I am not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book; but it sure wasn't this!

Before I go into a commentary on the short stories themselves, some info on what the book itself contains is warranted.

The book consists of 7 short stories: White nights, Honest thief, Christmas tree & a wedding, Peasant Marey, Notes from underground, A gentle creature and Dream of a ridiculous man. Notes from Underground actually qualifies more as a novella than a short story, given its length. These 7 are chronologically presented based on when Dostoyevsky wrote them (with one exception).

The chronological presentation of the short stories offers some interesting insights. The early stories are more hopeful, satirical, and somewhat joyous and heartful. The lead character is a positive person - a hero, if you will. As the book progresses to the period after Dostoyevsky's imprisonment, the tone turns more cynical, humor vanishes, characters spend many pages stating views or reflecting on existential questions, and plots become more psychologically complex. The leads transform into dark characters - anti-heros.

This is my first foray into Dostoyevsky's works. I picked up this book without any prior knowledge or expectations regarding the nature of the content or writing. My only aim was to read what many regard as the world's foremost literary figure, without having to commit to a longer book not knowing if I would like the author.

Many of the stories don't have a traditional plot. They are often a series of incidents that provide insights into the personalities of the characters and, ultimately, into the human psyche. Most of the lead characters are lonely "dreamers". Once the writing transitions into the "anti-hero" archetype, they are also selfish, self-aggrandizing, self-criticizing, and self-contradicting. But they are never alien. Dostoyevsky, to his credit, manages to make them relatable, even when they are less desirable human beings.

Many of the ideas presented in the book, as the internet tells me, are rebuttals or opinions about popular schools of thought at that time. I didn't think this background knowledge was necessary to appreciate or even ponder the thoughts presented. I loved them - especially the way existentialism was addressed in the last story - Dream of a Ridiculous Man. However, they became a bit overwhelming for me in Part 1 of Notes from Underground. This, I must admit, made for a somewhat tedious read. It gave the impression of reading an essay rather than a short story. The ideas, while thought-provoking, were repetitive, so while I understood them, I also drifted off a fair bit.

All in all, I liked the collection and Dostoyevsky's style. I am looking forward to picking up Brothers Karamzov sometime later in the year.

An Abhorrent Incident (Exploitation and Schadenfreude, the wedding crasher, the uninvited Yakup),

A Gentle Girl (The most extreme and painful form of Gaslighting).

Bobok (One of Dostoyevsky's most interesting and beautiful stories. I'm thinking of George Saunders for the second time today. Those who have read his novel In the Water will understand. There is a very good epilogue at the end of the book, especially for this story, and it is said that this story is a microcosm of all the topics the author is interested in. I will read it again.)

A Heart Like a Tortilla (A great story about Procrastination / the Disease of Delay and a character that everyone can find in themselves. An unnecessary fact about Dostoyevsky: On the day he was going to marry his first wife, Marya Dmitrievna, whom he met in Siberia, he had an epileptic seizure on one of the happiest days of his life. For some reason, this fact came to my mind. When you are extremely grateful, not being able to do anything out of extreme excitement and overthinking. Dostoyevsky is actually talking about the weight of an emotion, a thought.)

The Crocodile (The duplicity of the people he criticizes in the subtext, thinking of one's own gain at the worst moment of others, an absurd story about useless bureaucracy. It's not a bad story, but I didn't want to get to know Dostoyevsky with this story. Can Publishing House has published this story as a separate book. A person who starts reading Dostoyevsky's works with this story may approach his other writings coldly.)

Someone Else's Wife and a Husband Under the Cradle (I waited to see what would happen at the end, even if I didn't faint. Like a Boulevard Comedy.)

Two Suicides (The girl who committed suicide left a suicide note saying ''Make sure I'm dead after putting me in the coffin, don't bury me alive''. I think this suicide note is real.)

Mr. Proharçin (It became one of my favorite Dostoyevsky stories with the environment he put us in. Has it been adapted for the theater?)

I will update.

Just not a fan of the author's writing style.

I find it rather unappealing and perhaps a bit too idiosyncratic for my taste. The way the author constructs sentences and arranges ideas sometimes feels disjointed and makes it difficult for me to fully engage with the text.

Maybe it's a matter of personal preference, but I often find myself struggling to follow the author's train of thought.

There are certain elements in the writing that I just can't seem to connect with, whether it's the use of overly complex language or the lack of a clear narrative flow.

Despite this, I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt and perhaps explore more of their work in the future to see if I can gain a better understanding and appreciation of their unique writing style.

However, for now, I remain simply not a fan.

Enjoyable collection of short stories from one of the greatest literary minds. The works in this collection are a testament to the author's remarkable talent and depth of understanding.

With that said, the jewel in this collection is "White Nights" and the reason why I bought it originally. I’ve already read "Notes from Underground" so I’ll separate them from this review — although on its own it would likely boost this review to 5 stars. "White Nights" is a captivating romantic narrative that follows a lonesome character who seems fated to remain alone. Suddenly, he finds himself completely enraptured by a young girl. Her beauty is enticing, but it's her innocence and kindness that draw him in even closer. Then we follow a windy few days in which our hero is essentially friendzoned and becomes the third wheel to this girl’s love story.

Finally, the love triangle between the hero, the girl, and her distant lover becomes untangled when her lover seems to no longer be interested. Our hero seems to be spiritually lifted by this change in his fortune and frustratedly confesses the truth of his love to this girl who seems (somehow) totally unaware of his affection. Just as they are ready to live happily ever after, the old lover shows up and she quickly switches up and falls back into his arms — leaving our hero heartbroken and alone again. Despite the circumstances, our hero finds solace in his extremely brief moments of happiness and suggests that a man can find comfort in just a few blissful minutes in his life. Even though I saw it coming, it still was an emotional stabbing and a great read.

The last story, "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man," truly stood out to me as well. We follow a prototypical nihilist full of indifference and self-abasement. On the precipice of suicide, he goes to bed and dreams of a utopian Earth that resembles the Garden of Eden prior to men sinning and discovering science/rationality/etc. There are a number of profound reflections on human behavior, meaning, and love. This quote stood out to me most, “On our Earth we can truly love only with suffering and through suffering! We know not how to love otherwise. We know no other love. I want suffering in order to love. I want and thirst this very minute to kiss, with tears streaming down my cheeks, the one and only earth I have left behind. I don't want, I won't accept life on any other!”

The other short stories are quite silly and simple. One revolves around a guy taking care of a homeless drunkard. At some point, he thinks the drunkard stole his pants and the drunkard proclaims his innocence. The man eventually feels bad and believes him, that is until the drunkard falls ill and confesses to stealing them on his death bed. They’re fine short stories but the only ones worth talking deeply about are "White Nights," "Notes from Underground," and "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man."

This is a collection of short stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky that I bought at a 50% discount at LaFeltrinelli in Italy. Besides the two famous and extremely interesting stories of Dostoevsky, which are "White Nights" and "Notes from Underground", which I had read in the Vietnamese translation before, the collection also introduces other short stories of Dostoevsky that I have never read before, including "The Honest Thief", "The Christmas Tree and a Wedding", "The Peasant Marey", "A Faint Heart", and "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man".

Among these newly known short stories, the one that impressed me the most is the story "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man", especially the quote "On our earth we can only love with suffering and through suffering. We cannot love otherwise, and we know of no other sort of love. I want suffering in order to love." It sounds really true, doesn't it? :)))

Dostoyevsky is astonishingly brutally true. His honesty, sharpness, and striking nature are such that when you read the monologues of his characters, you feel completely exposed. He seems to know an inordinate amount. I frequently have the sense that I ought to be cautious when reading anything of his, due to the way his writing makes me uncomfortable. Indeed, this might sound like an exaggeration. However, I truly feel that, at least for me, I cannot - and perhaps should not - read Dostoyevsky when I am emotionally vulnerable or filled with self-doubt. Such is the powerful influence he has on me.

I have perused most of three of these stories in Arabic, and I am rather pleased with this English translation. It allows me to further explore and appreciate the depth and complexity of Dostoyevsky's works. The translation seems to capture the essence and spirit of the original text, making it accessible to a wider audience. I look forward to delving deeper into these stories and continuing to be challenged and moved by Dostoyevsky's remarkable writing.

Dostoevsky had an in-depth understanding of his people, and this is vividly demonstrated in this collection of remarkable short stories.

Among them, the satire "The Crocodile" was my absolute favorite. It presented a unique and humorous perspective that really made me think. The story was filled with clever wordplay and sharp social commentary.

Closely following it was "Bobok". Although it had a different tone and style compared to "The Crocodile", it was equally captivating. The plot was engaging, and it delved into the deeper aspects of human nature and society.

Both of these short stories showcased Dostoevsky's extraordinary talent as a writer. His ability to create complex characters and tell engaging stories that had a profound impact on the reader was truly remarkable.

I highly recommend this collection of short stories to anyone who has an interest in Russian literature or wants to explore the works of a great master.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is widely regarded as a true master of the written word. His body of work is extensive and profound, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world. While his novels are often the focus of much acclaim and study, his short story collection is equally captivating, if not even more attention-grabbing in some ways.

Even if you have not been a die-hard fan of his other works, I wholeheartedly suggest giving his shorts a try. These stories are written with such exquisite beauty and artistry that they are a joy to read. The translations are also of the highest quality, ensuring that the essence and charm of Dostoyevsky's original words are preserved.

By delving into his short stories, you can gain a unique glimpse into his writing style. You will witness his ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters, to explore profound themes and ideas, and to craft narratives that are both engaging and thought-provoking. So, don't miss out on the opportunity to discover the hidden gems within Dostoyevsky's short story collection.

She understood from all this what a woman who loves sincerely always understands first of all, namely, that I was unhappy.

This simple sentence holds a profound truth. A woman in love has an innate ability to sense the inner turmoil and unhappiness of the one she loves. It is as if her heart is attuned to his, picking up on the subtlest of cues.

In this case, the woman's understanding of the narrator's unhappiness is a testament to the depth of her love. She doesn't need him to explicitly state his feelings; she can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, and feel it in his presence.

This understanding creates a bond between them, a connection that goes beyond words. It allows her to offer comfort and support, even when the narrator may be reluctant to accept it.

Overall, this sentence highlights the power of love and the intuitive nature of a woman in love. It shows that sometimes, the most profound understandings are the ones that are felt rather than spoken.

This is a truly wonderful little collection of short stories by Dostoevsky.

I often quote from "Notes from the Underground" below, but I especially adored "White Nights" and "The Peasant Marey". Such a book could be an excellent way for a reader who is intimidated by Dostoevsky's novels to get a sense of his works.

Favorite quotes abound.

Regarding brotherhood, from "Notes from the Underground": "But I used to call on him only when I was in the right mood for such a visit, when, that is, my dreams had reached such a pinnacle of bliss that I felt an instant and irresistible urge to embrace all my fellow-men and all humanity. But to do that one had at least to have one man who actually existed."

On freedom, also from "Notes from the Underground": "One’s own free and unfettered choice, one’s own whims, however wild, one’s own fancy, overwrought though it sometimes may be to the point of madness – that is that same most desirable good which we overlooked…And why on earth do all those sages assume that man must needs strive after some normal, after some rationally desirable good? All man wants is an absolutely free choice…For what is man without desires, without free will, and without the power of choice but a stop in an organ pipe?"

Concerning history, again from "Notes from the Underground": "Monotonous? Well, I suppose it is monotonous: they fight and fight, they are fighting now, they fought before, and they will fight again – you must admit that this is rather monotonous. In short, you can say anything you like about world history, anything that might enter the head of a man with the most disordered imagination. One thing, though, you cannot possibly say about it: you cannot say that it is sensible."

On virtue, from "A Gentle Creature": "Cheap generosity is always easy, even to give one’s life – yes, even that is easy, because it is merely the result of high spirits, of a superabundance of energy, of a passionate desire for beauty! Oh, no! You try a different kind of generosity, the really heroic kind, the difficult, calm, silent kind, without glitter, with odium, the kind that demands great sacrifices, the kind that doesn’t bring you a scrap of fame or glory, in which you – a man of shining virtue – are exhibited before the whole world as a blackguard, while you are really the most honest man of them all! Well, try that, my dear girl. Just try it."

Also on virtue, from "The Peasant Marey": "I suddenly came to and sat up on my bunk and, I remember, I could still feel the gentle smile of memory on my lips. For another minute I went on recalling that incident from my childhood…now twenty years later in Siberia I suddenly remembered this meeting so distinctly that not a single detail of it was lost…I remember the tender, motherly smile of that serf, the way he made the sign of the cross over me and crossed himself, the way he nodded at me. … if I had been his own son, he could not have looked at me with eyes shining with brighter love. And who compelled him to look like that? He was one of our serfs, a peasant who was our property, and after all I was the son of his master. No one would have known that he had been so good to me, and no one would have rewarded him for it. Did he really love little children as much as that? There are such people, no doubt. Our meeting took place in a secluded spot, in a deserted field, and only God perhaps saw from above with what profound and enlightened human feeling, and with what delicate, almost womanly, tenderness the heart of a coarse, savage ignorant Russian serf was filled, a serf who at the time neither expected nor dreamt of his emancipation. … And so when I got off the bunk and looked round, I suddenly felt I remember, that I could look at these unhappy creatures with quite different eyes, and that suddenly by some miracle all hatred and anger had vanished from my heart."

Regarding the younger generation, from "Notes from the Underground": "Every decent man of our age is, and indeed has to be, a coward and a slave."

And on the loss of youth, from "White Nights": "For, after all, you do grow up, you do outgrow your ideals, which turn to dust and ashes, which are shattered into fragments; and if you have no other life, you just have to build one up out of these fragments. And meanwhile your soul is all the time craving and longing for something else. And in vain does the dreamer rummage about in his old dreams, raking them over as though they were a heap of cinders, looking in these cinders for some spark, however tiny, to fan it into a flame so as to warm his chilled body by it and revive in it all that he held so dear before, all that touched his heart, that made his blood course through his veins, that drew tears from his eyes, and that so splendidly deceived him!"

4.5 out of 5... This rating is mainly due to the fact that for the last story, I simply didn't resonate with it at all.

It is quite evident that Dostoevsky is equally brilliant when it comes to his short stories as he is with his novels.

As he has always done, he delves extremely deep into the psyche of the characters that he creates.

He has an amazing ability to display the mysteries of human behavior.

His works are like windows into the complex and often mysterious world of the human mind.

Even when a particular story may not connect with a reader on a personal level, as was the case with the last one for me, one cannot deny the sheer genius and artistry that Dostoevsky brings to his writing.

His exploration of the human condition is both profound and thought-provoking, making his works a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the depths of human nature.

Notes from the Underground is, without a doubt, one of the most brilliant pieces of literature I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The way Dostoyevsky delves into the complex and tortured mind of the narrator is truly remarkable. It makes you question everything you thought you knew about human nature and the meaning of life.

The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful works. It is a story that combines elements of fantasy and reality, taking the reader on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. The language is so vivid and poetic that it feels like you are actually experiencing the events along with the protagonist.

Both of these works are masterpieces in their own right and deserve to be read and studied by anyone who has an interest in literature. They offer unique perspectives on the human condition and will leave you thinking long after you have finished reading.