64 pages • 2 hours read
The Idiot
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
667
Novel • Fiction
Russia • 1860s
1869
Adult
18+ years
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
191,489 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
191,489 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
667
Novel • Fiction
Russia • 1860s
1869
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.