Diary of a Madman: And Other Stories (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Thankfully we have the genuine genius of Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol to guide us through life's petty squabbles, absurdities and disappointments. This collection of some of his most loved stories are the perfect introduction into the underrated master of Russian literature as they present the reader with accessible, familiar characters in situations we can all relate to. Gogol does not present us with the grand sweep of events like Tolstoy, nor does he wrestle with familial conflict as does Turgenev, but gives us those vital issues that none can resist and all indulge in: petty gossip and irrational grievance.

The first story in this collection is the sublime DIARY OF A MADMAN which for me gives more of an insight into mental illness than just about any other book (fiction or fact) I can think of as we are submerged into the distorted reality of the pathetic Akaky Akakievich who goes from humble document copier to (imaginary) king of Spain. You will laugh out loud at some of Akaky's assertions (Letters are trash! Only chemists write letters!), wonder at some of his revelations (the Spain/China conundrum) and wince as he mistakes "therapy" in the mental asylum for the initiation rituals of the Spanish court. More importantly, Gogol will tear your heart as poor Akaky has a moment of clarity and realises what is really happening to him, before he nails the story with a killer joke final line.

Next up is the surreal THE NOSE, which many hail as his greatest short sotry but I found it a little too surreal for my taste. However, there's no doubting the quality of the writing and a quick scan of the spoiler introduction will explain the true meaning behind the tale.

Following that is the tragi-comic THE OVERCOAT which fuels the readers own insecurities about appearance and how we are judged by others. Beautifully told and with a real sting in the tail. Just as with Diary Of A Madman, Gogol turns the hilarious into heartbreaking and back again with an easy alacrity that I can find no ready comparison to among modern writers.

HOW IVAN IVANOVICH QUARELLED WITH IVAN NIKIFOROVICH sees Gogol back to his gossiping best with a tale of friendship ruined by a petty squabble that gets out of hand. Laugh out loud funny and probably the most accessible story in this collection as the style seems surprisingly modern (readers of Roddy Doyle and Iain Banks will recognise it straight away) and the theme of envy, pettiness and feuding will strike a chord with many. The ensuing court case is also alarmingly familiar in this age of petty litigation.

Finally, we get IVAN FYODOROVICH SHPONKA AND HIS AUNT, an understated tale of family relationships and adapting to change where the ever playful Gogol seems to make the remarkably mundane seem humerous and even exciting. As with the other stories, Gogol's playfulness, easy use of language, tenderness and trapdoor endings shine through.

All in all a beautiful collection of stories that confirmed fans and new readers will love. I have bought this collection at least six times for friends and family and let people borrow my copy many times. Not one has failed to be enchanted and all have fallen under Gogol's spell. Gogol is as relevant and accessible today as he was during his own times as he does not write about events or issues that fade with time, but about people and how they interact with those around them. Will the likes of Tom Clancy, Dan Brown and John Grisham still be read in 100 years time? Definitely not. Will Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol? Most certainly.

The DIARY OF A MAD MAN is an insightful story by Gogol that is full of humor, sadness, tragedy and hope. The literary style is first class and fully exposes the inner turmoil of a man with a conflict in his soul. HOUSE OF THE DEAD, UNION MOUJIK, POOR FOLKS, explore that depth of human suffering that leads to depravity for individuals or groups of people.

"The Diary Of A Madman", first published in 1834, belongs amongst Gogol's St. Petersburg stories. Also ibcluded are "The Nose" and "The Overcoat", which represent the peak of Gogol's achievement. The St. Petersburg stories all deal with the diabolical and nightmarish world of Tsarist Russia's capital city. Gogol depicts individuals isolated in an artificial city, built upon 101 marshy islands and staring out at the Baltic sea. This is a city where reality does not apply, and humanity is suffocated beneath an impersonal bureaucratic hierarchy. The events described are extraordinary in nature, yet told in a matter-of-fact way, which makes Gogol's work a masterpiece of comical absurdity. My favourite story is "The Nose".