It's unusual to find a literary anthology (that are not mysteries) from over 100 years ago. These are a little uneven in quality, but the author is well regarded for his longer works. This may best for speculative fiction and even scifi fans. Those seeking straight literary fiction should probably move on.

Thanks very much for the review copy!!

I adored Gogol's Dead Souls when I read it a few years ago, but I'd never gotten around to picking up any of his other works, so of course I requested this short story collection straightaway when I saw it on NetGalley. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I appreciated Gogol's clever blend of reality with the fantastical, particularly in the earlier tales, and all the stories were imaginative and memorable in their own way. The translation reads smoothly, without any jarring, and the collection provided me with two nights' pleasant, easy reading. I had great fun with these stories and recommend them to fans of short stories with a hint of magical realism and those who enjoy the Russian classics. 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.