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197 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1848
"Disagreeable! I should think so! Yet, to be sure, there are thieves and thieves. And I have happened, sir, to come across an honest thief."The story is a poignant answer to the question.
"An honest thief? But how can a thief be honest, Astafy Ivanovitch?" (pp.3-4)
"Why", flashed through his mind, "here we talk and talk, but when it comes to action - it all ends in nothing. Here, for instance, take this Pseldonimov: he has just come from his wedding full of hope and excitement, looking forward to his wedding feast....This is one of the most blissful days of his life....Now he is busy with his guests, is giving a banquet, a modest one, poor, but gay and full of genuine gladness....What if he knew that at this very moment I, I, his superior, his chief, am standing by his house listening to the music? Yes, really how would he feel? No, what would he feel if I suddenly walked in? H'm!....Of course at first he would be frightened, he would be dumb with embarrassment.....I should be in his way, and perhaps should upset everything. Yes, that would be so if any other general went in, but not I....That's a fact, any one else, but not I...." (p.25)Dostoyevsky is a master at painting awkward situations.
Only then the young man in the wadded overcoat observed that this gentleman in the raccoon furs certainly was upset. His wrinkled face was rather pale, his voice was trembling. He was evidently in some confusion of mind, his words did not flow easily from his tongue, and it could be seen that it cost him a terrible effort to present a very humble request to a personage possibly his inferior in rank or condition, in spite of the urgent necessity of addressing his request to somebody. And indeed the request was in any case unseemly, undignified, strange, coming from a man who had such a dignified fur coat, such a respectable jacket of a superb dark green colour, and such distinguished decorations adorning that jacket. It was evident that the gentlemen in raccoon was himself confused by all this, so that at least he could not stand it, but made up his mind to suppress his emotion and politely to put an end to the unpleasant position he had himself brought about. (p.62)One of the funniest short stories I have ever read, I laughed (really laughed) many times! In fact, after enjoying An Unpleasant Predicament, even the title of this story was making me snigger in anticipation. The opening pages are an absolute gem. Dostoyevsky's humour doesn't get enough credit - we can see it in all of his longer works, but when he makes it the nucleus of a story, you'd be surprised.
...Suddenly in the midst of the profound stillness I heard a clear and distinct shout, "Wolf!" I shrieked and, beside myself with terror, calling out at the top of my voice, ran out into the clearing and straight to the peasant who was ploughing. (p.101)Based on a childhood episode of the author.
A true story of how a gentleman of a certain age and of respectable appearance was swallowed alive by the crocodile in the Arcade, and of the consequences that followed.A promising and absurd setting.
The friend is right. Something strange is happening to me. My character is changing and my head aches. I am beginning to see and hear strange things, not voices exactly, but as though someone beside me were muttering, "bobok, bobok, bobok!"Hearing muffled voices from beneath at a cemetery.
What's the meaning of this bobok? I must divert my mind. (p.135)
As I was thinking about the gas lamps in the street I looked up at the sky. The sky was horribly dark, but one could distinctly see tattered clouds, and between them fathomless black patches. Suddenly I noticed in one of these patches a star, and began watching it intently. That was because that star had given me an idea: I decided to kill myself that night...(p.151)Perhaps the most 'Dostoyevsky-esque' of the collection - welcome back, Depraved Man. Many people have probably read or heard of a story involving a utopia, a paradise where there is only love, joy and serenity, and man is one with nature. Would vividly dreaming of living in such a world for a millennium change a desperate man? A masterful story deserving more renown.
"Nastenka," I answered in a stern and dignified voice, hardly able to keep from laughing, "dear Nastenka, I know I describe splendidly, but excuse me, I don't know how else to do it. At this moment, dear Nastenka, at this moment I am like the spirit of King Solomon when, after lying a thousand years under seven seals in his urn, those seven seals were at last taken off. At this moment, Nastenka, when we have met at last after such a long separation - for I have known you for ages, Nastenka, because I have been looking for some one for ages, and that is a sign that it was you I was looking for, and it was ordained that we should meet now - at this moment a thousand valves have opened in my head, and I must let myself flow in a river of words, or I shall choke. And so I beg you not to interrupt me, Nastenka, but listen humbly and obediently, or I will be silent." (p.173)While Another Man's Wife... was one of the funniest short stories I have read, White Nights was one of the most beautiful, fully deserving to be the title of the collection - my bias comes from seeing my younger self in the protagonist. For those new to Dostoyevsky, I recommend you begin by reading this story if you are wary of tackling one of his novels, and find out whether his writing appeals to you. You can find the story online, here for instance.
...After receiving his book he walked round the other toys for a long time; he longed to play with the other children, but did not dare; it was evident that he already felt and understood his position. I love watching children. Their first independent approaches to life are extremely interesting. I noticed that the red-haired boy was so fascinated by the costly toys of the other children, especially by a theatre in which he certainly longed to take some part, that he made up his mind to sacrifice his dignity...A succinct story about wealth and society.
"Come, that's enough, that's enough! Of course, that's how it is....You know what it all comes from - from my having a good heart. What vexes me is, that I could not tell you as I wanted to, making you glad and happy, telling you nicely and initiating you into my secret properly....Really, Arkasha, I love you so much that I believe if it were not for you I shouldn't be getting married, and, in fact, I shouldn't be living in this world at all!" (p.217)Such a joyous prelude to the story. Yep.