Nikolai Leskov is one of those writers who should be way more famous. This collection, whose title story is 'A Devil's Exorcism,' is a perfect introduction. Forget epic battles or grand romance; Leskov's genius is in the small, strange corners of Russian life.

The Story

The main tale follows a minor official, Ryzhov, who's hopelessly in love. To win over his lady, he boasts he can arrange an exorcism for her troubled friend. The problem? He has no idea how. What follows is a frantic, darkly funny scramble to stage the whole thing, hiring a 'specialist' and hoping no one notices it's all a sham. The other stories in the book follow a similar vein—crafty merchants, desperate priests, and clever peasants navigating a world full of absurd rules and human folly.

Why You Should Read It

Leskov has this incredible eye for detail. He doesn't judge his characters, even when they're being foolish or deceitful. He just shows them to you, flaws and all, and you can't help but understand them. The humor is dry and springs from the situations themselves. You're not laughing at the characters, but with them, at the ridiculousness of life. It feels incredibly modern in its understanding of human nature.

Final Verdict

This is for readers who love character-driven stories with a good dose of wit. If you enjoy the ironic twists of O. Henry or the keen social observation of Anton Chekhov, you'll find a kindred spirit in Leskov. It's a short, satisfying read that proves the best stories are often about the messiness of being human, not the monsters under the bed.