I'm not really a big fan of the FyDo scene.

FyDo is known for writing rather bitter romance stories such as “A Gentle Creature” or “The Eternal Husband”. In these tales, a fat, old, hairy, and smelly pawnbroker marries a tragic teenage Russian girl who has been under the sadistic bondage of her cruel aunt and uncle.

Let's say the teenage girl is Irina Slombovina. She doesn't love the decrepit old scrivener, Issur Davidovitch, no matter how hard he tries to make her love him.

Typically, the ungrateful teen meets a tragic end. Yes, she dies, which is a sad waste considering that 200 years later, Irina would be the toast of New York Fashion Week, strutting down the catwalk and modeling the latest Proenza Schoeler fall collection.

Thank you, FyDo, for giving us such a unique perspective on things.

Don't be afraid of Russian writers!

Russian literature is renowned for its depth, complexity, and profound insights into the human condition.

Writers like Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Chekhov have created masterpieces that have stood the test of time.

Their works explore themes such as love, war, morality, and the meaning of life.

While the language and cultural context may seem intimidating at first, delving into Russian literature can be a rewarding experience.

It can开阔 our minds, expand our understanding of different cultures, and offer us new perspectives on the world.

So, don't let the fear of the unknown hold you back.

Open a book by a Russian writer and embark on a journey of discovery.

You may be surprised by what you find.

This collection offers no thrilling new translations or bold new critiques.

Instead, it presents a reliable compilation of some of the most outstanding short writings throughout history.

The selections are not only of high quality but also carefully chosen to provide readers with a diverse range of literary masterpieces.

What's more, this collection is affordably priced, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Whether you are a literature enthusiast or simply looking for some engaging reading material, this collection is sure to satisfy your needs.

It offers a convenient way to explore the works of some of the greatest short story writers and poets, and discover the beauty and power of concise writing.

So, don't miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of literary history.

Order your copy today and start enjoying the timeless classics included in this remarkable collection.

It is rather odd how certain authors resonate with us at one stage of life and not at another. Take "The Eternal Husband" for example. It could have been, and perhaps should have been, written today. However, of course, this is a completely different world. Pritchett makes an interesting point when he states that for Dostoevsky, psychology was not merely the motivation or causality behind the characters' actions, as it is in our post-Freudian world. Instead, psychology was the very plot and subject of his works. This shows the unique perspective that Dostoevsky had and how his approach to writing differed from what is considered the norm in our modern era. It makes one wonder how his works would be received if they were written today, with our different understanding and expectations of literature.

Stories from the collection I've read:

The Double: This story delves into the complex psyche of a man who believes he has a doppelgänger. It explores themes of identity, paranoia, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.

White Nights: A tale of love and longing set in the enchanting city of St. Petersburg. The story follows the relationship between a young dreamer and a mysterious woman he meets during the white nights of summer.

A Disgraceful Affair: This narrative explores the consequences of a passionate and scandalous affair. It examines themes of morality, desire, and the social expectations that can lead to emotional turmoil.

Notes from the Underground: Considered a seminal work of existentialist literature, this story presents the inner thoughts and musings of a bitter and isolated man. It delves into the nature of human consciousness, free will, and the absurdity of existence.

The Double is a captivating and highly readable tale that delves into the madness of a government official. The story unfolds smoothly, filled with numerous surprises along the way. Although the introduction mentions that this is an early work not on par with his later ones, I firmly believe it is well worth reading.

Among the stories I perused (and I thoroughly enjoyed each one), The Eternal Husband stood out the most for me. The two main protagonists are an amoral bachelor who had an affair with a now deceased married woman, resulting in a little girl, and the cuckolded widower who tracks him down. These two individuals meet and engage in a continuous battle of wits, which reveals their selfish nature and their obliviousness to their own true motives. The daughter endures great suffering as these two "elephants" clash above her. The most self-aware characters in the story, aside from the tragic little girl, are a group of teenagers who easily see through the two of them.

The Gambler is a compelling exploration of a chronic gambler (a trait Dostoyevsky himself possessed). For me, the most memorable character is "Granny," who was supposed to be on her deathbed in Moscow and about to enrich a corrupt family with her fortune. Instead, she shows up alive and well in a sedan chair and promptly wins (and then loses) a fortune at roulette during her first visit to a casino, while the Gambler offers advice and then despairs of helping her. She is highly entertaining and exposes the randomness of success at roulette, contrary to what the Gambler believes.

Notes From Underground is an extremely long essay on Dostoyevsky's personal philosophy regarding our inability to understand the true motives behind our actions. I managed to get through it, but just barely.

A Disgraceful Affair was highly enjoyable, as it reminded me of several characters I have worked for over the years. It is an entertaining portrayal of the chaos that ensues when a lofty (in modern terms, "liberal") aristocrat accidentally shows up at a wedding of common folk (his employee and his family and their wedding guests), oblivious to the fact that they are frantically turning their lives upside down to accommodate his presence.

Underrated

Many things in life are often underrated. We may overlook the true value and potential of certain people, ideas, or objects. It could be a talented artist who doesn't receive the recognition they deserve, a brilliant invention that goes unnoticed, or a simple act of kindness that has a profound impact.

Sometimes, we are too quick to judge based on first impressions or popular opinions. We fail to look deeper and discover the hidden gems that lie beneath the surface. This can lead to missed opportunities and a less fulfilling life.

However, it is important to remember that just because something is underrated doesn't mean it has no worth. We should take the time to explore and appreciate the things that may not be in the spotlight. By doing so, we may be surprised by the beauty, talent, and potential that we find.

In conclusion, let's not be too hasty in dismissing something as unimportant or unworthy. Instead, let's keep an open mind and a curious heart, and be willing to discover the underrated treasures that surround us.

But--you can't explain anything by reasoning and consequently it is useless to reason.

This statement presents a rather extreme view. While it is true that reasoning has its limitations, it is far from being completely useless.

Reasoning allows us to analyze situations, make connections, and draw logical conclusions. It helps us to understand the world around us and make informed decisions.

However, it is important to note that reasoning is not the only way to gain knowledge and understanding. Intuition, experience, and emotion also play important roles.

In conclusion, while reasoning may not be able to explain everything, it is still a valuable tool that we should not discard. We should use it in conjunction with other ways of knowing to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Dostoyevsky's protagonists are indeed tortured souls. They often find themselves in a state of uncertainty, not only about how to engage with the world around them but also about their very identities.

In his famous novella, 'The Doppelganger', a man experiences a profound crisis when he believes he sees his double. This encounter leads him to question his individuality in a most intense way. He is overcome with the fear that this double may somehow replace his rather uneventful life.

Thankfully, in our own lives, when we experience the phenomenon of seeing double, it is usually a much less complex and harrowing situation. More often than not, all that is needed is a simple eye exam and a pair of glasses to correct the visual impairment.

While Dostoyevsky's exploration of the doppelganger theme delves deep into the psychological and existential turmoil of his characters, our own experiences of seeing double are usually resolved with a relatively straightforward medical intervention. It serves as a reminder of the vast differences between the fictional worlds created by great authors and the practicalities of our daily lives.

I didn't have the urge to complete reading all of his stories. The style seemed repetitive to me. I envision that at a later stage, I will go back and read the ones I skipped, namely: The Eternal Husband, A Gentle Creature, and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man.

That being stated, my favorite story among the ones I read of his was White Nights. It had a remarkable character and was a beautifully narrated tale. The story of White Nights managed to capture my attention from the very beginning. The way the author described the characters and the setting was truly captivating. I could easily picture the scenes in my mind as I was reading. The emotions and feelings of the characters were also very well-expressed, which made it even more engaging.

Overall, although I didn't enjoy all of his stories, White Nights was definitely a gem. It made me look forward to reading the other stories that I skipped, as I believe there might be more hidden treasures among them.

The Double was an interesting read, yet it felt more in the vein of Kafka rather than what I envision as Dostoyevskian. It had an air of the surreal and the absurd that was somewhat reminiscent of Kafka's works.

White Nights, on the other hand, was a bit on the melodramatic side. The emotions were perhaps a touch overwrought, which detracted slightly from the overall impact.

The Eternal Husband and A Gentle Creature, however, were excellent, solid Dostoyevski psychological stories. They delved deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and guilt with great depth and insight.

A Ridiculous Man seemed more like something that Tolstoi would have written. It had a different tone and style compared to Dostoyevski's typical works.

As for Notes from Underground, The Gambler, and A Disgraceful Affair, I skipped them as I had read them before. Notes from Underground was good but rather depressing, The Gambler was a featherweight comedy, and A Disgraceful Affair was a very good story.

Overall, my experience with Dostoyevski's works has been a mixed bag, with some stories hitting the mark and others falling a bit short.

I haven't read this particular piece. I obtained it during my time in Graduate School at the University of Pittsburgh. However, it is in a very bad state of acidification. The pages are yellowed and brittle, making it difficult to handle and read.

It's a pity that this copy has deteriorated so much. I hope that maybe someday in the future, I'll be able to find another copy of it. It would be great to have the opportunity to read and study this work properly.

Until then, I'll keep looking and hoping. Maybe it will turn up in a used bookstore or library somewhere. One can only wait and see.