Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Vintage 1960 Hardcover)

Description

“Poor Folk” is a novella written by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was Dostoevsky’s first published work and was serialized in the literary journal “The Contemporary” in 1846. The novella is a poignant exploration of poverty, social inequality, and the human condition.

“Poor Folk” is written in the form of letters exchanged between two characters, Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova. Makar is a poor and elderly civil servant living in St. Petersburg, while Varvara is a young woman from a more well-to-do background. The two characters share their thoughts, emotions, and struggles through their letters, revealing their inner lives and the challenges they face due to their circumstances.

The novella provides a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in 19th-century Russia and sheds light on the harsh realities of poverty and social disparity. Dostoevsky’s exploration of the characters’ emotions and the depth of their connection despite their different stations in life adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.

While “Poor Folk” is shorter than Dostoevsky’s later novels, it foreshadows many of the themes and psychological insights that would come to define his later works. It offers readers a window into Dostoevsky’s early writing style and his exploration of human suffering, empathy, and the impact of societal factors on individual lives.