Dostoyevsky's books: the 6 main ones

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

Fyodor Mikhailovitch Dostoevsky is considered one of the greatest thinkers and novelists in history. The Russian philosopher, journalist and writer wrote 24 works, not counting the author's short stories, novellas and essays. Therefore, we have selected the 6 main ones Dostoyevsky's books Check it out!

Fiodor Dostoievski's main books

1. crime and punishment (1866)

If you ask people who like to read which is Dostoyevsky's best book The synopsis of the book is about a main character named Ródion Ramanovich Raskolnikov.

He is a very smart former student who is around twenty years old and lives in a small apartment in Pittsburgh. Raskolnivok has given up his studies because of his financial conditions. Even so, he believes he will accomplish great things, but his poverty prevents him from reaching his full potential.

Raskolnivok believes that the old woman has a bad character and takes advantage of vulnerable people. With this conviction in mind, he decides to murder her.

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This work by Dostoevsky brings up a moral issue: Could murder be considered wrong if the purpose was noble? This is one of the questions that each person will reflect on during the reading, so this is a book that is a great indication to learn about the work of the Russian writer.

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It is worth mentioning that Dostoevsky was arrested in Russia in 1849 on a charge of conspiring against the Czar. He was exiled in Kazakhstan for nine years. This experience of living with criminals served as the basis for the book Crime and Punishment.

2. the Demons (1872)

The book is based on an event that really happened in 1869: the murder of student I. Ivanov by the nihilist group led by Sergey Nechayev. By recreating this event in fictional form, Dostoevsky brings a study of his time In other words, it presents the social, political, religious, and philosophical thought of the time.

The narrator is also an active participant in the story, as he tells this strange tale that occurred in his town in the Russian countryside. The narrative revolves around retired professor Stiepan Trofímovitch, who maintains a peculiar friendship with a wealthy widow in the town, Varvara Pietrovna.

Strange things soon begin to happen in the town after the arrival of a pensioner's son and a widow's son. These events are orchestrated by a terrorist organization, headed by these two newcomers.

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The work is considered a great portrayal of pre-revolutionary Russia, yet it is surprising how some aspects reflect today. Furthermore, the book manages to portray how people want to "change" the world through revolutionary terror.

Even though it is considered a heavy book, because it has a deep narrative and dialogues, "The Demons" is a great literary reference. So, it is worth reading this great work.

3. poor people (1846)

The book is Dostoevsky's first novel and was written between 1844 and 1845, the first publication being in January 1846. The story revolves around Diévuchkin and Varvara. He is a civil servant of the lower ranks and she is a young orphan and wronged girl. In addition, it is featuring other humble characters from St. Petersburg.

The author uses these characters to show that poor people are exposed by their financial situation. By the way, Dostoevsky shows that the poor are also capable of virtuous behavior This was, or still is, something that everyone imagined was only for the rich and generous.

After all, the lower class is always portrayed as only receiving kindness. However, the Russian author presents that they are more genuine, for they donate even the little they have. Finally, here is our invitation for you to learn more about this work by Dostoevsky.

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4. humiliated and offended (1861)

In this novel, we have a young writer, Ivan Petrovitch, who has gained attention with his first novel. He was an orphan who grew up in the Ikhmiêniev household with Natacha, the couple's daughter. In fact, it was with her that Petrovitch fell in love and planned to marry, but her family did not accept, and Natacha ended up marrying someone else.

It is with this premise that the narrator's story begins. The play mixes forbidden romances, family feuds, and abandonment, and Petrovitch is in the middle of it all and tries to deal with these problems. .

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The story was written by Dostoevsky , in 1859, when he returns to St. Petersburg after being imprisoned for almost a decade. Although it has some relation to the humiliation he experienced in prison, the Russian writer portrays the people suffering on a daily basis.

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5. white nights (1848)

This is Dostoevsky's closest work to romanticism. He wrote this book before he was arrested, in 1848. The main character is the Dreamer who falls in love with Nástienka, on one of the white nights of the capital St. Petersburg. Just to complete, the white nights are a phenomenon that causes long clear days in the Russian city.

For many readers, the work is one of those love stories that captivates everyone who believes and bets on love. But coming from Dostoevsky, the book brings countless interpretations about this love story In fact, each reader can fall in love or have another version of the storyline.

So, no matter what interpretation the reader will have, "White Nights" is a very different book from the Russian author's other works. So, if you like romance and Dostoevsky, this great work is worth a read.

6. the Player (1866)

To finish our list with the works of D ostoievski, books that are part of the world canon Dostoyevsky has a certain familiarity with the subject matter of the work, for there are reports that the writer was addicted to roulette. In fact, it is said that he lost more than he won.

The story is narrated in first person and is told from the point of view of Alexei Ivanovich. He is a young man who is attracted to gambling, so he risks his own fate, unable to resist the allure of roulette.

"The Gambler" is an interesting read, as it portrays gambling addiction and the illusion of making money through luck Moreover, it shows how difficult it is to stop playing when the time is right, so for those who are interested in Dostoyevsky, this book is a good tip.

Final considerations about Dostoyevsky's books

We hope that with our list of the best Dostoyevsky's books By the way, if you like this kind of reading, get to know our Clinical Psychoanalysis course. With our classes, you will have access to a very rich content about the functioning of the human mind and its dilemmas. So, don't miss this chance and enroll now!

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.