Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Overcoat

By: Nikolai Gogol
Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £6.99

Buy Now for £6.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

The writer who did most to establish prose as a force in Russian literary culture was Nikolai Gogol. Gogol's example combined with the pronouncements of the literary critics of the period, established prose as the literary medium of the future. Fyodor Dostoevsky is supposed to have said, referring to himself and his fellow Realists, "We have all come out from under Gogol's 'Overcoat'".
Public Domain (P)1981 Jimcin Co.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Overcoat cover art
The Setting Sun cover art
The Flowers of Buffoonery cover art
Dead Souls cover art
The Horror at Oakdeene and Others cover art
Around the World In 80 Days cover art
Doctor Marigold cover art
The Sherlock Holmes Collection II cover art
Anna of the Five Towns cover art
Sketches by Boz cover art
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them cover art
The Old Wives Tale cover art
The Sensible Necktie and Other Stories of Sherlock Holmes cover art
Hard Times cover art
A Christmas Carol cover art
The Colour of Magic cover art

Editor reviews

Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat", first published in 1842, remains to this day one of the most influential works of Russian literature ever to be written. This renowned short story follows protagonist Akaky Akakievich on a tragicomic quest first for a new and very fine overcoat, and later, for a revenge of sorts after misfortune befalls this poor clerk and his beautiful coat.

Actor Walter Zimmerman has a particularly sharp and interesting style of narration, and a very strong ear for tone, resulting in an especially subtle and nuanced performance of this classic piece.

Critic reviews

"This story ( The Overcoat), one of Gogol's most famous is skillfully narrated to reflect the author's frustration with civil service and the plight of the poor, and will evoke an emotional response among listeners." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Overcoat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking ...

I have just got into Russian literature and The Overcoat was the first talking book I got on this genre and the story just kept me totally engaged throughout. I have read a fair bit of English and American literature and I can only put it on a par with Steinbeck and his 'Cannery Row' for its beauty of insight into the human condition.

It is a fantastic book and really makes you ponder over people, life and detail.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Distracting echo

There is an echo to this which is extremely distracting - a shame as the story is good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!