Home Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2 [Dead Souls]

"Home Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2 [Dead Souls]" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol chronicles the travels and adventures of Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov and the people whom he encounters. These people typify the Russian middle aristocracy of the time. Chichikov arrives in a small town and turns on the charm to woo key local officials and landowners. He reveals little about his past, or his purpose, as he sets about carrying out his bizarre and mysterious plan to acquire "dead souls."