How the Two Ivans Quarrelled

I've ben meaning to read Gogol ever since reading The Namesake, and this lovely Melville House novella seemed like a good way to jump in.

I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS. I mean, I expected the skewering of aristocratic Russian society, sure. But I did not expect it to involve this almost slapstick level of absurdity. When my over-the-top cackling drew raised eyebrows from the rest of my family and I tried to read some choice bits to them to explain, I was crying and gasping with laughter.

Of course, the pitch of that absurdity peaks fairly early in the book, then slowly simmers down to shaking-my-head levels, but all the better to drive home the satire and class criticism, rather than leave it feeling just absurd.

I think it's safe to say I'll show more be seeking out more Gogol in the future. show less

On the surface, it seems like a pretty silly premise: life-long neighbors and friends arguing because one calls the other a "goose." However, it doesn't take long to see that the novella offers a commentary on life and the way we humans, to our own detriment, tend to make mountains out of mole hills. How many relationships have been ruined because of an ill word quickly spoken but not soon forgotten? This isn't my favorite Gogol by any means, but, like all of his other material, it was still worth reading and thinking about.

Two respectable landowners and best friends fall into a petty quarrel over a trivial insult. Their dispute escalates absurdly, involving hilariously worded lawsuits, endless bureaucracy, and the ridiculousness of social vanity in small-town society. Gogol throws in a lawsuit stealing pig for good measure.

This novella about two long time friends in early 19th century Russia was written in 1835 and recently re-released by Melville House Publishing as part of its "Art of the Novella" series. Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforovitch are next door neighbors, long time friends and respected citizens in the town of Mirgorod. During one of their daily meetings a simple conversation turns ugly, as Ivan Nikiforovitch calls his neighbor a name that deeply offends him. The situtation escalates to a war of words, followed by actions by both Ivans that deepen the animosity each feels toward the other. The local authorities and townsfolk are caught up in the drama, particularly after each brings a lawsuit against the other, and a plot is hatched to bring show more the two old friends together before their cases come to trial.

I found How the Two Ivans Quarrelled to be a quick and enjoyable read, one filled with good humor and entertaining characters, which I think that everyone would enjoy. show less

I’ve reviewed four Gogol short stories, including this, in a GR review, HERE.

sympathiek. De twee goede vrienden - uitersten van de Russische landadel - die om een bagatel elkaar naar Siberië wensen kunnen niet anders dan op de lachspieren werken. De stijl van Gogol, boordevol knipoogjes en trucjes waar meer dan honderd jaar later menig postmodernist het eigen blazoen mee op zal poetsen, is ook nu nog fris en luchtig. In elke zin (zelfs in de Engels vertaling) klinkt het Rusland, zoals we dat Rusland liefhebben - het negentiende eeuwse Rusland van Tolstok, Gogol, Tsjechov, Dostojevski, Poesjkin. Geen ander Rusland zal me ooit nog weten raken. Wellicht. Het spel met de namen van Ivan Ivanovich en Ivan Nikiforovitsch, de voortdurende herhaling van die beide namen (en de introductie van de andere Ivan Ivanovich) is show more auditieve honing voor wie graag luidop en met bulderende stem leest.

Maar het einde is een slordigheid, dat of te vroeg komt of achterwege had mogen blijven. Het maakt van een maatschappelijke satire haast een moralistisch fabeltje. Iets dat nog ternauwernood aan de vergetelheid onttrokken wordt door de naam van diens auteur.

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