Idiot – Dostojevskij Fjodor Michajlovič (2024)

The new edition of one of the most successful novels by the most read Russian writer, featuring eighty illustrations by the well-known painter Mikhail Gavrichkov. The novel 'The Idiot,' which Dostoevsky worked on during his stay in Switzerland and Italy while going through a heavy existential crisis, was first published between 1868 and 1869 and is undoubtedly one of his most remarkable works, standing apart from all others. It is also his most personal work, as the author projected many of his innermost existential experiences and beliefs onto its protagonist. In this novel, Dostoevsky set out to 'create the image of an ideally beautiful man,' which he considered a truly 'colossal,' even impossible task, since 'there can be nothing more difficult in the world, especially in our time.' This ideally beautiful being is Prince Myshkin, a character who has forever left an indelible mark on the history of literature and continues to inspire and enchant readers around the world today. Myshkin is internally beautiful, virtuous, noble, balanced, a pure person, completely innocent, almost 'angelic.' Unlike many of the author's other well-known characters, he is entirely free of dark passions, conflicts, desires, and evil 'demons.'...