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Night Before Christmas
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
16 posts | 10 read | 19 to read
One of six beloved Christmas classics in collectible hardcover editions Written in 1831 by the father of Russian literature, this uproarious tale tells of the blacksmith Vakula s battle with the devil, who has stolen the moon and hidden it in his pocket, allowing him to wreak havoc on the village of Dikanka. Both the devil and Vakula are in love with Oksana, the most beautiful girl in Dikanka. Vakula is determined to win her over; the devil, equally determined, unleashes a snowstorm to thwart Vakula s efforts. Zany and mischievous, and drawing inspiration from the folk tales of Gogol s far-flung village in Ukraine, The Night Before Christmas is the basis for many movie and opera adaptations, and is still read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia. Penguin Christmas Classics Give the gift of literature this Christmas. Penguin Christmas Classics honor the power of literature to keep on giving through the ages. The six volumes in the series are not only our most beloved Christmas tales, they also have given us much of what we love about the holiday itself. A Christmas Carol revived in Victorian England such Christmas hallmarks as the Christmas tree, holiday cards, and caroling. The Yuletide yarns of Anthony Trollope popularized throughout the British Empire and around the world the trappings of Christmas in London. The Life and Adventures of Santa Clauscreated the origin story for the presiding spirit of Christmas as we know it.The holiday tales of Louisa May Alcott shaped the ideal of an American Christmas. The Night Before Christmas brought forth some of our earliest Christmas traditions as passed down through folk tales. And The Nutcracker inspired the most famous ballet in history, one seen by millions in the twilight of every year. Beautifully designed hardcovers with foil-stamped jackets, decorative endpapers, and nameplates for personalization in a small trim size that makes them perfect stocking stuffers, Penguin Christmas Classics embody the spirit of giving that is at the heart of our most time-honored stories about the holiday. Collect all six Penguin Christmas Classics: A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensChristmas at Thompson Hall: And Other Christmas Stories by Anthony TrollopeThe Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank BaumA Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories by Louisa May AlcottThe Night Before Christmas by Nikolai GogolThe Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators."
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bookandbedandtea
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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I got up early to try to get some reading done but only got about 3 pages before the hubby got up, too, and started chatting. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

AnnCrystal The life of a reader 😂💝. 4h
23 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Mehso-so

Now this is an unusual tale to read during the festive season. No warmth or holiday cheer in this Christmas classic but thievery, devilry, and lust! Not one character is likeable..maybe that‘s the point? Rather amusing, though. Seems that this holiday tale is traditionally read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia.

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Daisey
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Pickpick

I fit in another Christmas story, but I‘m not quite sure what to say about this one. It seems there were few lessons learned, and it did not fill me with Christmas cheer but I enjoyed it anyway. It‘s interesting to see a Christmas story from a different part of the world, and I‘m hoping to read more stories by Gogol next year.

#Christmas

70 likes1 stack add
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writerlibrarian
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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This started my day with smiles and sunshine even if it's grey outside. I will have chocolate and a book tonight sitting by the fireplace. 🎉🧣
#jolabokaflodswap #Jolabokaflod
@MaleficentBookDragon
@BookishTrish

BookishTrish Enjoy! Happy holidays! 4y
40 likes1 comment
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dgingo
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Thank you, @sprainedbrain for my #JolabokaflodSwap and for the pretty bonus Christmas book! I look forward to reading it, and whatever awaits me under the pretty wrapping paper! Thank you! #SoExcited!

sprainedbrain I‘m glad it finally made it! I couldn‘t resist throwing in the bonus book. Merry Christmas! ❤️ 4y
dgingo @sprainedbrain That was so thoughtful and an extra special surprise! Thank you so much! 🎄🎁 Merry Christmas! (edited) 4y
21 likes2 comments
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writerlibrarian
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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BookishTrish Yaaaaaaaaaaaaasss! 4y
33 likes1 comment
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Sweetkokoro
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Panpan

I don‘t care if this is a “classic” this was weird, boring & not entertaining at all. This is not the tale I have ever been familiar with (I learned that‘s actually a different author) I dont find wives and husbands beating each other entertaining. And the guy gets the self absorbed girl and makes a deal with a devil and unlike most stories with that element nothing bad happened to guy, the devil just gave him what he wanted.
#winterreads #elfies

Bookwormjillk +21 yikes 5y
14 likes1 comment
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Caroline2
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Pickpick

This is great fun!!! Witches, the devil, a vain young woman and a besotted young man, what could go wrong?! 🤷‍♀️ The writing is dry and witty and a delight to read! My first Gogol; Dead Souls has just moved up my TBR pile! 👍🏻 #merryxmas #winterwonderland

Tamra Oh, that sounds fun! 6y
TrishB Sounds good! Hope you and the family have had a lovely day ❤️ 6y
Lcsmcat I read this last Christmas (and Dead Souls year‘s ago.) I think Gogol is so funny! 6y
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Cinfhen That cover makes the book look sooooooo innocent 😂😂I would never expect what lies ahead!! 6y
Caroline2 @Cinfhen yeah, I was surprised too!! 6y
Jee_HookedOnBookz Stacking!! 6y
111 likes5 stack adds6 comments
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Kalalalatja
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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If I remember correctly this cute little book contains a #sleighride through the snowy Russian country side, and it is a great Christmas read!

#WinterWonderland

batsy 😍 6y
mreads Such a pretty cover ❤ 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Pretty edition, and hello bookshelf! ❤️ 6y
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Caroline2 I‘m saving this book for Christmas Eve!! 👍🏻 6y
gradcat It really is a pretty book ❤️🥰 6y
TrishB Gorgeous copy 💕 6y
Kalalalatja @batsy @mreads @erzascarletbookgasm @gradcat @TrishB I just love these Penguin Christmas Classics ❤️ @Caroline2 I did the same last year, it was lovely! 6y
108 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Caroline2
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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These editions are so pretty, I couldn‘t resist them! 😍 plus I‘ve been meaning to read some Gogol for ages! Win win! 👍🏻

LeahBergen 😍😍😍 6y
TrishB They look beautiful 💕 6y
LittleBug They are gorgeous! They‘d make a perfect gift...🤩 6y
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GypsyKat Oh wow, beautiful! 😍 6y
ephemeralwaltz 😍😍😍 6y
Jee_HookedOnBookz Omg they're gorgoeus!!! 6y
Reviewsbylola Those are amazing! 😍 6y
tracey38 They're so pretty. 6y
111 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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sprainedbrain
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Pickpick

I loved this little Russian Christmas tale... it‘s actually really funny. I especially enjoyed the very busy and popular village witch, although as a 41-year-old person, I could have done without this line:

“Vakula‘s mother was no more than forty years old and was neither good nor bad looking (though, of course, it‘s difficult to look good at forty).”

Speak for yourself, Gogol! 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinfhen Was this your final #booked2018?!?! 6y
sprainedbrain @Cinfhen No, one more to go! I‘m reading this one for #NewIn2018. I‘ve actually read a bunch of new books this year and could use one of them, but I picked this one last year for this prompt and I‘m sticking to it. 😂 6y
Tamra 😝 6y
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Cinfhen Wow!!! You‘re a stickler!!! 🙌🏻❤️ 6y
vivastory Have you read 6y
vivastory It's hilarious 6y
sprainedbrain @vivastory I haven‘t yet, but I‘m sure it doesn‘t surprise you that it‘s on my list. #1001books 😃 6y
vivastory Yeah, it's really short. I think Dead Souls is also on the list. I think I will make a point of reading that next year. 6y
sprainedbrain @vivastory this was my first Gogol, but I like the humor. Looking forward to more. 6y
Peddler410 @sprainedbrain I hear ya! I‘m read a book aloud to my daughter in which 42 is considered incredibly old for the aunt — i‘m 46 😳 6y
133 likes6 stack adds10 comments
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sprainedbrain
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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It‘s 2 a.m. and I can‘t sleep... so I‘m having a cordial cherry and starting this cute little book.

I picked it last December for my #FeaturesAHoliday book for #Booked2018 and I don‘t have the slightest idea what it‘s about. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

rockpools Love that cover! 6y
JennyM What a gorgeous cover. Hope you get some sleep 💤 6y
LauraBeth Hope you fell asleep! 6y
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batsy 😍 6y
Daisey I have this in my list of holiday books as well from when I looked up another book by Gogol, but I doubt I will get to it this year. I‘ll look forward to your review. 6y
Cinfhen That cover is so lovely!! Hope it‘s good 6y
144 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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JenlovesJT47
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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I was supposed to send the #StuffedStockingSwap on Saturday but my hubby had to work. It‘s finally going out this morning, many apologies! It should get there in time. Also going out today is my #Nightmare4Christmas swap and the next #Horrorpost book to @Ashley_Nicoletto - a thousand apologies for being late, it‘s been ready to go for two weeks! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Sigh.

#catsoflitsy
#Chipper
#bookmail

Ashley_Nicoletto I‘m always always also running late. No apologies necessary. I work really long hours and the post office is always closed by the time I‘m off. We all do our best. 😘 6y
JenlovesJT47 @Ashley_Nicoletto 😘 glad it‘s not just me!! 6y
Avanders 🎄♥️❄️💙☃️ 6y
87 likes3 comments
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JamieArc
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Today is the last day to sign up! I swore off swaps after learning I can‘t control myself and spend way too much money, but this one is so simple. See @MaleficentBookDragon ‘s original post for details. #jolabokaflodswap

AmyG I like the simplicity of this one, too. It will probably be my last as I‘ve not recieved a few swaps. I‘m throwing in the towel. :( (edited) 6y
Mitch @AmyG oh no - that‘s so sad. I love connecting with people through the swaps- maybe 2019 will be a better year xxxxx 6y
AmyG @Mitch Is what it is. I have had amazing swaps and I am so grateful for them and the wonderful people I connected with. 6y
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gradcat @AmyG Wow! Does that happen a lot? 6y
AmyG @grandcat No. i have done swaps for a year 1/2. Alot of them. I just finally got a bit unlucky. Maybe they will come...late. 🤞🏻 (edited) 6y
catiewithac I thought the same! 6y
30 likes6 comments
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Lindsy
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Waiting for the family to wake up 🎄🎁

Jas16 So beautiful 7y
Louise How magical! 7y
emilyhaldi 🎁✨❤️ 7y
11 likes3 comments
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Kalalalatja
Night Before Christmas | Nikolai Gogol
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Lots of #christmassyreads to get me in the Christmas spirit 🎄

#seasonsreadings2016

I-read-and-eat Pretty 😀💖 8y
PrincessLibrarian These are beautiful! 8y
respekt1111 I'm digging those covers😂👍 8y
See All 6 Comments
raelaschoenherr Wow, I just love those covers! 8y
Eyelit Such pretty covers!! 8y
Kalalalatja @I-read-and-eat @PrincessLibrarian @respekt1111 @raelaschoenherr @Eyelit thank you! I love Christmas books with pretty covers 😄 8y
52 likes1 stack add6 comments