'Notes from Underground' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a novella that delves into the existential crisis of the unnamed protagonist, referred to as the Underground Man. The story is presented in a diary form, exploring the protagonist's self-loathing, bitterness, and feelings of insignificance. The narrative is a mix of philosophical musings, societal critique, and introspective reflections, showcasing the protagonist's struggles with alienation and his disdain for societal norms. Dostoyevsky's writing style is described as beautiful yet painful, capturing the essence of a man living a life of terrible insignificance.
The novella is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the Underground Man's philosophical ramblings and the second part providing a narrative that sheds light on the protagonist's background and descent into the underground. Dostoyevsky weaves themes of free will, existentialism, and the human condition throughout the narrative, presenting a character who grapples with his own sense of identity and purpose. The book is praised for its smooth writing style, compelling storytelling, and the profound insights it offers into the complexities of human nature and societal conventions.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of self-harm, despair, mental illness, depression, and social alienation.
From The Publisher:
A collection of powerful stories by one of the masters of Russian literature, illustrating Fyodor Dostoyevsky's thoughts on political philosophy, religion and above all, humanity.
From the primitive peasant who kills without understanding that he is destroying a human life, to the anxious antihero of Notes From Underground-a man who both craves and despises affection-this volume and its often-tormented characters showcase Dostoyevsky's evolving outlook on man's fate. The compelling works presented here were written at distinct periods in the author's life, at decisive moments in his groping for a political philosophy and a religious answer. Thomas Mann described Dostoyevsky as "an author whose Christian sympathy is ordinarily devoted to human misery, sin, vice, the depths of lust and crime, rather than to nobility of body and soul"-and Notes From Underground as "an awe-and-terror-inspiring example of this sympathy."
Translated and with an Afterword by Andrew R. MacAndrew
With an Introduction by Ben Marcus
Ratings (70)
Incredible (14) | |
Loved It (27) | |
Liked It (19) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (3) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (240):
Read It (71) | |
Currently Reading (5) | |
Want To Read (139) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (21) |
3 comment(s)
Honestly, this book was more way more relatable than I thought it would be. It made me feel like I was taking a step back to look at myself.
Not going to lie though-- the first fourth of the book is quite slow and hard to understand. Once you hit the narrative, however, the rest of the book goes relatively fast.
caralho.
At first, I hated it. But the more I thought about it after I read it, I realized I loved it. I enjoyed thinking about it after finishing it than reading it.
What can you read after
Notes from Underground?
About the Author:
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881), one of nineteenth-century Russia's greatest novelists, spent four years in a convict prison in Siberia, after which he was obliged to enlist in the army. In later years his penchant for gambling sent him deeply into debt. Most…
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