The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Constance Garnett (Translator)

If, for instance, one had to construct a new crocodile, the question would naturally present itself. What is the fundamental characteristic of the crocodile? The answer is to swallow human beings. How is one, in constructing the crocodile, to secure that he should swallow people? The answer is clearer construct him hollow. It was settled by physics long ago that Nature abhors a vacuum.

- Taken from "The An Extraordinary Incident" written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

45 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Alternate spelling, see main profile Fyodor Dostoevsky

Reviews

[chris]

It’s a joy to discover that an author you know has range beyond what you think. Dostoyevsky is known for excessively psychological kitchen sink dramas, heavy with existentialism and religion. But this story is straight up Kafka or Gogol with its surrealism and satire. Also surprised to see that such a serious writer as Fyodor Mikhailovich is not above puns and can have fun with words.

[Aatish Shinde]

My man Fyodor has incredible range. A true literary rockstar!

[Carolina]

⭐⭐⭐ - 3.5

[Seth Skinner]

excellent satire of high-society capitalism and hubris. for being nearly 200 years old this guy dostoyevsky gets people so well… (or maybe people just never change) does a good job of conveying the zeitgeist of 19th century russia and the industrial revolution. I found the story very funny and humorous at times. this guy Matveitch is stuck inside a frigging crocodile and hes over here talking about increasing capital LOL. Lot of people like that in real life. especially now

[Booh]

So funky, honestly did not expect this

[Sara Valentine]

“A husband ought to live at home, and not in a crocodile…”

[Frank Ocean]

A takie fajne

[Moe Fattal]

old review:
"the crocodile is my home now.. it is warm and soft inside.. i have never felt so at ease.."
"let them watch.. let them pay ten kopeks.. suffering has become a spectacle and that is natural.."
"habit is everything.. a man can get used to anything, even to being a piece of property inside a monster.."

tbh dostoyevsky accidentally wrote one of the most honest parables about human adaptation..
a petty official is swallowed whole by a crocodile and instead of screaming for salvation he discovers he is finally comfortable inside.. he is warm, he is noticed, he can now lecture the world from within the belly of capital..

this is what i meant by our limitless capacity for self-betrayal.. man will call any prison a palace if it gives him an audience.. his wife worries about dinner, his friend worries about his career, the crocodile owner worries about profit.. no one sees the absurdity, everyone negotiates with it..

it is funny until you realize it is not satire, it is a documentary.. wow..

after revision:
tenant: absurd complacency substituting for real meaning..
good story..
ivan matveich's bizarre contentment inside the crocodile is satire on self-satisfied philosophizing, and dostoevsky never lets you take his comfort straight..