An ingenious reflection on literary production through the work of Nikolai Gogol that is, in turn, an illuminating reading about Nabokov's own writing processes.

A Russian genius of the 20th century writes about a Russian genius of the 19th century. Nabokov approaches the figure and work of Gogol with insight and erudition. He outlines his life, places it in the context of Russian literature and, when addressing his literary production, focuses above all on his three masterpieces: The Inspector, Dead Souls and The Overcoat. His conclusion is that Gogol's superlative literature is based not so much on the arguments of his books as on his handling of language and form. Nabokov gives an illuminating reading of what he considers "the strangest prose poet that Russia has ever produced." And through the analysis of the texts of his compatriot, he reflects on aesthetic approaches and a way of understanding literature that are what he claims and uses in his own narrative. Nabokov the essayist complements and enriches Nabokov the novelist.

«Nabokov's wit, irony and insight turn this text into a parade of satisfaction for intelligent people... Genius and figure. And also two in one: Gogol and Nabokov. An offer for gourmets» (José María Guelbenzu, El País).