The shorter works of one of the world's greatest writers, including the classics The Gambler and Notes From the Underground.
The short works of Dostoevsky exist in the very large shadow of his astonishing longer novels, but they too are among the best works in the history of literature. The Gambler chronicles Dostoevsky's own addiction, which he eventually overcame. Many have argued that Notes From the Underground contains several keys to understanding the themes of the longer novels, like Crime and Punishment and The Idiot. Those stories are joined here by other classics, including White Nights and The Eternal Husband.
In the introduction to this volume, Ronald Hingley writes: "It is admittedly impossible to evaluate or understand Dostoevsky's major work properly without taking into account his less voluminous writings, (and) it is also true that many of his shorter works are masterpieces in their own right--as it is hoped the reader may remind himself or discover for the first time..."
Related Subjects
Americas Behavioral Sciences Gay & Lesbian Health Health, Fitness & Dieting Health, Fitness & Dieting Historical Study & Educational Resources History Politics & Social Sciences Psychology Psychology & Counseling Science & Math Self-Help Sex Social History Social Science Social Sciences SociologyAfter reading The House of the Dead, I was given this collection of short stories. I easily drown in each story, always ready to begin the next tale upon finishing the previous.
2Report
This is a wonderful book for anyone just entering into Russian literature (or someone who has yet to gain a passion for reading). Dostoevsky is very poignant and clearly articulates the feelings humans go through, including the inner turmoil associated with daily life... Great night time reading.
2Report
This collection can be recommended to anyone interested in sampling Dostoyesvky's shorter fiction; it contains within the one volume a good number of stories which in other editions (Penguin and Oxford) fill more than one volume.The short stories themselves are just sublime and should not be overlooked by those who tend to think that the best work will be necessarily contained in the novels. The Double is my favourite;...
1Report
One night i decided to "start" the first story in the book, The Double. I was up a little past four in the morning, finishing the story. I was simply enthralled. I continued in this fashion for eight days; until i had finished all eight stories. Dostoevsky seems to have endowed every piece of everything he ever wrote with complete brilliance. Though my favorite story in the collection was Notes From the Underground,...
1Report