Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Crocodile is a classic Russian short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This work by the great Russian bard is an unusual but amusing tale about a man swallowed by a crocodile with a serious message about economics and communism. The story relates the events that befall one Ivan Matveich when he, his wife Elena Ivanovna, and the narrator visit the Arcade to see a crocodile that has been put on display by a German entrepreneur. After teasing the crocodile, Ivan Matveich is swallowed alive. He finds the inside of the crocodile to be quite comfortable, and the animal's owner refuses to allow it to be cut open, in spite of the pleas from Elena Ivanovna. Ivan Matveich urges the narrator to arrange for the crocodile to be purchased and cut open, but the owner asks so much for it that nothing is done. As the story ends Elena Ivanovna is contemplating divorce and Ivan Matveich resolves to carry on his work as a civil servant as best he can from inside the crocodile. The liberal press declared the story a low parody of the fate of the Russian socialist writer Nikolai Chernyshevsky, who wrote his novel What Is to Be Done? and numerous letters while confined in Peter and Paul Fortress. Dostoyevsky denied that the similarities were intentional.

Notes from the Underground is recounted from the perspective of a narrator who describes himself as sick, spiteful, and unattractive; he styles himself ""the Underground Man."" His thoughts and his moods veer unpredictably as he reflects on himself and his world; on past, present, and future; on the folly of human idealism and the reality of human squalor and degradation. The intellectual and psychological power of the book are deeply rooted in the conflicts and contradictions that afflict the narrator—many of which seem to have afflicted Dostoevsky himself for much of the 1860s. Once attracted to idealistic and utopian notions, he now found himself repelled by them. A passionate advocate of freedom, he had little confidence that humans could use freedom for the good. The Underground Man is not a unified self, but a self-contradictory character, like his author. His bewildering complexity and relentless self-analysis make him one of the most memorable and thought-provoking protagonists of modern literature. As well as the text itself and an informative introduction, this new edition includes a selection of background documents (also newly translated), which help set the work in the cultural and intellectual context out of which it emerged.

The unnamed narrator of the novel, a former government official, has decided to retire from the world and lead a life of inactivity and contemplation. His fiercely bitter, cynical and witty monologue ranges from general observations and philosophical musings to memorable scenes from his own life, including his obsessive plans to exact revenge on an officer who has shown him disrespect and a dramatic encounter with a prostitute. Seen by many as the first existentialist novel and showcasing the best of Dostoevsky's dry humour, Notes from Underground was a pivotal moment in the development of modern literature and has inspired countless novelists, thinkers and film-makers.

After spending several years in a sanatorium recovering from an illness that caused him to lose his memory and ability to reason, Prince Myshkin arrives in St Petersburg and is at once confronted with the stark realities of life in the Russian capital – from greed, murder and nihilism to passion, vanity and love. Mocked for his childlike naivety yet valued for his openness and understanding, Prince Myshkin finds himself entangled with two women in a position he cannot bring himself to resolve. Dostoevsky, who wrote that in the character of Prince Myshkin he hoped to portray a “wholly virtuous man”, shows the workings of the human mind and our relationships with others in all their complex and contradictory nature. Populated by an unforgettable cast of characters, from the beautiful, self-destructive Nastasya Filippovna to the dangerously obsessed Rogozhin and the radical student Ippolit, The Idiot is one of Dostoevsky’s most personal and intense works of fiction.

The House of the Dead: Or Prison Life in Siberia is a non-fiction book written by the renowned Russian author, Fyodor Dostoevsky. The book is a memoir of Dostoevsky's experiences during his four-year imprisonment in a Siberian prison camp. The book provides a first-hand account of the harsh and brutal conditions of life in a Siberian prison camp during the mid-19th century. Dostoevsky describes the daily struggles of the prisoners, including their physical and mental suffering, as well as the corruption and abuses of power that were rampant within the prison system. The House of the Dead also explores the psychological effects of imprisonment on the prisoners, as well as their attempts to maintain their humanity and dignity in the face of extreme adversity. Dostoevsky's own experiences in the prison camp are woven throughout the book, providing a personal and intimate perspective on the realities of life in Siberia. Overall, The House of the Dead is a compelling and insightful account of one of the most brutal prison systems in history, and a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1911 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Poor Folk and The Gambler is a collection of two novellas by the renowned Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. The first novella, Poor Folk, tells the story of a young couple, Makar and Varvara, who are struggling to make ends meet in 19th century St. Petersburg. The story is told through a series of letters between the two, and explores themes of poverty, social class, and the human condition. The second novella, The Gambler, follows the story of Alexei Ivanovich, a young tutor who becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of roulette at a German casino. As Alexei becomes increasingly obsessed with the thrill of gambling, he risks everything he has, including his own life, in pursuit of the ultimate win. Both novellas are classic examples of Dostoevsky's signature style, which blends psychological depth with social commentary and explores the darker aspects of the human experience. Poor Folk and The Gambler are essential reading for fans of Dostoevsky and classic Russian literature. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1915 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

The Insulted and Injured is a novel written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the most renowned Russian writers of the 19th century. The story revolves around the life of a young woman named Natasha, who is forced to leave her family and live with her cruel and abusive father-in-law after her husband dies. Natasha is mistreated and humiliated by her father-in-law, who is also responsible for separating her from her son. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption. It delves into the inner turmoil of the characters and their struggles to overcome their past mistakes and find a way to move forward. The story is narrated by a young writer named Ivan, who becomes involved in the lives of Natasha and her friends. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky examines the social and moral issues of his time, including poverty, corruption, and the abuse of power. He also explores the complexities of human relationships and the impact of one's actions on others. The Insulted and Injured is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that has been praised for its vivid characterizations, intricate plot, and profound insights into the human condition. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian literature or classic literature in general. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1915 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

When an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, here's the lit-crit help students need to succeed! SparkNotes Literature Guides make studying smarter, better, and faster. They provide chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols, a review quiz and essay topics. Lively and accessible, SparkNotes is perfect for late-night studying and paper writing.

Crime and Punishment is set in St Petersburg and paints a vivid picture 18th century Russia before the revolution brought with it the winds of change. The book portrays the rampant poverty and unending pain and suffering of the proletariat. It is in such ghastly circumstances that the character of Raskolnikov is born.