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5 Stars • Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol follows the cunning Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov as he travels through Russia, buying "dead souls"—serfs who are deceased but still listed in government records. His scheme aims to use these souls as collateral for a loan, exposing the corruption and moral decay of Russian society through his interactions with various landowners. Each character represents a satirical critique of societal flaws.

I disliked this short story the first time I read it years ago and I forgot I‘d read it. I still don‘t like it. It‘s quite sad though because it could be quite good—about why an old woman gave up gambling. Then the ending falls so flat. Fortunately it‘s very short so there‘s that. #letterQ #halloweenatoz

#hauntedshelf #hexesandcrows @Catsandbooks @PuddleJumper

https://youtu.be/fH19_Q7CoZ0?si=WEN0Q_yJkcEYtiLL

The premise of this short novel is quirky and disturbing whilst raising some philosophical concerns on humanity, science and politics. There are subtleties here I think I missed because I don‘t know enough about the Russian Revolution and after. For now, I am left with the impression this is a very brave novel to write.

#Fiction #books #readaway2024 #eBook #translation #sciencefiction #scifi

“So-So” because there is probably so, so much I don‘t quite understand…amusing though and with the author‘s self-awareness at the end I know that a trip to Wikipedia may be in order.

My #bookspin for August (A Melville House read). 🙌🏼

I read most of this, according to The Serial Reader I‘ve read more than 70% of it but gave up after the chapter of beating up a girl for absolutely no reason.

I bailed less than 100 pages from the end. Somehow this book made an overpopulated sprawling mess of a most excellent concept.

Finally got to use the gift card I got for Mother‘s Day 😊