“The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovitch Quarrelled with Ivan Nikiforovitch” is the seventh story in the Folio Society’s collection. I finished reading it this afternoon.
These two lifelong friends, suddenly estranged with the aid of a mischievous woman, because of the desire of one for an object hanging up to dry belonging the other rushes along after escalating provocation to a farcical court case conducted in a manner reminiscent of Dickens’s Jarndyce v Jarndyce and conveying in a few sentences the incompetence and delay that occupied our English novelist throughout Bleak House.
Opening with delightfully bucolic description including that of the clothes on the washing line, on which “an old uniform with frayed facings stretched its sleeves out in the air and embraced a brocade blouse” – in the process indicating the presence of the breeze, as the garments detail the uniform.
Such detail is also described later in this metaphor: “in the cupboard which had been turned to marble by ink stains.”
Gogol’s humour is evident throughout this story.
His grasp of the flow of language demonstrates the mindset of the stubborn protagonists who eventually lose track of the cause of their rift.
Peter Sturt’s illustration depicts the provocative action mentioned above.
Very evocative description and sumptuous illustrations.
Thanks very much, Pat
I totally concur
Your wonderful resumés of these stories have piqued my interest in this Gogol!
You would like him, Dale. Thank you very much
I will look into him for sure 🙂
I’ve still not read Gogol. Now I am intrigued
Thanks very much, Rose
Love the title of the story! Gogol’s humor, and word-pics, are fabulous! Ha!
And that illustration is worthy of framing and hanging on the wall to bring daily joy and smiles!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn XX
This story sounds like a must-read!
Thanks very much, Liz
I like the sound of the descriptions in this book, Derrick ????
Thanks very much, Robbie
What a beautiful illustration!
Thank you very much, Anne
It sounds like a great story, but that illustration is fabulous!
Thank you very much, Merril
Terrific illustration.
Thanks very much, Dolly
That’s a truly wonderful illustration
Thank you very much, Gary
The illustration is well done! I am curious about the cage of geese. I like the cat and dog watching the man.
Thank you so much, Lavinia