Dead Souls
by Nikolai Gogol
Russian • Public Domain • Free to stream
Dead Souls, published in 1842, is Gogol's comic masterpiece and one of the most original novels in Russian literature. The mysterious and smooth-talking Chichikov arrives in a provincial Russian town and begins purchasing "dead souls" — serfs who have died but are still registered as alive on census lists — in an elaborate scheme to mortgage them for profit. As Chichikov moves from estate to estate, Gogol unveils a magnificent gallery of absurd, corrupt, and deeply human characters. The novel is a biting satire on Russian bureaucracy, greed, and the soul of a nation — wickedly funny and utterly unforgettable. Stream free, no account required.
About the book: Dead Souls
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol was first published in 1842. The plot for the novel was suggested to the author by his friend Alexander Pushkin. Gogol intended the work to be the first part of a three-volume project, but he burned the manuscript of the second part shortly before his death.
The novel chronicles the travels and adventures of Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov and the people whom he encounters. These individuals typify the Russian middle aristocracy of the time. The plot relies on dead serfs who are still accounted for in property registers, as Chichikov attempts to acquire these dead souls as part of a get-rich-quick scheme. The book is a satire of nineteenth-century Russian bureaucracy.
Gogol himself saw his work as an epic poem in prose, and within the book characterised it as a poem in prose. Modern editions of the novel include what survives from part two, as reconstructed by editors from Gogol's notebooks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dead Souls free to listen to?
Yes, Dead Souls is completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, and no ads required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote Dead Souls?
Dead Souls was written by Nikolai Gogol.
Is Dead Souls in the public domain?
Yes, Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is Dead Souls to listen to?
Dead Souls takes approximately 10 hours to listen to in full.
When was Dead Souls written?
Dead Souls was first published in 1842. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates Dead Souls?
Dead Souls uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
Can I download Dead Souls?
No download is needed. Dead Souls streams directly in your browser — no app, no account, no signup required. Just press play.
What genre is Dead Souls?
Dead Souls is classic literature. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.