y curanderos. Una comedia de enredos que se nos hace bastante shakesperiana por momentos.
(De la pelicula de 1961)
Todo acaeciando en un marco navide帽o donde se cumple la tradici贸n de que jovenes cantan villancicos en las ventanas y les dan comida : "koliadki"
Y sin querer (y saliendo de la historia) esto me llevo a encontrar esto:
*Lei ambas traducciones (castellano e ingl茅s) , y me encontre con la sorpresa que faltan cosas en una o en la otra. Un problema para los lectores que no somos versados en ruso.
-------------------------------------
Short story, or rather a folk tale, that tells how the devil appears for Xmas Eve in the village of Dikanka (Ukraine) to take revenge on a blacksmith for having dared to paint it in a way that does not please him. A blacksmith named Vakula, who is in love with the most beautiful coquette in town, Oksana.
Here comes all that tradition that undoubtedly appears in many countries where the devil with all his powers is limited by peasant ingenuity.
And it is also expressed in the story irony towards the authorities of the people, mundanes and sacres, with all their idiosyncrasies. Telling stories of loves, marriages, Cossacks, and dirty old men. The everyday mixed with the supernatural: witches, devils, and healers. A comedy of entanglements that makes us quite Shakespearean at times.
All taking place in a Christmas setting where the tradition is fulfilled that young people sing Christmas carols at the windows and the people give them some food.
(Artist Sergei G. Yakutovich.)
It's a nice and entertaining story.
*I read both translations (Spanish and English), and I was surprised that things are missing in one or the other. A problem for readers who are not well versed in Russian, like me.
November 30, 2020
I never read other folklore/fairy tales from other countries than West Europe or Korea. So, it was definitely a lot to process in the beginning to understand the different culture and people described in this book. The story shows the night before Christmas in Dikanka, Ukraine, where the devil steals the moon, where you will meet a witch, a blacksmith who is much in love with the most beautiful girl in the town and where the shoes of the Tsarina play a bigger role than expected.
All the characters are showing their good and bad sides, and even the devil seems to be a character with its own flaws which makes it amiable (kind of). Some elements are well known like the snow, a lot of vodka and the view described of St. Petersburg.
I was very entertained to read through this short, lovely fairy tale. If read aloud to children, I could totally imagine their giggles and laughters. I鈥檓 sure that this would be a very fun read for young and old. Additionally, the penguin christmas edition was so pretty and the layout was wonderful! I loved the formatting, the high quality cover and the illustrations they have included.
All the characters are showing their good and bad sides, and even the devil seems to be a character with its own flaws which makes it amiable (kind of). Some elements are well known like the snow, a lot of vodka and the view described of St. Petersburg.
I was very entertained to read through this short, lovely fairy tale. If read aloud to children, I could totally imagine their giggles and laughters. I鈥檓 sure that this would be a very fun read for young and old. Additionally, the penguin christmas edition was so pretty and the layout was wonderful! I loved the formatting, the high quality cover and the illustrations they have included.
December 25, 2021
螆谓伪 蟻蠅蟽喂魏蠈 蠂蟻喂蟽蟿慰蠀纬蔚谓谓喂维蟿喂魏慰 蟺伪蟻伪渭蠉胃喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰谓 渭蔚纬维位慰 螡喂魏慰位维喂 螕魏蠈纬魏慰位, 苇谓伪 伪谓维纬谓蠅蟽渭伪 蟺慰蠀 胃伪 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 蠈位慰喂 谓伪 未喂伪尾维味慰蠀渭蔚 伪蠀蟿苇蟼 蟿喂蟼 畏渭苇蟻蔚蟼 蟽蠉渭蠁蠅谓伪 渭蔚 蟿慰谓 螡伪渭蟺蠈魏慰蠁. 螚 喂蟽蟿慰蟻委伪 蟿慰蠀 蟽喂未蔚蟻维 螔伪魏慰蠉位伪, 慰 慰蟺慰委慰蟼 纬喂伪 谓伪 蟺蔚蟿蠉蠂蔚喂 蟿慰谓 蔚蟻蠅蟿喂魏蠈 蟿慰蠀 蟽魏慰蟺蠈, 蟿喂胃伪蟽蔚蠉蔚喂 伪魏蠈渭畏 魏伪喂 蟿慰谓 未喂维尾慰位慰, 蟺伪蟻慰蠀蟽喂维味蔚蟿伪喂 渭蔚 蟺伪蟻伪蟽蟿伪蟿喂魏蠈蟿畏蟿伪 魏伪喂 蟺蔚蟻喂蟽蟽萎 蠂蟻喂蟽蟿慰蠀纬蔚谓谓喂维蟿喂魏畏 伪蟿渭蠈蟽蠁伪喂蟻伪, 蟽蟿畏 巍蠅蟽委伪 蟿蠅谓 韦蟽维蟻蠅谓.
螚 渭伪蟿伪喂慰未慰尉委伪, 畏 未蔚喂蟽喂未伪喂渭慰谓委伪 魏伪喂 畏 蔚蟺喂渭慰谓萎, 蔚尉蠀蠁伪委谓慰谓蟿伪喂 蟺蔚蟻委蟿蔚蠂谓伪 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蔚 蟺伪蟻伪未慰蟽喂伪魏苇蟼 蔚喂魏蠈谓蔚蟼 伪蟺蠈 蠂喂慰谓喂蟽渭苇谓蔚蟼 蟽蟿苇纬蔚蟼, 魏蠅渭喂魏苇蟼 魏伪蟿伪蟽蟿维蟽蔚喂蟼 魏伪喂 蠁维蟻蟽蔚蟼, 伪蠁蔚位蔚委蟼 蠂蠅蟻喂魏慰蠉蟼 魏伪喂 纬蔚谓喂魏维 渭喂伪 蟽蔚喂蟻维 伪蟺蠈 伪蟻蠂蔚蟿蠀蟺喂魏苇蟼 蠁喂纬慰蠉蟻蔚蟼 蟺慰蠀 蔚谓委慰蟿蔚 胃蠀渭委味慰蠀谓 伪蟻蠂伪喂慰蔚位位畏谓喂魏萎 魏蠅渭蠅未委伪. 螆谓伪 蔚蠀蠂维蟻喂蟽蟿慰 伪谓维纬谓蠅蟽渭伪 蠂蠅蟻委蟼 渭蔚纬维位慰 尾维胃慰蟼, 伪位位维 渭蔚 伪蟿渭慰蟽蠁伪喂蟻喂魏萎 纬蟻伪蠁萎, 蟿慰 慰蟺慰委慰 蟽蔚 伪蟻蟺维味蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏 蟽蔚位委未伪 魏伪喂 蟽蔚 魏维谓蔚喂 谓伪 蠄维蠂谓蔚喂蟼 苇谓伪 蟿味维魏喂 魏伪喂 蠁蟿畏谓萎 尾蠈蟿魏伪 纬喂伪 谓伪 蟿慰 伪蟺慰位伪蠉蟽蔚喂蟼 蟺位萎蟻蠅蟼, 蟿伪蠀蟿喂味蠈渭蔚谓慰蟼 渭蔚 蟿慰蠀蟼 蠂伪蟻伪魏蟿萎蟻蔚蟼.
危委纬慰蠀蟻伪 未蔚谓 伪纬纬委味蔚喂 蟿畏谓 伪尉委伪 蟿蠅谓 渭蔚纬维位蠅谓 苇蟻纬蠅谓 蟿慰蠀 螕魏蠈纬魏慰位, 伪位位维 蔚委谓伪喂 苇谓伪 纬位蠀魏蠈, 谓慰蟽蟿伪位纬喂魏蠈 魏伪喂 魏伪位慰纬蟻伪渭渭苇谓慰 蟺伪蟻伪渭蠉胃喂 纬喂伪 蠈位蔚蟼 蟿喂蟼 畏位喂魏委蔚蟼, 渭蔚 蟺伪魏蟿蠅位蠈 位伪慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏蠋谓 魏伪喂 蔚胃谓慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏蠋谓 蟽蟿慰喂蠂蔚委蠅谓, 蟺伪蟻维 蟿畏 渭喂魏蟻萎 蟿慰蠀 苇魏蟿伪蟽畏.
螚 渭伪蟿伪喂慰未慰尉委伪, 畏 未蔚喂蟽喂未伪喂渭慰谓委伪 魏伪喂 畏 蔚蟺喂渭慰谓萎, 蔚尉蠀蠁伪委谓慰谓蟿伪喂 蟺蔚蟻委蟿蔚蠂谓伪 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蔚 蟺伪蟻伪未慰蟽喂伪魏苇蟼 蔚喂魏蠈谓蔚蟼 伪蟺蠈 蠂喂慰谓喂蟽渭苇谓蔚蟼 蟽蟿苇纬蔚蟼, 魏蠅渭喂魏苇蟼 魏伪蟿伪蟽蟿维蟽蔚喂蟼 魏伪喂 蠁维蟻蟽蔚蟼, 伪蠁蔚位蔚委蟼 蠂蠅蟻喂魏慰蠉蟼 魏伪喂 纬蔚谓喂魏维 渭喂伪 蟽蔚喂蟻维 伪蟺蠈 伪蟻蠂蔚蟿蠀蟺喂魏苇蟼 蠁喂纬慰蠉蟻蔚蟼 蟺慰蠀 蔚谓委慰蟿蔚 胃蠀渭委味慰蠀谓 伪蟻蠂伪喂慰蔚位位畏谓喂魏萎 魏蠅渭蠅未委伪. 螆谓伪 蔚蠀蠂维蟻喂蟽蟿慰 伪谓维纬谓蠅蟽渭伪 蠂蠅蟻委蟼 渭蔚纬维位慰 尾维胃慰蟼, 伪位位维 渭蔚 伪蟿渭慰蟽蠁伪喂蟻喂魏萎 纬蟻伪蠁萎, 蟿慰 慰蟺慰委慰 蟽蔚 伪蟻蟺维味蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏 蟽蔚位委未伪 魏伪喂 蟽蔚 魏维谓蔚喂 谓伪 蠄维蠂谓蔚喂蟼 苇谓伪 蟿味维魏喂 魏伪喂 蠁蟿畏谓萎 尾蠈蟿魏伪 纬喂伪 谓伪 蟿慰 伪蟺慰位伪蠉蟽蔚喂蟼 蟺位萎蟻蠅蟼, 蟿伪蠀蟿喂味蠈渭蔚谓慰蟼 渭蔚 蟿慰蠀蟼 蠂伪蟻伪魏蟿萎蟻蔚蟼.
危委纬慰蠀蟻伪 未蔚谓 伪纬纬委味蔚喂 蟿畏谓 伪尉委伪 蟿蠅谓 渭蔚纬维位蠅谓 苇蟻纬蠅谓 蟿慰蠀 螕魏蠈纬魏慰位, 伪位位维 蔚委谓伪喂 苇谓伪 纬位蠀魏蠈, 谓慰蟽蟿伪位纬喂魏蠈 魏伪喂 魏伪位慰纬蟻伪渭渭苇谓慰 蟺伪蟻伪渭蠉胃喂 纬喂伪 蠈位蔚蟼 蟿喂蟼 畏位喂魏委蔚蟼, 渭蔚 蟺伪魏蟿蠅位蠈 位伪慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏蠋谓 魏伪喂 蔚胃谓慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏蠋谓 蟽蟿慰喂蠂蔚委蠅谓, 蟺伪蟻维 蟿畏 渭喂魏蟻萎 蟿慰蠀 苇魏蟿伪蟽畏.
January 8, 2018
Tudo come莽ou com uma bruxa que apagou as estrelas e um diabo que meteu a lua no bolso...
O resto n茫o lhe fica atr谩s, confus玫es e trapalhadas que s贸 uma mente genial como a de Gogol se lembraria de inventar para um conto de Natal.
O resto n茫o lhe fica atr谩s, confus玫es e trapalhadas que s贸 uma mente genial como a de Gogol se lembraria de inventar para um conto de Natal.
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November 2, 2022
What even the bloody hell.
[ to review at a later date - perhaps even re-read and review at a later date as well, though not urgent ]
[ to review at a later date - perhaps even re-read and review at a later date as well, though not urgent ]
December 24, 2020
If I wasn't already a big fan of Russian literature, I'd have found this short story to be a real odd duck. Or a devil, as the case may be.
Seeing it through modern standards, it's easy to see the carollers and the devil shoving himself down chimneys as both usual and unique at the same time, but it's the poor drunks, the adultery, the vanity, and the eventual romance that is had at the knife of a suicide attempt that makes this a TRUE Christmas story.
Do you think I'm joking? We've gotta have a roll call of ALL the sins before they can all be signed off. This is a GLORIOUS tribute to a truly Russian Xmas. It's not hard to find the devil if he rides on your shoulder!
(BTW I hated all the characters. And yet, it was fun.) :)
Seeing it through modern standards, it's easy to see the carollers and the devil shoving himself down chimneys as both usual and unique at the same time, but it's the poor drunks, the adultery, the vanity, and the eventual romance that is had at the knife of a suicide attempt that makes this a TRUE Christmas story.
Do you think I'm joking? We've gotta have a roll call of ALL the sins before they can all be signed off. This is a GLORIOUS tribute to a truly Russian Xmas. It's not hard to find the devil if he rides on your shoulder!
(BTW I hated all the characters. And yet, it was fun.) :)
December 19, 2020
A caper. Some heavy duty irony, too, since you鈥檝e got thefts, vanity, deception, attempted adultery and deals with the devil going on just as Christ鈥檚 birth is being celebrated. There鈥檚 also some anger and envy and greed, if you really look, which rounds out the seven deadly sins. And all indulged with gusto. Seems more a Halloween tale to me than Christmas. But maybe that鈥檚 what Gogol is saying: We鈥檙e much more for mischief than solemnity; or maybe mischief honors Christ more since it is truer to who we are. For me this tale has the energy of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'
December 31, 2020
Why did I read a Christmas story in the middle of the summer? No idea. But it was Gogol and it was awesome! As always, love the writing and love how he incorporated the local Ukrainian culture, folklore, and customs into his narrative. Great atmosphere and a fun read.
January 26, 2018
This short story appears in the second volume of the book Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka. Don't let the name fool you, it's not the typical Christmas tale, it's just as weird as another one I recently read (The Christmas Tree and the Wedding). It starts so peacefully, a perfect Christmas depiction. And suddenly, a witch. And then, the Devil, looking for good people to teach them to sin. If it weren't for Gogol's brilliant writing and detailed descriptions that let you enjoy this even more, I'd be bored to death.
The way Gogol described the Devil reminded me of a Disney's devil, you know, the one that appears in the movie Fantasia. I loved that film until the last part, 鈥淣ight on Bald Mountain鈥�. Oh my, that image freaked me out so bad. But even as a kid, I loved animated films with classical background music. (Yup, I was a very popular kid at school...).
Anyway, this devil hated a blacksmith/artist that painted a well-known picture of Saint Peter and a defeated evil spirit, so he sworn vengeance on this handsome fellow that was in love with a beautiful girl (one of those conceited girls that know they're beautiful but deny their beauty so other people tell them that they're indeed beautiful; a quite annoying habit). Therefore, his evil plan was to steal the moon! And the reason is explained by Gogol in such a funny and delicate manner. And that might be his trademark: being able to write about kind people or bad people with no morals committing questionable or despicable acts but without losing humor nor subtlety.
Just a sample:
An incisive yet funny portrayal of human behavior; no doubt.
Again, not the typical Christmas tale, and I love Gogol for that.
Dec 22, 13
* Also on .
The way Gogol described the Devil reminded me of a Disney's devil, you know, the one that appears in the movie Fantasia. I loved that film until the last part, 鈥淣ight on Bald Mountain鈥�. Oh my, that image freaked me out so bad. But even as a kid, I loved animated films with classical background music. (Yup, I was a very popular kid at school...).
Anyway, this devil hated a blacksmith/artist that painted a well-known picture of Saint Peter and a defeated evil spirit, so he sworn vengeance on this handsome fellow that was in love with a beautiful girl (one of those conceited girls that know they're beautiful but deny their beauty so other people tell them that they're indeed beautiful; a quite annoying habit). Therefore, his evil plan was to steal the moon! And the reason is explained by Gogol in such a funny and delicate manner. And that might be his trademark: being able to write about kind people or bad people with no morals committing questionable or despicable acts but without losing humor nor subtlety.
Just a sample:
An incisive yet funny portrayal of human behavior; no doubt.
Again, not the typical Christmas tale, and I love Gogol for that.
Dec 22, 13
* Also on .
December 27, 2018
Starting my Christmas reading late but looking forward to my 4 stories nonetheless! I started Nikolai Gogol's The Night Before Christmas, first and intended to read on Christmas Eve but my plans always seem to change. LOL This is the first work that I read by Gogol, "Dead Souls" is on my list for 2019. What I found interesting in this story which was different than my Russian Christmas stories that I read last year; this was upbeat though it steeped in moral guidance but in a fun way and last years were more melancholy and depressing, though I also love them. If interested click on my Christmas shelf above to see those stories.
This short story is fantasy, farce and has a religious element from beginning to end but with such an interesting set of characters. What does this have to do with Christmas? It takes place the night before but other than that Christmas really is not mentioned but Christianity and The Devil are at odds. The Devil look to play havoc by stealing the moon causing pitch darkness. The witch is a lady of the neighborhood who is interesting in that her son is a great example of his Christian faith which provides him with a weapon against The Devil's devilish plans. Add many townspeople that are characters in themself and a beautiful girl who indeed likes her looks, this becomes quite the story. Under the book's description this is read to children, which some parts seem interesting for children's minds but the morals for the children are good lessons learned. If our relatives are not the sort of moral guidance needed, one can find those who can direct and live their lives quite on opposite poles and live a better life. Oh, add a touch of romance which makes this story quite endearing.
This version had two end notes that were helpful and several other things I looked up on my own. A wonderful read IMO, I could feel myself in the blackness of a blizzard and watched the story played out. The illustrations were very enjoyable.
馃挄馃挄馃尲馃挅
This short story is fantasy, farce and has a religious element from beginning to end but with such an interesting set of characters. What does this have to do with Christmas? It takes place the night before but other than that Christmas really is not mentioned but Christianity and The Devil are at odds. The Devil look to play havoc by stealing the moon causing pitch darkness. The witch is a lady of the neighborhood who is interesting in that her son is a great example of his Christian faith which provides him with a weapon against The Devil's devilish plans. Add many townspeople that are characters in themself and a beautiful girl who indeed likes her looks, this becomes quite the story. Under the book's description this is read to children, which some parts seem interesting for children's minds but the morals for the children are good lessons learned. If our relatives are not the sort of moral guidance needed, one can find those who can direct and live their lives quite on opposite poles and live a better life. Oh, add a touch of romance which makes this story quite endearing.
This version had two end notes that were helpful and several other things I looked up on my own. A wonderful read IMO, I could feel myself in the blackness of a blizzard and watched the story played out. The illustrations were very enjoyable.
馃挄馃挄馃尲馃挅
December 24, 2023
3,5猸愶笍
Me estreno con Gogol con este cuento navide帽o de 1831 de lo m谩s loco y divertido. Se ambienta en un pueblecito ficticio de Ucrania, donde veremos de primera mano las tradiciones locales de estas fechas: c谩nticos, visitas a los vecinos, gastronom铆a鈥� Podr铆a ser un cuento encantador y costumbrista, 驴verdad? Sin embargo, todo comienza con el Diablo robando la luna y dejando a todo el pueblo en la mayor de las oscuridades. 驴Qu茅 le ha llevado a hacer algo as铆? 隆Con esa curiosa pregunta empieza todo!
听
De esta historia cabe destacar lo bien que el autor hace convivir los elementos m谩gicos y fant谩sticos con el retrato social de su tiempo. Y es que, aparte del Diablo, habr谩 tambi茅n magos y brujas que coleccionan estrellas, pero tambi茅n un alcalde y un di谩cono (no queda titere con cabeza), vecinos varios y鈥� los dos protagonistas de una 驴historia de amor?
听
Oksana es la m谩s bella del lugar, 隆y no necesita que nadie se lo diga! Ya se lo dice ella misma en los largos ratos que pasa delante del espejo y desde帽ando a todos sus pretendientes a quienes pide unos zapatos tan bonitos como los de la zarina. 隆No pide nada!
听
Por otro lado, tendremos a Vakula, un muy buen herrero con una vena art铆stica que le meter谩 en algunos problemas. 脡l, para conseguir el afecto de su amada, pedir谩 ayuda al diablo鈥� y hasta aqu铆 puedo leer.
听
Si bien es cierto que es cortito y muy divertido, no dir铆a que es un cuento ligero. Yo lo tuve que leer bastante concentrada para seguir bien la historia, no liarme con los personajes y sacarle todo su jugo.
听
Y despu茅s de leer este cuento鈥� dir茅 que, junto a los chapines de rub铆es y los zapatos de cristal de cenicienta, los zapatos de la zarina鈥�. Se convierten en uno de mis calzados literarios favoritos.
Me estreno con Gogol con este cuento navide帽o de 1831 de lo m谩s loco y divertido. Se ambienta en un pueblecito ficticio de Ucrania, donde veremos de primera mano las tradiciones locales de estas fechas: c谩nticos, visitas a los vecinos, gastronom铆a鈥� Podr铆a ser un cuento encantador y costumbrista, 驴verdad? Sin embargo, todo comienza con el Diablo robando la luna y dejando a todo el pueblo en la mayor de las oscuridades. 驴Qu茅 le ha llevado a hacer algo as铆? 隆Con esa curiosa pregunta empieza todo!
听
De esta historia cabe destacar lo bien que el autor hace convivir los elementos m谩gicos y fant谩sticos con el retrato social de su tiempo. Y es que, aparte del Diablo, habr谩 tambi茅n magos y brujas que coleccionan estrellas, pero tambi茅n un alcalde y un di谩cono (no queda titere con cabeza), vecinos varios y鈥� los dos protagonistas de una 驴historia de amor?
听
Oksana es la m谩s bella del lugar, 隆y no necesita que nadie se lo diga! Ya se lo dice ella misma en los largos ratos que pasa delante del espejo y desde帽ando a todos sus pretendientes a quienes pide unos zapatos tan bonitos como los de la zarina. 隆No pide nada!
听
Por otro lado, tendremos a Vakula, un muy buen herrero con una vena art铆stica que le meter谩 en algunos problemas. 脡l, para conseguir el afecto de su amada, pedir谩 ayuda al diablo鈥� y hasta aqu铆 puedo leer.
听
Si bien es cierto que es cortito y muy divertido, no dir铆a que es un cuento ligero. Yo lo tuve que leer bastante concentrada para seguir bien la historia, no liarme con los personajes y sacarle todo su jugo.
听
Y despu茅s de leer este cuento鈥� dir茅 que, junto a los chapines de rub铆es y los zapatos de cristal de cenicienta, los zapatos de la zarina鈥�. Se convierten en uno de mis calzados literarios favoritos.
December 24, 2020
The Devil has stolen the moon and is terrorizing the village of the blacksmith Vakula. Why? Because Vakula aggravated the Devil with a painting he made for the village church. Tragically enough, Vakula's own mother (a witch) is helping the Devil.
Soon enough, Vakula even makes a deal with the Devil in order to get the girl Oksana, whom he is madly in love with.* Amidst blizzards and ALL sins mentioned in the Bible, an epic battle (of sorts) begins.
It's a grim tale, like many from Eastern European countries or Russia, and one that is apparently still read to children every Christmas. And I can see why for it has cool worldbuilding, dark humour, high stakes and a relatable hero fighting evil - or is it just his neighbours he's fighting? In any case, this has all the hallmarks of a great story.
Accompanying the tale in this lovely little edition are nice black-and-white illustrations by different Eastern European and Russian artists that all captured the spirit of the story wonderfully.
I had never read or heard of this tale before, but immediately felt drawn into this snowy, ice-cold place that was full of ... character.
* I must admit that I don't really understand the obsession with the girl. Beautiful she might be, but she also behaved abominally, was arrogant and vain and just downright unpleasant.
Soon enough, Vakula even makes a deal with the Devil in order to get the girl Oksana, whom he is madly in love with.* Amidst blizzards and ALL sins mentioned in the Bible, an epic battle (of sorts) begins.
It's a grim tale, like many from Eastern European countries or Russia, and one that is apparently still read to children every Christmas. And I can see why for it has cool worldbuilding, dark humour, high stakes and a relatable hero fighting evil - or is it just his neighbours he's fighting? In any case, this has all the hallmarks of a great story.
Accompanying the tale in this lovely little edition are nice black-and-white illustrations by different Eastern European and Russian artists that all captured the spirit of the story wonderfully.
I had never read or heard of this tale before, but immediately felt drawn into this snowy, ice-cold place that was full of ... character.
* I must admit that I don't really understand the obsession with the girl. Beautiful she might be, but she also behaved abominally, was arrogant and vain and just downright unpleasant.
December 21, 2020
My first read by Gogol and what a delightful surprise. This short story is a funny folkloric tale of a deal with the devil. Lots of magic throughout. I could visualize many of the comedic movies I've seen when reading some of the sequences. Instead of Santa coming down the chimney you have a witch and the devil. And is this the origin of the phrase " you've got the devil on your back"? I'm sure there is deeper meanings to be gotten from the story but I just really enjoyed the surface. Of course there is the good vs. evil, dark vs. light and the seven deadly sins all juxtaposed with the preparations to the celebrate the birth of Christ who brought light into the world.
I am definitely going to read additional Gorgol stories from his collected works.
I am definitely going to read additional Gorgol stories from his collected works.
December 4, 2022
My dearest, precious Gogol takes weirdness to a whole other level by writing a Christmas story where Devil steals the moon to take revenge on a blacksmith who also happened to be a painter and did him injustice by painting the devil too devilish; a witch who hides all the men of the town in coal sacks and a simple blacksmith who manages to approach the Tsarina to ask for her shoes only to persuade her beloved to marry him aaand all happening in a small time over a time period of a couple of hours. I am enchanted by the degree of wild imagination, powerful prose and the witty remarks. A must-read classic Christmas story unlike anything you have read.
December 17, 2023
Not at all what I was expecting; I thought I had read this, but clearly not, I' m sure I would have remembered a tale of a witch and a devil running amok on Christmas Eve.
December 12, 2024
2.5*
This story was a little too fast paced and all over the place for me. I just found the writing style/story confusing in parts. Maybe I will come back and re-read it in the future. I have two books by Gogol to read in my "next year" pile so I look forward to that.
This story was a little too fast paced and all over the place for me. I just found the writing style/story confusing in parts. Maybe I will come back and re-read it in the future. I have two books by Gogol to read in my "next year" pile so I look forward to that.
January 7, 2021
I received this as a Christmas present. The old world feel is wonderful and I enjoyed being transported to another time and place. It is short and unique. If you like old world fairy tales, you will probably enjoy this.
December 21, 2024
Well, that was unexpected. I鈥檓 used to the harsh realism of 19th-century Russian literature, so a devil literally stealing the moon and stuffing it in his pocket? What? I was so dumbfounded at first.听
听
Turns out it鈥檚 a satirical, light-hearted story with magical elements of Ukrainian folklore. The devil, as a character, surprised me the most. Typically, devils symbolise powerful villains tied to moral corruption and order鈥檚 destruction, but Gogol鈥檚 devil is humanly-weak, foolish, and embarrassingly easy to outsmart鈥攁 joke rather than a threat (unlike Tolstoy鈥檚 devil, for example).
听
I also liked how Gogol cleverly mentioned the deadly vices like gluttony, vanity, and lust while also pointing out the hypocrisy and corruption of authorities. Neat.听
听
Will I remember this book? Probably not. But it was undeniably fun.
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Turns out it鈥檚 a satirical, light-hearted story with magical elements of Ukrainian folklore. The devil, as a character, surprised me the most. Typically, devils symbolise powerful villains tied to moral corruption and order鈥檚 destruction, but Gogol鈥檚 devil is humanly-weak, foolish, and embarrassingly easy to outsmart鈥攁 joke rather than a threat (unlike Tolstoy鈥檚 devil, for example).
听
I also liked how Gogol cleverly mentioned the deadly vices like gluttony, vanity, and lust while also pointing out the hypocrisy and corruption of authorities. Neat.听
听
Will I remember this book? Probably not. But it was undeniably fun.
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