A Terrible Revenge

Nikolai Gogol

Livraria Press

About this ebook

A new translation from the original Russian manuscript of Gogol's classic "A Terrible Revenge". This edition contains an Afterword by the Translator, a timeline of Gogol's life and works and an Index of Gogol's individual works. "A Terrible Revenge" is a story by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol, part of the collection "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka". Approximately dates between the summer and early autumn of 1831. In the first edition of "Evenings", "The Terrible Revenge" has a subtitle, which was removed in later reprints: "An Old True Story". This narrative is laden with dark supernatural elements, telling the story of a man seeking revenge after the murder of his family. The stylistic features of "Terrible Revenge" show the influence of folklore, especially East Slavic. In addition to Gogol's ideas about lamentations and songs written in imitation of Ukrainian folk songs, the story contains many folklore images, comparisons, epithets, including the famous description of the Dnieper: "Wonderful is the Dnieper in calm weather, when it flows freely and smoothly through the forests and the mountains are full of its waters... A rare bird flies to the middle of the Dnieper. Lush!"

About the author

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol was a Russian playwright, short story writer, and novelist of Ukrainian origin. Born in the Ukrainian Cossack village of Sorochyntsi, in the Poltava Governorate of the Russian Empire, Gogol's early years were influenced by Ukrainian culture. His most famous play, "The Inspector General" (1836), and his best-known short stories, "The Overcoat" (1842) and "The Nose" (1836), are considered masterpieces of satirical literature. Gogol's works often blend grotesque and surreal elements with realistic and detailed descriptions of Russian society, earning him a reputation as one of the preeminent figures in Russian literature. Gogol's novel "Dead Souls" (1842), a satirical critique of Russian society, is another significant work that contributed to his legacy. His writing style, characterized by a unique blend of realism, romanticism, and grotesque, profoundly influenced Russian literature. Gogol's works explore themes like identity, the absurdity of bureaucracy, and the plight of the individual against a corrupt system. His influence extends beyond literature into the realms of opera, cinema, and painting, inspiring many adaptations and interpretations. Gogol's unique narrative voice and his ability to capture the essence of Russian life have made him a lasting figure in world literature.