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The Idiot

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1869

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Book Brief

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Idiot

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1869
Book Details
Pages

667

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Russia • 1860s

Publication Year

1869

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky follows Prince Lev Myshkin, a good-natured but financially ruined aristocrat who returns to Russia after years of treatment in Switzerland. He enters the societal whirl of love, deceit, and rivalry involving Nastasya Filippovna and the Epanchin family. The story is a profound exploration of human complexity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. This book includes themes of mental illness, violent conflict, and death.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.2

191,489 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Dostoevsky’s The Idiot is lauded for its deep psychological exploration and complex characters, particularly Prince Myshkin. However, its intricate plot and extensive philosophical digressions can be seen as challenging. While many appreciate the novel’s ambitious themes and moral questions, others find it dense and difficult to follow.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Idiot?

A reader who enjoys The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky is typically drawn to complex character studies, psychological depth, and moral dilemmas. Fans of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Camus' The Stranger will appreciate its exploration of human nature and societal critique. Lovers of Russian literature and existential themes will find it compelling.

4.2

191,489 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

667

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Russia • 1860s

Publication Year

1869

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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