Fyodor Dostoyevsky accomplishes a remarkable feat in these masterful stories.

He manages to make the reader both despise and understand the unreliable, spiteful, and manipulative protagonists in his fictional world.

The Underground Man, for instance, takes out all his pent-up frustrations on an undeserving prostitute, yet the reader still feels a strange sense of empathy for him.

Similarly, the narrator of A Gentle Creature is a controlling misogynist, but he is also a complex and three-dimensional character.

Great Short Works is a wonderful, albeit disturbing, read that serves as an excellent introduction to one of the most philosophically complex authors of the nineteenth century.

Dostoyevsky's ability to create such morally ambiguous characters and make the reader question their own values is truly remarkable.

His works continue to be studied and analyzed today, not only for their literary merit but also for the insights they provide into the human condition.

Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, Great Short Works is definitely worth checking out.

I have no idea what's going on in "The Double," but the rest is wonderful.

No author can bring me to tears with just one sentence like Dostoyevsky.

Dostoyevsky's works are truly remarkable. His ability to create complex characters and explore deep human emotions is unrivaled.

In his novels, we can see the struggles, the hopes, and the fears of the characters as if they were real people.

Even though I may not fully understand every aspect of his works, I can still appreciate the beauty and power of his writing.

It is this unique quality that makes Dostoyevsky one of the greatest authors of all time.

His works continue to inspire and move readers around the world, and will no doubt do so for many years to come.

This collection is truly remarkable in many aspects. The works within it展现出 a high level of creativity and artistry. However, there is one drawback that cannot be ignored.

That is the presence of only a bad translation of "The Double" which flaws this otherwise excellent collection. The inaccurate and clumsy translation fails to do justice to the original text, detracting from the overall experience for the readers.

It is a pity that such a small yet significant element could have such a negative impact on the entire collection. Nevertheless, despite this flaw, the other works in the collection still manage to shine through and offer valuable insights and entertainment.

Hopefully, in future editions, a more accurate and skillful translation of "The Double" will be included to enhance the collection and make it even more outstanding.

These short works undoubtedly offer a good perspective on his larger body of work.

However, just like his larger work, these stories can be extremely dull.

I found that "The Double", the opening piece, was rather excruciating.

I then skipped ahead to "Notes from the Underground" and discovered it to be far more interesting.

I would suggest that you do the same.

This way, you can avoid the tedium of the less engaging stories and focus on the ones that have more depth and appeal.

While some may argue that every piece should be read in its entirety to fully understand the author's vision, in this case, it seems that certain works stand out more than others.

By selectively choosing which stories to read, you can have a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience with this collection.

This is the best short story compilation of Dostoyevsky's work that I have ever come across.

It presents a collection of stories that I have never seen published in other editions. Among them is one of his lesser-known masterpieces: 'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man'.

This particular story has the potential to forever transform how you perceive humanity or perhaps affirm your existing views, and it might even have the power to change our lives.

The stories included in this compilation are:

'The Double',

'White Nights',

'A Disgraceful Affair',

'Notes from the Underground',

'The Gambler',

'The Eternal Husband',

'A Gentle Creature',

'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man'.

Each of these stories offers a unique perspective into Dostoyevsky's complex and profound understanding of the human condition.

I’ve delved deep into the works of Dostoevsky, and what I’ve discovered is truly profound. From reading his masterpieces, I’ve gained a far greater understanding of human nature, reality, and the blurred lines between the real and the unreal. It’s as if he has peeled back the layers of our existence and revealed the raw, unfiltered truth.

His exploration of heaven and hell is equally captivating. It makes me question everything I thought I knew about these concepts. And while some might label my claim as blasphemous, can they truly argue that it’s untrue? Dostoevsky’s insights are so powerful and thought-provoking that they force us to confront the uncomfortable aspects of our being.

Unlike anything explicitly religious or psychological, his writing has the ability to touch our souls and make us see the world in a whole new light. It’s a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment that I will never forget. Through Dostoevsky, I’ve come to realize that the human experience is far more complex and mysterious than we could ever imagine.

These short stories have the power to transform your life! They are not just ordinary tales but rather windows into different worlds and experiences. Each story is carefully crafted to touch your heart, make you think, and inspire you to take action. Whether it's a story about love, loss, hope, or perseverance, you are sure to find something that resonates with you.

As you read these short stories, you will be transported to different places and meet a variety of characters. You will laugh with them, cry with them, and feel their pain and joy. Through these stories, you will gain a new perspective on life and learn valuable lessons that you can apply to your own situation.

So, if you're looking for something to change your life, look no further than these short stories. They are a source of inspiration, motivation, and entertainment all in one. Open up a book, start reading, and let the magic of these stories work their way into your heart and soul.

Dostoevsky is a renowned author who indeed has some very interesting and profound ideas. However, his choice of using 40-year-old male incel narrators to convey those ideas can sometimes be a bit off-putting. I was reading through some of his short stories and managed to get through 4 out of 8 of them. But after a while, I just decided that I had had enough. The constant perspective of these incel narrators, with their often misogynistic and self-pitying views, was starting to wear on me. I understand that Dostoevsky was perhaps trying to explore certain aspects of human nature and society through these characters, but it became a bit too much for me to handle. Maybe I'll come back to his works at a later time and try to approach them from a different perspective, but for now, I'm just going to take a break.

Mystery

Mystery is an enchanting and captivating concept. It has the power to pique our curiosity and draw us in. The unknown, the unexplained, these are the elements that make up a mystery. Whether it's a mysterious disappearance, a strange phenomenon, or an ancient secret, mysteries have intrigued humans throughout history. We are naturally inclined to seek answers, to solve the puzzle, and to uncover the truth. The allure of mystery lies in its ability to challenge our minds and expand our imagination. It forces us to think outside the box and consider possibilities that we may have never thought of before. Mystery can also create a sense of excitement and anticipation. We never know what we might discover or what new revelations might come to light. It keeps us on the edge of our seats, eager to find out what lies beneath the surface. In conclusion, mystery is a fascinating and enduring aspect of our world that continues to captivate and inspire us.

Dostoevsky's shorter works are truly remarkable.

When compared to his long novels, they possess a unique creativity and an unusual charm.

Their supernatural and dreamlike qualities add an air of mystery.

The main characters often exhibit paranoia or other imbalances.

A recurring theme is the attempt of a "superior" to help or redeem an "inferior," usually with disastrous consequences.

Dostoevsky seems to be telling us that we are alone and should not expect or try to be a redeemer.

In this collection, "White Nights" and "The Gambler" stand out.

"White Nights" has a touching story of heartbreak, while "The Gambler" depicts a servant's observations of the upper class.

"The Double" shows a descent into madness, and "A Disgraceful Affair" tells of an employer's clumsy attempt to ingratiate himself.

"The Eternal Husband" is a strange tale of a man's relationship with his former lover's husband.

"A Gentle Creature" introduces a typical Dostoevsky character, a pawn broker who drives a woman to suicide.

"Dream of a Ridiculous Man" is almost a parable on good and evil.

"Notes from the Underground" is baffling, with the first part having a pre-existentialist view and the second part about a man's failed attempt to help a prostitute.

These stories are both fun and troubling, with a style ranging from romanticism to naturalism.

They are fascinating to read, yet often hard to understand.

If you like J.-K. Huysmans, you'll surely love these stories.

The works of Fyodor Dostoevsky are renowned for their profound exploration of the human psyche.

Among them, "The Double" receives a rating of 3/5. It delves into the theme of identity and the split within the self.

"White Nights" is rated 4/5, painting a vivid picture of love and longing in the enchanting nights.

"A Disgraceful Affair" also gets a 3/5, exploring the seedy underbelly of society.

"Notes from the Underground" is highly regarded with a 5/5, presenting a scathing critique of modern society and the human condition.

"The Gambler" and "The Eternal Husband" both score a perfect 5/5, delving deep into the complex emotions and relationships of their characters.

"Dream of a Ridiculous Man" is given a 3/5, while "A Gentle Creature" earns a 4/5, both offering unique perspectives on love, sacrifice, and the human spirit.

Overall, Dostoevsky's works continue to captivate readers with their psychological depth and moral complexity.

During the summer of 1974, I made a determined effort to read every single work by Dostoevsky that I could lay my hands on. This was all in an attempt to better understand my girlfriend, who was a huge admirer of his.

I had the ideal job as a security guard, which was conveniently located just around the corner from Stuart Brent Books on Michigan and Ontario in Chicago. With not much to do other than read and write, I would visit the bookstore during my lunch break. On my days off, I would explore other used bookstores, eagerly searching for volumes of material that I hadn't read yet.

Naturally, this somewhat haphazard approach led to some duplication. For example, this collection included The Gambler, a novella that I had already read in another source. However, it also contained some stories that I hadn't come across before. So, with great enthusiasm, I purchased it. A more financially cautious reader might have opted to go to the library and look for something like The Collected Works. But I have always preferred to own the books I read, even if it meant having some redundancy.

This summer of reading Dostoevsky not only deepened my understanding of my girlfriend but also broadened my literary horizons. It was a time of discovery and exploration, and I cherish the memories of those days spent immersed in the world of one of the greatest Russian writers.