Dead Souls cover

Dead Souls

Original title: Мёртвые души

Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852), trans. D. J. Hogarth

Original en 141209 words First published 1842 Russia

Gogol's 1842 masterpiece, in D. J. Hogarth's translation, and the founding work of modern Russian prose. Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov arrives in a provincial town with a scheme of pure abstraction: he will buy the "dead souls" of serfs who have died but still stand on the tax rolls, and mortgage the paper to the state. Around him Gogol assembles a gallery of landowners — the sentimental Manilov, the brawling Nozdrev, the hoarding Plyushkin — each a portrait of a Russia slipping loose from meaning. Part One stands complete; the sequel Gogol burned shortly before his death, and the novel breaks off mid-sentence.

Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.

Table of Contents

  1. 001 INTRODUCTION Dead Souls, first published in 1842, is the great prose classic of Russia. 2503 words
  2. 002 For in the book which lies before you, and which, probably, you have… 3383 words
  3. 003 The gentleman peered also into the municipal gardens, which contained… 2823 words
  4. 004 Next day Chichikov dined and spent the evening at the house of the… 2693 words
  5. 005 As Chichikov approached the courtyard of the mansion he caught sight… 2583 words
  6. 006 With these sentiments Chichikov expressed entire agreement: adding… 2506 words
  7. 007 “Of the ‘dead’ souls? Oh dear no! Let us write them down as LIVING… 2560 words
  8. 008 “Selifan!” he exclaimed, leaning forward in the britchka. 2971 words
  9. 009 “This lady owns by no means a poor village,” said Chichikov to… 2508 words
  10. 010 “Well, I think it a very queer bargain. 2512 words
  11. 011 “This way.” And she pointed to the road just mentioned. 2590 words
  12. 012 “I am about to call on a friend.” “On what friend? 2551 words
  13. 013 To continue. The three vehicles bowled up to the steps of Nozdrev’s… 2503 words
  14. 014 “How could I have hatched such a scheme as you say? 2534 words
  15. 015 “Very well,” he added aloud. 2845 words
  16. 016 Throughout, Chichikov had been gazing at the young unknown with great… 2523 words
  17. 017 “Let us go to luncheon, my dear,” put in Theodulia Ivanovna to her spouse. 2540 words
  18. 018 “It is of use to YOU, or you would not be buying such articles.”… 2587 words
  19. 019 “Is the master at home?” he inquired. 2582 words
  20. 020 “To the town?” repeated Plushkin. 2715 words
  21. 021 “My friends, what a concourse of you is here! 2523 words
  22. 022 “Would you mind telling me,” said Chichikov, bowing, “whether this is… 2520 words
  23. 023 “But we are not going to let you charge yourself with anything whatsoever. 3310 words
  24. 024 In fact, to refine the Russian tongue the more thoroughly, something… 2517 words
  25. 025 Chichikov stood rooted to the spot, like a man who, after issuing… 2775 words
  26. 026 Such were the unfavourable comments which Chichikov passed upon balls in general. 2961 words
  27. 027 Having done their business with the Governor’s wife, the ladies’… 2027 words
  28. 028 “After fighting in the campaign of 1812, there was sent home… 2798 words
  29. 029 Meanwhile Chichikov knew nothing of these events; for, having… 2940 words
  30. 030 “Ah, good friend, you have lived your life, and now it is over! 2878 words
  31. 031 The next day young Pavlushka made his first attendance at school. 3382 words
  32. 032 But suddenly there appeared upon the scene a new Director--a military… 2938 words
  33. 033 “How have I come to be what I am?” he said to himself. 3259 words
  34. 034 Yet which of you, when quiet, and alone, and engaged in solitary… 2546 words
  35. 035 The foregoing will give the reader a pretty clear idea of the manner… 2512 words
  36. 036 Gradually, therefore, Tientietnikov grew more at home in the Service. 2699 words
  37. 037 But soon even this began to pall upon Tientietnikov, and he ceased… 2512 words
  38. 038 This speech--a speech of fascinating bonhomie--delivered, the guest… 2504 words
  39. 039 As before, Tientietnikov did not reply, and the renewed mention of… 2500 words
  40. 040 “Selifan,” he went on, “did you ask how to get to Colonel… 2553 words
  41. 041 At this moment the door opened, and the “gawk” and the “thief” in… 2654 words
  42. 042 “Truly an astonishing fellow!” reflected Chichikov with a glance at his companion. 2520 words
  43. 043 Much else the Colonel said. 2522 words
  44. 044 Chichikov’s business had nothing to do with the spread of… 2503 words
  45. 045 “In spite of what you say,” remarked Platon as he walked behind the… 2500 words
  46. 046 “But is there NOTHING to which you could set your hand in order to… 2635 words
  47. 047 “Where do you intend henceforth to live?” inquired Platon. 2586 words
  48. 048 Involuntarily the place communicated to the soul a sort of quiet… 2514 words
  49. 049 “Sir, I beg of you to inspect my goods,” said a tradesman as… 2511 words
  50. 050 “I feel that the scheme is a splendid one, and would gladly bear my… 2609 words
  51. 051 And, unable to stand against the torrent of grief which came rushing… 2610 words
  52. 052 Presently the massive door of the cell opened to admit a tchinovnik… 2521 words
  53. 053 [At this point a long hiatus occurs in the original.] “I will send… 2858 words