Some have called The Overcoat the greatest short story ever; certainly it is one of the best from the Russian tradition. It vies in its own way with The Metamorphosis.
These stories are so short that you really need to read them; I’d hate to give more away than I already have. Gogol is prodigious at the absurd and the everyday; it is not only his wit, but the depth behind his wit, that provokes readers everywhere.
There is more to this man than many people know; I invite you to investigate. He has a way of saying things that you might take for granted, but that in many ways go against the dogma of our modern American society: it isn’t a good idea to maintain a cheerful facade all the time; people feel freer to be themselves when they are assured of rules and boundaries than when they are allowed to do anything with no responsibility; every now and again you need to stop and recharge and rethink- you can’t keep going 100% all the time.
There are many things to stop and think about from a man who dedicated his life to helping future generations develop their potential to the fullest and recognize the connection between all human beings.
You know, when you read a really, really good book, you are quite afraid to read the sequel sometimes, for fear that it will not be as good. Not only is Post Captain as good as Master and Commander, some might say it’s even better.
Most of the book actually takes place on land, hopefully dispelling the myth that these books are only about sailors who like to drink and shoot cannons at other ships. Aubrey and Maturin are spending some time in the countryside of England following the peace agreement which ended the war, but an amazing amount of trouble soon falls upon Cptn. Aubrey, whose prize agent has run off (the modern equivalent of one’s tax preparer running off with money you owe the govt), making Aubrey responsible for an enourmous sum which he does not have. This blow comes at a particularly bad time for Aubrey, who has no ship during the peace and is not earning an income, and who has also fallen in love with a local girl and wishes to marry. To make things even more complicated, he ends up falling in love with another girl as well (oh it’s complicated I tell you ;) ), who has also caught the eye and heart of Dr. Maturin.
Fleeing England, only to arrive in France right before Napolean declares war again, and so forced to flee France incognito, they end up in Maturin’s holdings in Spain before making it back to a port where Aubrey can beg command of a ship, to help pay off his debts. That is only the first half of the book and I will not reveal more, just know that it twists and, yes, there are ships, and battles, and an attack in a dark alleyway, a betrayal, and more lovelorn twists to come. O’Brian sets up the romantic follies especially well (I am not one for romances much), and things are not always what they seem. Indeed, many people are not what they may seem, either.
a couple of quotes, but the entire book is worth quoting, line by line:
”... Oh, wish me joy!”
“Why, so I do,” said Stephen, wincing in that iron grip, “if more joy you can contain- if more felicity will not make your cup overflow. Have you been drinking, Lieutenant X? Pray sit in a chair like a rational being, and do not spring about the room.”
p.199
