Notes from Underground; The Double (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Author), Jesse Coulson (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: July 30, 1972

"Notes from Underground" (1864) is a study of a single character, 'the real man of the Russian majority', and a revelation of Dostoyevsky's own deepest beliefs. One of his best critics has said of the first part that it forms his 'most utterly nakedpages. Never afterwards was he so fully and openly to reveal the inmost recesses, unmeant for display, of his heart.' "The Double" (1846) is the nightmarish story of Mr. Golyadkin, a man who is haunted or possessed by his own double. Is 'Mr. Golyadkinjunior' really a double or simply a earful side of his own nature? This uncertainty is what gives urgency and horror to a tale which may be read as a classic study of human breakdown.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

About the Author

Fyodor Dostoyevsky was born in Moscow in 1821. His first story 'Poor Folk' was published in 1846 and was a great success. He was exiled to Siberia for five years for his participation in the 'Petrashevsky Circle'. He returned to Moscow to begin the review 'Vremya' (Time). Later in life he fell deeply in debt but his second marriage to Anna Snitkina helped him to put his affairs in order. He died in 1881, six months after delivering his famous speech for the unveiling of Pushkin's memorial.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (July 30, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140442529
• ISBN-13: 978-0140442526
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Russian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A frighteningly realistic social commentary, January 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Notes from Underground; The Double (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I put down this book in an uneasy state. From his obsessive compulsive behavior when faced with any minor social situation to his ultimate, passionate, desperate encounter with the prostitute, Liza, the nameless Underground Man, in my opinion, is a culmination of all of Mankind's deepest, most cursed darknesses and fearful flaws. His seclusion from society allows him to comment on society "looking through the cracks" and thus gives the reader a morbidly realistic and accurate view of what our society truly is made of: boldly masked cowards. For anyone who's willing to think and to accept Dostoevsky's cynicism as possible reality, I highly recommend this terrifically intricate book. Whether you finish the book with passionate love and pity for the character or profound hate for him, it is worthwhile all the same.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have read hundreds of books, this being the most worthwhil, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Notes from Underground; The Double (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

There is no greater writer than Dostoyevsky. He captures emotions in his works and this is what makes him timeless. Though this may me a "lonely" book, it takes you to a desolate place and teaches you of the coldness of reality. I was moved by this piece, and also found great humor in some of the darkest moments in the story.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Notes from Underground; The Double (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Dostoyevsky's dark and genius satire spares none of his intellectual enemies the whip.

In the space of barely a hundred and twenty pages, Dostoyevsky reduces l'homme de la nature et la verité to a snivelling anti-ideal paradox acting only out of "spite" and "wickedness".