Gogol's Coat

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

There once was a poor lad named Gogol who worked all day copying
alphabets. Although Gogol enjoyed his work, he was often tormented by a
fellow employee named Ravinsky, who mocked him for his serious nature
and played pranks on Gogol whenever he could. Gogol worked very hard
but, because he was only an Alphabet Copier Third Class, he didn’t
earn much.

One cold winter day, Gogol realizes that he needs a new coat or he will
freeze to death. The tailor makes him a fine coat but it costs the young
copier his entire life’s savings. Gogol is pleased with his new
purchase and proudly shows it off at work. Everyone, except Ravinsky, is
happy for him. That night, as Gogol walks home all alone, he is mugged
on a dark bridge and his beautiful coat is stolen.

This story is based partly on the real life of Nikolai Gogol and partly
on a short story the Russian author wrote over a century-and-a-half ago.
The book’s rich-toned oil illustrations, by self-taught artist Regolo
Ricci, are captivating; some panels wriggle with grotesque Victorian
characters, while others have a classic Christmas-card ambience. Cary
Fagan’s story, however, has a promising beginning but a painfully
obvious conclusion. There are no plot twists, just a sudden drop at the
end. Gogol’s Coat is recommended because of its outstanding
illustrations, but with reservations because of its predictable story.