Dostoevsky: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #746

by Prof Deborah Martinsen

Fyodor Dostoevsky became the writer best known for his treatment of the big questions of ethics, religion, and philosophy.

In this Very Short Introduction, Deborah Martinsen explores Dostoevsky's tumultuous life his political imprisonment and narrow escape from execution, his Siberian exile, his gambling addiction, his romantic marriage, and his literary success. Martinsen also delves into his major works-Notes from Underground, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, Demons, The Brothers Karamazov, The Diary of a Writer, and more. Each chapter analyzes a key theme or aspect of Dostoevsky's writing that showcases his profound insights into human nature and doubling, freedom, shame, social justice, scandal, aesthetics, ethics, faith, and the eternal questions. Martinsen also demonstrates how Dostoevsky's novels remain relevant today as they address pressing questions about freedom, morality, and meaning in a complex world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Russia, Biography, Philosophy, Literature, Audiobook, Criticism

Audible Audio

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Jason Dill]

This Very Short Introduction is wonderfully-written and researched. Its depth betrays a thorough understanding of Dostoevsky’s complete oeuvre, however it is not by any means an ‘introductory’ text.

I have personally read only 2 of Dostoevsky’s novels, Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. As such, I was interested in learning more about the man himself, and his underlying philosophy of life, a promise inherent in the word “introduction.”

What this book delivered, however, was more like a disconnected series of annotations on Dostoevsky’s complete works, stretching from Poor Folk (1845) to The Brothers Karamazov (1880).

The 3-star rating does not stem from Martinsen’s writing or her knowledge, both of which are first-rate, but rather from the structure of the book itself which in my view fails to offer an actual ‘introduction’ to F.M. Dostoevsky.

If you are more thoroughly acquainted with Dostoevsky, you will love this book, however if you’re like me and are only beginning to read him, this book can be frustrating.

[Paul Maritz]

While this book offers a great analysis of key themes in Dostoevsky's life and work, I do wonder if it really is "a very short introduction". It might be slightly above the expectations of those who simply wish to know what Dostoevsky is all about. This book is slightly more suited to those who have read many of his works and wish to have a deeper understanding - thereby perhaps becoming more of a companion than an introduction. Nevertheless, this is a book of high quality.

[Aju Ani Justus]

was an informative read. but, i hoped this would be an introduction to dostoevsky instead of an introductory analysis of dostoevsky; by that i mean, i hoped this is something one can read before deciding what dostoevsky to start with or understanding the details of the backgrounds of how each book was written, rather than character specific, prose specific analysis (which i'm sure is only the basic, introductory analysis for dostoevsky scholars). would recommend reading after you've read the popular/big dostoevsky books. i was also disappointed (even though this one is on me) that the author barely speaks about white nights, the only (short) dostoevsky i've managed to finish reading (and enjoyed very much).

[Jeffrey Spitz Cohan]

I haven’t read any other of these Oxford “Very Short Introductions,” but this one, at least, is quite impressive.

Oxford certainly picked the right person for the job: Martinsen was a scholar of Slavic literature at Columbia and president of the International Dostoevsky Society (how do I join?).

Martinsen reminds us why so many readers find Dostoevsky highly relevant to our own times. She writes:

“His concern with such issues as social justice, women’s rights, prison (reform), court (reform), suicide, free will, belief, the power of ideas, the need for community, and freedom of the press resonates with us.”

To really enjoy this book, you have to have done more than dabble in Dostoevsky’s oeuvre. The more of his novels and short stories you’ve read, the better you will understand Martinsen’s sophisticated exegesis.

That said, Martinsen devotes a chapter to one or two books at a time, so you can skip those chapters that correspond with books you haven’t read.

I’ve read all of Dostoevsky’s major novels, except Demons, and I’ve thought a lot and even written about his work. But Martinsen’s analysis helped me understand these books at a deeper level than I ever had before.

Very short, but very insightful.

[Thought Bottle]

Easily the author I’ve heard most about that I haven’t actually read.

Idk. I’m interested in why so many people are so die hard about his work.

At the same time, everything I hear about the actual substance of his works makes him sound like a long winded Jesus freak.

Still not any clearer on if I want to give it a try after this book even though it’s a fairly informative overview.

Might just forever be a fence sitter about picking up his work.

[Chris]

Horrible book. Boring. I stopped around page 40.

I don’t and cannot recommend this book, unless you are a literary analyst and like boredom.

[Maan Kawas]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Aina Hard]

Ändå rätt bra summering tkr jag