The story revolves around a young nobleman who returns to his family's estate after years abroad and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships with the local peasants and nobility. He forms a close bond with a peasant, but their friendship is complicated by the class differences between them. The young nobleman also becomes involved with a beautiful woman from a lower social class, which further complicates his relationships with both the peasant and his own family. As the story unfolds, the young nobleman's actions have unintended consequences that lead to tragic outcomes for those around him.
By Nikolai Gogol · First published 1835 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire, Tragedy