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44 pages 1 hour read

The Double

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1846

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Book Brief

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Double

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1846
Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Saint Petersburg, Russia • 1840s

Publication Year

1846

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky follows Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin, a socially awkward bureaucrat in 19th-century Saint Petersburg, who becomes increasingly paranoid as his life is disrupted by the arrival of a man who looks exactly like him. This double gradually takes over Golyadkin's personal and professional life, leading him into a downward spiral of fear and confusion. The novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and mental health.

Mysterious

Unnerving

Dark

Melancholic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.7

35,627 ratings

59%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Reviews for Dostoevsky's The Double highlight its psychological depth and exploration of identity crisis, often praising its complex character development and dark, satirical tone. However, some readers find the narrative dense and the protagonist's descent into madness unsettling. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human nature, albeit challenging for some.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Double?

A reader who would enjoy The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky is likely fascinated by psychological depth and existential themes. This novel appeals to fans of Kafka's The Metamorphosis and Camus's The Stranger. Such readers appreciate exploring the human psyche and societal alienation through richly complex characters and intricate narratives.

3.7

35,627 ratings

59%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Saint Petersburg, Russia • 1840s

Publication Year

1846

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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