“The nose knows.”
Part I
One morning, the barber Ivan Yakovlevich discovers a nose in his breakfast bread. Horrified, he recognizes it as the nose of Collegiate Assessor Kovalyov, a frequent client. Panicked, he tries to dispose of it by throwing it into the Neva River, but a policeman catches him in the act.
Part II
Meanwhile, Major Kovalyov wakes up to find his nose missing. Shocked, he rushes out to report the incident. On his way, he spots his nose—now dressed in a uniform of higher rank—walking around St. Petersburg as if it were a person. Kovalyov confronts his nose, demanding it return, but the nose refuses, claiming independence.
Part III
Desperate, Kovalyov seeks help from the police and even places a newspaper ad, but bureaucracy and absurdity thwart his efforts. Later, a policeman returns the nose, which mysteriously reattaches itself to Kovalyov’s face. Life returns to normal, though the bizarre incident leaves the city gossiping.
Key ideas
- Absurdity of social hierarchy and rank obsession.
- Satire of bureaucratic inefficiency.
- Exploration of identity and self-worth.
- Surrealism blending with social critique.
- The fragility of human dignity.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | The Nose (Opera) | Dmitri Shostakovich’s satirical opera adaptation. |
| 2010 | The Nose (Film) | Animated short film by Alexandre Alexeieff. |
| 2020 | The Nose (Play) | Experimental theater production by Barry Kosky. |
Who should read this book?
- Fans of absurdist and satirical literature.
- Readers interested in Russian social critiques.
- Those who enjoy surreal, darkly humorous tales.
- Students of 19th-century literary movements.