Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol (1835): A Review

Title: Diary of a Madman

Author: Nikolai Gogol

Publication Year: 1835

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: ---

Source: Ebook @everand_us

The title "Diary of a Madman" is less a suggestion and more a blaring siren, announcing the delightful unraveling within. Gogol doesn't tiptoe into madness; he cannonballs in, using language, content, and the very elastic nature of time to mirror the protagonist's delightful descent. It's a darkly comedic freefall into insanity, feeling less like a study and more like a gleeful, untamed ride.

It's worth noting that alongside the portrayal of madness, the story also reflects various forms of societal prejudice prevalent at the time. The narrative doesn't shy away from showcasing racism, misogyny, and sexism, which can be jarring for a modern reader. It's interesting how these elements are woven into the protagonist's distorted perception of reality.

Interestingly, Gogol seems content to let the madness simply exist, a raw, unfiltered chaos. He doesn't bother with the psychological autopsy that writers like Poe might have performed, meticulously labeling each symptom. Instead, he lets us chuckle nervously, unsure if we should be reaching for a straitjacket or applauding the sheer audacity of it all. And the fact that this pre-dates peak-Poe masterpieces? It's like witnessing the birth of a beautiful, slightly unhinged beast.

Quotation 1. For some little time past I hear and see things which no other man has heard and seen.

Quotation 2. I can also work my way up. I am just forty-two - an age when a man's real career generally begins.

Quotation 3. I think that it is one of the most refined joys of this world to interchange thoughts, feelings, and impressions.