How Nikolay Gogol invented Russian horror Nikolay Gogol invented the horror story – or at least Russian horror. This statement might seem bold, but it’s not far from the truth. As we celebrate his birthday this week, it’s fitting to reflect on how his literary legacy shaped the genre in Russia. The first work that inevitably springs to mind is Gogol’s “Viy,” along with its chilling Soviet adaptation. Let’s set aside the questionable quality of the modern remake; I vividly remember a school tour