"The Overcoat" by Nikolai Vassilyevich Gogol

"The Overcoat" is the title of a short story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nikolai Gogol, published in 1842. The story and its author have had great influence on Russian literature, thus spawning Fyodor Dostoevsky's famous quote: "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'." The story has been adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations.

Here's the link to the full text of "The Overcoat".

http://www.horrormasters.com/Text/a0857.pdf

An article in today's Wall Steert Journal about Nikolai Gogoal. Courtsey Wall Street Journal.

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The Rich Fabric of Invention

Gogol's 'The Overcoat' has weathered the test of time

By WILLIAM AMELIA

In his short, tormented life, the Russian novelist Nikolai Vassilyevich Gogol (1809-1852) managed to write for the ages. His oeuvre is huge. Among the familiar masterworks are "Dead Souls," the first great epic Russian novel; "The Inspector General," a dramatic success; and volumes of Ukrainian and Petersburg tales, rich in folklore and culture with a froth of the supernatural. He is regarded as one of the major influences in the development of realism in Russian literature.

But it is "The Overcoat," the last story that Gogol wrote—perhaps his finest and most famous—that particularly characterizes his legacy. It is a remarkable piece of literary art, displaying Gogol's gift of caricature and imaginative invention. With "The Overcoat," Gogol introduced the short story as a literary form in Russia, providing a new model for other writers of the time. No one said it better than Dostoevsky: "We all came out of Gogol's overcoat."

Gogol, a sickly and delicate infant, was born 200 years ago to parents who were among the countless members of the petty gentry in the Ukraine. Educated at boarding school, he was a poor student but a good mimic. At age 19, he set off for St. Petersburg to make his career and, once there, met Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet. Three years later, in 1830, he published his first collection of Ukrainian tales, "Evenings on a Farm in Dikanka," which Pushkin was the first to praise. Gogol told Pushkin how his publisher had gone to the shop where the collection was being printed and found the typesetters all laughing merrily as they set the book. Gogol had found an audience.

Through his stories, which contain multitudes, Gogol is principally perceived as a champion of the poor and downtrodden, a writer with an increasingly moralistic point of view. He gave literary life to the "little man," usually a minor official crushed by an insensitive administrative system. This is the theme of "The Overcoat," and Gogol's pathetic little man is Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, an insignificant copying clerk, wholly dedicated to his work though little appreciated.

The prevalent theme of alienation is closely tied to the story's rendering of the human condition. Akaky has no close friends and is so alienated that he is virtually unable to communicate. He merely wants to copy. He is the subject of derision from his fellow clerks, which he accepts without struggling against it. Akaky's only utterance is poignant: "Let me be. Why do you offend me?" (The translation I use throughout this essay is that of Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky in the "Collected Tales" published by Everyman's Library.)

Akaky lives frugally on 400 rubles a year, his only dream to acquire an overcoat to replace the threadbare, irreparable garment he wears against the St. Petersburg winters. He needs a sum equal to one-fifth of that annual income to buy the new coat, and he scrimps and denies himself to obtain the funds. With the one-eyed, drunken tailor Petrovich—a marvelous character who provides the story with some semblance of humor—he selects fine cloth. But there are no perfect moments in Akaky's life, as he must settle for a collar of cat fur instead of marten.

On the day Petrovich delivers the completed coat, Akaky's fellow clerks arrange a party to celebrate the event. He is uncomfortable in the social gathering at his colleague's house and soon leaves in his new coat, which he finds on the floor. On the way home through an unfamiliar district he is attacked, brutally beaten and left unconscious. The longed-for coat—in his possession less than a day—is stolen. The police are ineffective and a fellow clerk advises that he must seek help from an "important personage." His appeal to such an eminence is met with cruel intimidation and summarily ignored. Without hope and vulnerable, he falls gravely ill and days later dies. It is a tale both simple and philosophical, though with a difference. The story has, in Gogol's words, a "fantastic ending"—one of spectral retribution and redemption.

Akaky returns as a phantom and has his revenge. He prowls the dark streets of St. Petersburg, terrifying people and stripping them of their coats. He delights in robbing the "important personage" of his overcoat. The once overbearing personage, now stricken with horror and remorse, redeems himself. The story ends as Akaky's ghost frightens a policeman away with "such a fist, as is not to be found even among the living," and, seemingly taller and more robust, disappears "completely into the darkness of the night."

Some of Gogol's contemporaries interpreted the robbery of the important personage's overcoat by Akaky's ghost as a fate awaiting the unrepentant Russian ruling class—a most prophetic speculation.

"The Overcoat" was begun in 1839, redrafted until 1841. A year later a four-volume edition of Gogol's collected writings was published and "The Overcoat" was included in the third volume. Although Gogol was to live another decade, his creative life—which lasted but 12 years—was virtually over.

The story persists in popular culture, having been adapted in a variety of stage and movie interpretations. Gogol's other works are present in more than 35 films, the most recent being "Taras Bulba," released this year.

Gogol was deeply sensitive, and criticism of his writing from peers drained his spirit. Turning to religion, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1848. Upon his return, greatly depressed, he fell under the influence of the intolerant, fanatical priest Matthew Konstantinovsky. He subjected himself to purgings and bloodletting and a final, fatal fast. He died on May 4, 1852, at age 43, and was buried in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery.

Vladimir Nabokov allowed that the real Gogol was found only in "The Overcoat." "When he tried to write in the Russian tradition," Nabokov said, "he lost all trace of talent. But in the immortal 'The Overcoat' he let himself go and became the greatest artist that Russia has yet produced."

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny by Robin Sharma

Readers, I read this book during my recent rip to India. An interesting book which makes you ponder about how we lead our lives. A would definitely recommend to read it.

Robin Sharma is one of the world’s top experts on leadership and personal success. He is the author of 10 major international bestsellers, including The Greatness Guide and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Robin is the CEO of Sharma Leadership International Inc., a global training firm whose clients include GE, Nike, FedEx, NASA, Unilever, Microsoft, BP, IBM, The Harvard Business School and Yale University.

Here's couple of detailed book reviews.

http://zenhabits.net/2007/03/book-review-the-monk-who-sold-his-ferrari/

http://www.gurutracking.com/robin-sharma/monk-ferrari-mindmapsummary

The Game of Life by Florence Scovel Shinn

One of my friend have suggested this book as highly inspirational to her.

"Its a lovely book. You will find all the answers that you have been seeking throughout your life. This book will give you an insight as to why y0ur life has been the way it has, why certain areas of y0ur life have not worked upto your expectations till now & how now you can change them in your favour. Please do read it if you want to change your life."

I found the link to the entire text of the book for our benefit.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nth/shinn/gol/index.htm

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich is one of the best-selling books of all time. Hill's works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is one of Hill's hallmark expressions. This is a motivational book written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by a suggestion by American billionaire Andrew Carnegie. It was published in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The text of Think and Grow Rich! is founded on Hill's earlier work, The Law of Success, the result of more than twenty years of research based on Hill's close association with a large number of individuals who achieved great wealth during their lifetimes.

At Andrew Carnegie's bidding, Hill studied the characteristics of these achievers and developed 15 "laws" of success intended to be applied by anybody to achieve success. Think and Grow Rich! condenses these laws further and provides the reader with 13 principles in the form of a philosophy of personal achievement.

Reflected in these principles is the importance of cultivating a burning desire, faith, autosuggestion, and persistence in the attainment of one's goals. Hill also discusses the importance of overcoming many of the common fears that can adversely affect one's thinking and potential.

In his introduction, Hill refers to the "Carnegie Secret", a conception which he reports is the foundation of all success and appears to be the premise of the book. Hill promises to indirectly describe this "secret" in every chapter, but never states it plainly, believing the use of the secret is only available to those who possess a "readiness" for it, a disposition Hill describes as essential to the concept itself.

Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian L. Weiss

Friends/Readers,

This is another fabulous book which was suggested by my wife to me few years ago.

In this book, Many Lives, Many Masters, Dr. Brian Weiss vividly describes the insights of a young patient named Catherine. She came to important realizations about the circumstances of her life today and the intricate thread of previous beings within her experience.

As a born Hindu, I am aware and subconciously have believed in reincarnation. This book is an exceptional account and scientific proof of reincarnation.

Here's a good link for the detailed book review.

http://hinduism.about.com/od/reincarnation/fr/weissbook.htm

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Things Fall Apart is a 1959 English-language novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, and one of the first African novels written in English to receive global critical acclaim.

http://wikisummaries.org/Things_Fall_Apart

Bhagavad Gita

Friends,

Many of you have suggested / asked, why "Bhagavad Gita" is not one of my inspirational book. A short answer, I haven't read it yet. I am sure once I read it and more importantly understand it, it could be the best inspirational book of all time.

There have been hundereds of commenteries written on Bhagavd Gita. I would like to draw from the reader's experiences in terms of their recommendation for a particular commentary.

Manish.

From Wikipedia.

Bhagavad gita - The discourse on the Bhagavad Gita begins before the start of the climactic battle at Kurukshetra. It begins with the Pandava prince Arjuna, as he becomes filled with doubt on the battlefield. Realizing that his enemies are his own relatives, beloved friends and revered teachers, he turns to his charioteer and guide, Krishna, for advice.

In summary the main philosophical subject matter of the Bhagavad-gita is the explanation of five basic concepts or "truths":

Ishvara (The Supreme Controller)
Jiva (Living beings/the soul)
Prakrti (Matter)
Karma (Action)
Kala (Time)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Here's a suggestion which has come from many friends as a highly inspirational book. I haven't read the book. I intend to read it as soon as I get a chance.

Meanwhile, I would like to hear from the rest about this book, if they had a chance to read it.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

Piscine "Pi" Molitor Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry, explores issues of religion and spirituality from an early age and survives 227 days shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean. "Pi" is the narrator and main character of the story. The story is told as a narrative when Pi is much older and living in Canada. He recounts the story of his life and thus the 227 day journey on a lifeboat when his boat sinks.

Here's the link to the summary of the book for a quick review.

http://www.wikisummaries.org/Life_of_Pi

Enjoy.

Manish.

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

One of my good friend suggested that the following book has been inspirational to her.

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Prophet is a book of 26 poetic essays written in English in 1923 by the Lebanese-American artist, philosopher and writer Kahlil Gibran. In the book, the prophet Al-mustafa who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for 12 years is about to board a ship which will carry him home. He is stopped by a group of people, with whom he discusses many issues of life and the human condition. The book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.

I have had the chance to read this book many years ago and had enjoyed it. This is probably the best known work of Khalil Gibran. A collection of 26 poetic essays on various topics. A great book.

I am privileged to have a Gujarati translation of this book which belonged to my maternal great grandfather.

Here's the link to the entire text.

http://leb.net/~mira/works/prophet/prophet.html

Manish.

Richard Bach

Here's are couple of books which have inspired my friends.

Illusions, The Adventures Of A Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The novel tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a seagull who is bored with the daily squabbles over food and seized by a passion for flight. He pushes himself, learning everything he can about flying, until finally his unwillingness to conform results in his expulsion from his flock. An outcast, he continues to learn, becoming increasingly pleased with his abilities as he leads an idyllic life.

One day, Jonathan is met by two gulls who take him to a "higher plane of existence" (reminiscent of the beliefs of Chinese, in that there is no heaven but a better world found through perfection of knowledge), where he meets other gulls who love to fly. He discovers that his sheer tenacity and desire to learn make him "a gull in a million". Jonathan befriends the wisest gull in this new place, named Chiang, who takes him beyond his previous learning, teaching him how to move instantaneously to anywhere else in the universe. The secret, Chiang says, is to "begin by knowing that you have already arrived".

Not satisfied with his new life, Jonathan returns to Earth to find others like him, to bring them his learning and to spread his love for flight. His mission is successful, gathering around him others who have been outlawed for not conforming. Ultimately, one of his students, Fletcher Lynd Seagull, becomes a teacher in his own right and Jonathan leaves to continue his learning.

Manish.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

During my college days I had come across Ayn Rand's writings which had a great influence on me. In particular, I loved Atlas Shrugged. The Fountainhead is also a master piece.

Ayn Rand believed that individuals should choose their values and actions solely by reason. According to Rand, the individual "must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life."

Ayn's philosophy, sometimes difficult for me to digest and mostly opposite of what society and religions preach, is very thought provoking.

Here's the link to the book.

http://atlasshrugged.com/book/

Manish.

The Story of My Experiments with Truth: Auto Biography of Mahatma Gandhi

One of my good friend suggested me to read the following book.

The Story of My Experiments with Truth: Auto Biography of Mahatma Gandhi

I have had the chance to read this book in original Gujarati version many years ago, "Satya Na Prayogo". I have read a few auto biographies and two things which sets this book apart is its, 1) simplicity of language, 2) candid articulation of his personal experiences and the learnings from it. A gem of a read.

The english translation of the book, An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments With Truth was done my Mahadev Desai.

Manish.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Seven years ago, this book was strongly recommended to me by a good friend, who later became my better half. A fabulous book which helped me crystalize my thoughts during one of the most difficult time of my life, read a few omen and pursue my dreams.

Here's the crux of the book.

Manish.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alchemist, is a bestseller that was first published in Brazil in 1988 and is the most famous work of author Paulo Coelho. It is a symbolic story that urges its readers to follow their dreams.

Being able to observe and read omens is a key motif throughout the book.

The Personal Legend is one's reason for living; essentially, one's goal in life. Everyone in the world has a Personal Legend; by reaching his/hers, he/she adds to the Soul of the World, or its purity.

Here's the link to the summary of the book for a quick review.

http://www.wikisummaries.org/The_Alchemist

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Four years ago, this book was strongly recommended to me by one of my good friend. I had read it in one sitting during one of my transatlantic flight. A fabulous book for someone like me who grew up believing that "growing up is experiencing and trancending".

Here's the crux of the book.

Manish.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Siddhartha is a novel by Hermann Hesse which deals with the spiritual journey of an Indian man called Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha.

"Siddhartha" means "he who has attained his goals" or "every wish fulfilled". The Buddha's name, before his renunciation, was Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later the Buddha. The main character of Siddhartha in the book is not the same person as the Buddha, who in the book goes by the name "Gautama".

Experience is the aggregate of conscious events experienced by a human in life – it connotes participation, learning and perhaps knowledge. Understanding is comprehension and internalization. In Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, experience is shown as the best way to approach understanding of reality and attain enlightenment – Hesse’s crafting of Siddhartha’s journey shows that understanding is attained not through scholastic, mind-dependent methods, nor through immersing oneself in the carnal pleasures of the world and the accompanying pain of samsara; however, it is the totality of these experiences that allow Siddhartha to attain understanding.

Thus, the individual events are meaningless when considered by themselves – Siddhartha’s stay with the samanas and Siddartha’s immersion in the world of love and business do not lead to nirvana, but yet they cannot be considered detractions, for every action and event that is undertaken and happens to Siddhartha helps him to achieve understanding. The sum of these events is thus experience.