Shakespeare once wrote: "Hell is empty and all the devils are here."

Stephen King wrote in his brilliant novel: "Demons are real. So are ghosts. They live inside us, and sometimes they win."

Dostoevsky also claims that: "Devils exist. There is no doubt about it. But our understanding of them is very different." In a novel that, according to himself, deals with the greatest moral problem of our time.

Camus, a beloved writer, ranked "The Possessed" among the three or four greatest works of world literature, which are the lofty peaks of the human mind. He says in another part of his article on Dostoevsky in the book "The Rebel": "Because our world must either die or give it its due. And whether this world dies or is reborn, in any case, Dostoevsky's work is to the point." Camus later adapted this beloved novel of his into a play with the same title, and after reading the novel, it is clear to me why Camus saw this novel like a stage play and theater, because there is no other way to be in the scene of this novel, and only by entering its world does one enter the theater hall. The devils, like "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov", are a very long and detailed novel with many descriptions. In "The Possessed", the events are even more unexpected than in the other two titles. So much so that the reader has no idea about the occurrence of events until the end of each scene. When we enter the world of the book and until the moment of its end, we have no prediction about the course and development of the book. But when we reach the end of the book, we think to ourselves that yes! This story had no other way but its current end, and all the paths had ended here. In "The Possessed", the peak of character portrayal in literature is also evident, and very memorable characters will be created in our minds, some of which are the developed states of other Dostoevsky characters in the novels "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov". Among the important characters of the story, one can mention Stavrogin, Shatov, and Kirillov. Hours can be spent in conversation about the actions and words of each of these characters without getting tired. Shatov is a character whose face is described very much like Dostoevsky's own face, and even in the scene of his child's birth, all the conditions that were considered for him are the feelings and states that Dostoevsky had at the birth of his first child. Something that Dostoevsky did many times and showed that although he describes from a different perspective than Turgenev and Tolstoy, he is a master in staging his scenes. Like the descriptions of the conditions of the execution scene in "The Brothers Karamazov", which were taken from his own experiences, and other examples. Stavrogin, the main character of the story, who is present in most of the peaks and climaxes of the story and fills the space, is also one of the most important examples of character portrayal. A character who, in the best chapter of the book and the climax of this play, that is, the chapter "Near Tikhon", goes to see a priest and conducts the deepest conversation of this theater. A character whose diabolical current and halo that surrounds him causes a change in the other characters of the story. Finally, Kirillov, who is always submerged in the thoughts and ideas of the story. Someone who is constantly lost in thought and cannot sleep at night and keeps asking questions until morning. A person who opens and expands the aspect and window of the concept of "suicide" in this novel and has a behavior like that of innocent children. A character who has been captured by a kind of nihilism but, like the character Bazarov in Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons", does not betray humanity. Like the scene where he denies the killing of other people.

Like Dostoevsky's other novels, "The Possessed" is full of philosophical conversations and thought-provoking discussions. As always, the psychological analysis of the characters is done at their peak and in the closest state to them. It is full of questions about the existence of God and issues such as suicide, life, and the restlessness of humanity. It is full of evil and pleasure in faith and commits horrible acts. However, as always, we understand the characters and in some cases feel sorry for them. In addition to all these things, the criticism of society and the political beliefs of that time's society has also fallen under the pen of Dostoevsky. Beyond these things, the characters of this novel are written based on a real event and real characters. The scenes of the book have their own eternal clarity, and as always, Dostoevsky takes us and throws us into the scene, and we are an invisible spectator. In some scenes, there are so many detailed and palpable details that the moment of your invisibility is erased, and for a moment you feel that there is no longer a halo between you and the characters of the story. You are in the scene, and you may close the book out of fear and horror.

The conversations and questions that Dostoevsky raises and answers in a special way, as always, are very deep and penetrate the human mind. As Camus says, he awakens the spark of enlightenment in us. One of the important questions raised in the book in the political and social aspect was whether it is possible to commit a crime and massacre in the name of a lofty goal? Something that I have always strongly opposed and always think to myself that it doesn't matter how lofty and ideal a goal is, a crime like a storm destroys it. And this is a thought that perhaps for years like Kirillov, I think about it in the corner of my room and cannot find a solution for it. Like the scene where Shigalov was thinking about the principles of their society and said: "I started my work from unlimited freedom and ended up in unlimited despotism." And perhaps freedom should not be started absolutely, and it is true that man is created free, but our invisible chains have chained us to stones.

"The Possessed" is the most tragic work of Dostoevsky. It is full of turmoil and noisy and evil scenes, and the characters are like demons fighting in it, and this heat and fighting and turmoil seem to have no end, and as the poem from Pushkin at the beginning of the book is quoted: "No matter what we seek, there is no way.

We are lost, what can we do?

It is the devil who has led us to the deserts.

This is the reason for our wandering...".

A poem that has a meaning for you when the book is opened, and when the book is closed and read again, it has a completely different meaning, because of a few months of life in a noisy city and being a spectator of the unexpected events of that on the stage of a spectator.

Finally, a few important points about reading this book:

In what situation do I recommend this book to you? If you have derived a lot of pleasure from reading Dostoevsky's large works such as "The Brothers Karamazov" or even "Crime and Punishment", and although the descriptions and many details make reading slow, they have not caused you to be discouraged and tired.

It was mentioned in one of the other reviews, but it may be necessary to repeat it: Note that one of the chapters of the book, titled "Near Tikhon", which is located on page 919 of the Niloufar publication, should be read after page 585.

The first sentence of Albert Camus’ Forward to his 1959 play redacted from Dostoyevsky’s novel reads, “The Possessed is one of the four or five works that I rank above all others.”

Camus held Dostoyevsky's work in extremely high regard. His statement implies that The Possessed had a profound impact on him. It was among the select few works that he considered to be of the utmost significance.

Perhaps it was the complex characters, the intense psychological exploration, or the deep themes within the novel that captured Camus' attention.

By ranking it so highly, Camus was not only expressing his personal admiration but also highlighting the importance of Dostoyevsky's work in the literary canon.

This simple yet powerful sentence serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Dostoyevsky's writing and its ability to resonate with great minds like Camus.

A complex, engaging, and at times even burdensome novel, but Dostoevsky - as always - by telling a particular story with clearly delineated characters, manages to speak of something universal that concerns all of humanity and every man, something that concerns me.

Albert Camus, who worked for twenty years on a theatrical reduction of this novel, says:

“The Devils is a prophetic novel not only because it announces our nihilism, but also because it stages torn or dying souls, incapable of loving and suffering from not being able to do so, who want to and cannot believe, who are the same ones that populate our society and our spiritual universe today.”

This novel seems to hold a mirror up to our modern world, reflecting the inner turmoil and spiritual emptiness that many of us experience. It makes us question our values, our beliefs, and our place in the world. Dostoevsky's masterful portrayal of the human condition forces us to confront the demons within ourselves and to search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly chaotic and meaningless world.

Fyodor Dostoevsky, perhaps more than anyone else, had an astonishing understanding of the intricacies of humanity.

He saw with a searing clarity the psychology of people, the profound ideas they strive to uphold, the future they envision building upon those ideas, and the ultimate consequences of those futures.

He knew that man is a social being, and that the masses can easily be influenced and used as tools for revolutionary change.

He even foresaw the communist revolution that would occur nearly 50 years later.

The principles he expounds in his works are universal in their exploration of the human mind and how we are collectively manipulated by others to achieve their own ends.

The book "The Possessed" begins with a powerful passage from Luke that sets the stage for the entire story.

It tells of a man from whom demons are cast out and enter into a herd of swine, which then rush down a steep hill and drown in a lake.

This story serves as a metaphor for the way revolutionary ideas can infect the minds of the masses and lead to destruction and tragedy.

Dostoevsky uses the characters and events in a small Russian town to illustrate this point.

As the story unfolds, we see how the ideas of revolution take hold and how the people are driven by passion and ideology.

The novel builds to a climax with a failed coup and a fire that consumes the town, resulting in death and chaos.

However, Dostoevsky does not end the novel on a note of despair.

After plunging us into the darkness of human depravity, he offers a glimmer of hope in the form of a transcendent belief in God and love.

He shows us that even in the midst of chaos and tragedy, there is still a possibility of finding meaning and purpose in life.

Dostoevsky is truly a master of the philosophical novel, and his works continue to inspire and challenge readers today.

Quit at 20 %. Soporific, so soporific…

It seems that at this point, there is a strong inclination to give up. The feeling of being soporific is overwhelming, making it extremely difficult to stay awake and focused.

Perhaps it's due to the long hours of work or the monotony of the task at hand. Whatever the reason, the desire to quit is growing stronger with each passing moment.

But should we really give in to this temptation? Maybe there is still a glimmer of hope, a chance to push through and overcome this feeling of drowsiness.

We could take a short break, stretch our legs, and get some fresh air. Or perhaps have a cup of coffee or tea to boost our energy.

It's important to remember that giving up is not the answer. We need to find the strength within ourselves to persevere and continue on this journey.

So, let's not quit at 20 %. Instead, let's fight against the soporific and keep moving forward.

There's no doubt about this. This is one of the classics. Also known as The Possessed, this Dostoyevsky work is right up there with The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment. However, in my opinion, it's not quite as good as the other two.

That isn't to say this isn't a true classic. As I was reading it, I was constantly amazed. I kept pointing at the text and saying, "Hey! That's TOTALLY Fight Club! They're both challenging social norms in a similar way, flirting with disaster in increasingly epic ways." And also, "Hey! That's a total reference to intellectual nihilism and a whole 'God is Dead' vibe a whole DECADE before Nietzsche!"

I was truly thrilled. This book is like a time machine that takes us back to the eras that led, 50 years later, to the end of the Russian royalty. But then, within these pages, we also have the whole feel of anarchism, conspiracies, social reform, and pure idealism.

We shouldn't discount the tiny details, though. All the little steps and stages that show us how we can decline, ever so gradually, into turpitude, moral degradation, and some of the weirdest pure-intellectual/religious reasons for suicide in literature.

The fact is, this is not only a total soap-opera full of people toying with the ideas of going evil, but it's also a philosophical tract that critiques Russia, progressives, the religious, and all the major political structures of the day.

And it's also a portent for our modern world. Not to mention that it bears a resemblance to our modern world.

Yes, we're all devils.

One of the diamonds of world literature and at the same time the most tiring book of Dostoyevsky that I have read, with endless, exhaustive dialogues between Westernizers, atheists, and nihilists. Immediate irony and criticism of ideologies that Dostoyevsky wanted to achieve, deliberately choosing the artistic piece to come second, so as to primarily express practically his remorse for his participation in a revolutionary circle in his youth. The translation is amazing, making me feel that all these years of reading Dostoyevsky perhaps I was being fed mashed food, with a beautified version of the original language (mainly the syntax). Nikolay Stavrogin, a real devil, is one of the most shocking fictional characters of all time. ❣

The novel "Demons" is a complex and profound work that delves into the darkest corners of human nature and the ideological turmoil of Dostoyevsky's time. The characters are richly drawn and their dialogues are intense and thought-provoking. The author's exploration of themes such as nihilism, atheism, and the search for meaning in life is both timely and timeless. Despite its length and density, the novel is a captivating read that rewards careful study and reflection.

Dostoyevsky's writing style is unique and powerful, and the translator has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the original text. The use of vivid imagery, intense emotions, and complex sentence structures adds to the overall impact of the novel. "Demons" is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian literature, philosophy, or the human condition.

The darker the days of a person or the more wretched and downtrodden a nation is, the deeper the hope of a future life and the vision of heaven takes root in their hearts. Especially when a hundred thousand religious sums are constantly thrown into the fire of this hope and they seek their own interests in it.

"Demons" or "The Possessed" was written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, which, according to many critics, is one of the greatest political works in history.

The book deals with the account of a political conspiracy in Russia, the story of the youth of a revolutionary who is eventually killed by his own comrades.

In this book, there are a group of atheists and on the other hand a group of believers in a Providence who have very different views of the future, but all of them have one thing in common: they have the right to sacrifice, to burn, and to destroy in order to achieve the dream and ideology of the revolution.

The revolutionaries who stop at nothing to achieve their dreams and have no fear of killing to achieve their goals.

In "Demons", you see people who are easily exploited. Those who love their country and desire a better world but, under the influence of fanatics, are turned into mindless killing machines.

Dostoyevsky, who was nicknamed the prophet of the Russian Revolution among the people, accurately predicted how the Russian revolutionaries would behave if they came to power.

Dostoyevsky was worried about the dangerous era in which he lived. He was aware of the dangers and challenges of the industrial revolution and the cohesion of society and was able to understand the negative tendencies of the Russian national spirit and describe all the violence of the 1917 revolution and the violent years of the communist regime decades before they occurred. And this group, in the characters of the submissive, see an accurate description of the leaders of the Soviet Communist Party.

But the book "Demons" is not only about the Russian Revolution, but Dostoyevsky, with his genius, predicted the rise to power of totalitarian governments in the 20th century that engulfed the whole world.

The human will attached to power; the capacity of the human soul to sacrifice; the ability of man to deceive himself and others; his love for; his hatred of; his need for faith, his addictions, both sacred and profane - Dostoyevsky places all these qualities of the soul together and rooted in the story of the wild politics, deceit, and death in the book and, with a fascinating story and a magnificent portrayal of characters, brings one of the greatest books in history to the writing genre.

**Original Article**: This product is okay. It has some good features but also has some drawbacks. Overall, it's an average product.

**Expanded Article**: This product is, to some extent, an okay option. It does possess several good features that are worth mentioning. For instance, it might have a user-friendly interface or a certain functionality that could be useful in specific situations. However, it also has some drawbacks that cannot be ignored. Maybe the performance is not as efficient as expected, or there could be some minor glitches in its operation.

Taking all these aspects into consideration, overall, it can be considered an average product. It doesn't stand out as being outstanding, but it also doesn't completely disappoint.

actual rating: 2.75 stars

"Demons" is arguably one of the most successful books I know.

The intricate and detailed reflection that constitutes this extraordinary novel, along with the strange, dark, and mysterious characters, makes this work a truly unique story. It is not only a beautiful work of art but also a magnificent background work.

In "The Demons", Dostoevsky presents us with a masterful reflection and a magnificently composed book that follows the procedures of the serial novel. It is a profound meditation on God, violence, suicide, and dogmas that trap, such as communism in the book, and lead to the worst.

I know only one author who has created works similar to Dostoyevsky in terms of style, manner, characters, and intrigues: Shakespeare. Although, of course, with these complex and dark characters and intricate intrigues, only Shakespeare comes close to this author; still, Dostoevsky surpasses Shakespeare!

Perhaps one might argue that one was a playwright and the other a novelist, and they cannot be so alike. But there is something scenic in "The Demons", and it is no coincidence that Camus made a part of it. The form and substance are of infinite perfections. It is a truly great work.

The story of "The Devils" in Dostoyevsky's book, like his other great work "Crime and Punishment", criticizes the ideas of the famous Italian politician Machiavelli. He still believes that in order to achieve our goals, we should not use every means and sacrifice morality for our dreams.

His "devils" are revolutionary people who stop at no crime to achieve their goals.

A part of the book:

For deceiving the people, there is no baser role than that of man himself, because no one believes that there can be found a man who has no mask on his face.

03/5/8

Dostoyevsky's exploration in "The Devils" delves deep into the complex nature of human behavior and the lengths people may go to in the pursuit of their ideals. It makes us question the true cost of achieving our goals and whether morality should always be sacrificed. This work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining our moral compass in a world that often seems to encourage shortcuts and unethical behavior.