Nikolai Gogol, an early 19th century Ukrainian-born Russian novelist, humorist, and dramatist, considered the father of modern Russian realism, created some of the most important works of Russian literature. Gogol satirized the corrupt bureaucracy of the Russian Empire through the scrupulous and scathing realism of his writing, which would ultimately lead to his exile. Among some of his finest works are his short stories. A representative selection of Gogol’s short stories are presented in this volume. The following stories can be found herein: “The Fair of Sorotchinetz”, “St. John’s Eve”, “An Evening in May”, “Old-Fashioned Farmers”, “The Viy”, “The Night of Christmas Eve”, “How the Two Ivans Quarrelled”, “The Mysterious Portrait”, “The Diary of a Madman”, “The Nose”, “The Carriage”, and “The Overcoat”. This edition is includes a biographical afterword.