The Overcoat by Gogol

Show Notes:

This week, Matt and Cameron explore “The Overcoat,” by Nikolai Gogol. Once called, “the greatest Russian short every written,” by Vladimir Nabokov, this story has been adapted into plays, ballets, and over a dozen movies—all of which are a testament to the power of Gogol’s writing, though none are more so than the text itself. Join us as we jump into the story of Akaky Akakievich’s technicolor coat.

By popular request of my mother, I have censored some cursing in this episode.

Major themes: Petersburg winter, German beaver pelt. unconfirmed foot fetish.

00:00 - If you’re interested in knowing more about the Russian Table of Ranks, here’s a short article about the topic published by James Hassell in the Cambridge Slavic Review.

02:17 - *in the US, I should amend.

21:25 - At least a K-5, actually. I mistakenly conflated civilian ranks and military ranks here (the military rank of General begins at K-4, but according to Hassell, civilian ranks K-5 though K-1 were considered of “general” grade).

The music used in this episode was “soviet march,” by Toasted Tomatoes. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube.

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