Although Russian fiction master Fyodor Dostoyevsky is best known for epic, sprawling novels that detail psychological and philosophical problems in minute detail, his more concise work is also remarkable in its scope and depth. This collection of stories will please fans of classic Russian literature and Dostoyevsky buffs who are interested in sampling the author's forays into another format.

This collection, unique to the Modern Library, gathers seven of Dostoevsky's key works and shows him to be equally adept at the short story as with the novel. Exploring many of the same themes as in his longer works, these small masterpieces move from the tender and romantic White Nights, an archetypal nineteenth-century morality tale of pathos and loss, to the famous Notes from the Underground, a story of guilt, ineffectiveness, and uncompromising cynicism, and the first major work of existential literature. Among Dostoevsky's prototypical characters is Yemelyan in The Honest Thief, whose tragedy turns on an inability to resist crime. Presented in chronological order, in David Magarshack's celebrated translation, this is the definitive edition of Dostoevsky's best stories.

The Novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky - White Nights and Other Stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky from The Russian by Constance Garnett - "White Nights" is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, originally published in 1848, early in the writer's career. Like many of Dostoyevsky's stories, "White Nights" is told in first person by a nameless narrator; the narrator is living in Saint Petersburg and suffers from loneliness. He gets to know and falls in love with a young woman, but the love remains unrequited as the woman misses her lover with whom she is finally reunited. Film adaptations have been made by Italian director Luchino Visconti (Le notti bianche, 1957), by Russian director Ivan Pyryev (Belye nochi, 1959), by French director Robert Bresson (Four Nights of a Dreamer, 1971), by Iranian director Farzad Motamen (Shabhaye Roshan, 2003), by Indian film directors Manmohan Desai (Chhalia, 1960), Jananadhan (Iyarkai, 2003), Shivam Nair (Ahista Ahista, 2006) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Saawariya, 2007), and by American director James Gray (Two Lovers, 2008).

"First published as a World's classics paperback 1995; Reissued as an Oxford world's classics paperback 1999; reissed 2009.

The shorter works of one of the world's greatest writers, including The Gambler and Notes from Underground The short works of Dostoevsky exist in the very large shadow of his astonishing longer novels, but they too are among literature's most revered works. The Gambler chronicles Dostoevsky's own addiction, which he eventually overcame. Many have argued that Notes from Underground contains several keys to understanding the themes of the longer novels, such as Crime and Punishment and The Idiot. Great Short Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky includes: Notes from Underground The Gambler A Disgraceful Affair The Eternal Husband The Double White Nights A Gentle Creature The Dream of a Ridiculous Man

A collection of Dostoevsky's short stories, including Notes From The Underground which is considered to be one of the first works of existential literature.

The book containing seven short stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky offers an eclectic mix of narratives that delve into the complex and often conflicted nature of the human psyche. From the exploration of solitude and unrequited love in "White Nights" to the examination of existential despair and misanthropy in "Notes from Underground," Dostoevsky crafts evocative and thought-provoking tales that showcase his prowess as a master storyteller. In "White Nights," the protagonist finds solace in a brief but intense connection with a stranger he encounters during the sleepless nights of the St. Petersburg summer. Dostoevsky explores themes of isolation, longing, and the painful yearning for human connection, ultimately leaving readers with a poignant reflection on the transient nature of happiness and the possibility of true love. "Notes from Underground," one of Dostoevsky's most famous works, takes readers on a psychological journey into the mind of a tormented and erratic narrator. Through a series of rambling and introspective monologues, Dostoevsky exposes the darker aspects of human nature, grappling with existential questions and shedding light on the inherent contradictions within society. "A Faint Heart" explores themes of social inferiority and the destructive power of pride. The story follows a timid and indecisive protagonist as he navigates the complex webs of societal expectations and personal desires. With biting irony and sharp social commentary, Dostoevsky highlights the destructive consequences of an unchecked ego. In "A Christmas Tree and a Wedding," Dostoevsky presents a story imbued with a sense of hope and redemption. The narrative weaves together elements of tragedy and comedy, exploring themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the transformative power of love. Through the juxtaposition of joy and sorrow, Dostoevsky reminds readers of the unpredictable nature of life and the potential for personal growth. "Polzunkov" dives into the world of bureaucracy and political corruption, where a seemingly insignificant civil servant becomes entangled in a web of deceit and manipulation. Dostoevsky captures the absurdity of a system that values power over morality, offering a scathing critique of societal structures that prioritize self-interest over collective welfare. "A Little Hero" tells the story of a boy who sacrifices his own happiness for the sake of others. Dostoevsky explores themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and the devastating consequences of societal pressures on the individual. With poignant storytelling, he reveals the capacity for both heroism and tragedy that lies within us all. Finally, "Mr. Prohartchin" explores the theme of moral decay in society through the eyes of the eponymous character. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing, post-Napoleonic Russia, this story delves into the destructive effects of greed, materialism, and moral corruption. Dostoevsky offers a scathing critique of a society that has lost its way, ultimately leaving readers with a haunting reflection on the fragility of morality. In this collection of stories, Dostoevsky showcases his remarkable ability to delve into the depths of the human experience. Through his rich character development, unflinching social commentary, and nuanced exploration of themes such as love, isolation, and the inherent contradictions within humanity, the author masterfully captures the essence of what it means to be human. These seven short stories are a testament to Dostoevsky's timeless brilliance and continue to enthrall readers with their piercing insights into the human condition.

The Christmas Tree and The Wedding is a work by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (11 November 1821 - 9 February 1881), sometimes transliterated Dostoevsky, was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist and philosopher. Dostoyevsky's literary works explore human psychology in the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmosphere of 19th-century Russia, and engage with a variety of philosophical and religious themes.He began writing in his 20s, and his first novel, Poor Folk, was published in 1846 when he was 25. His major works include Crime and Punishment (1866), The Idiot (1869), Demons (1872) and The Brothers Karamazov (1880). His oeuvre consists of 11 novels, three novellas, 17 short novels and numerous other works. Many literary critics rate him as one of the greatest psychologists in world literature. His 1864 novella Notes from Underground is considered to be one of the first works of existentialist literature.Born in Moscow in 1821, Dostoyevsky was introduced to literature at an early age through fairy tales and legends, and through books by Russian and foreign authors. His mother died in 1837 when he was 15, and around the same time he left school to enter the Nikolayev Military Engineering Institute. After graduating, he worked as an engineer and briefly enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, translating books to earn extra money. In the mid-1840s he wrote his first novel, Poor Folk, which gained him entry into St. Petersburg's literary circles.In the following years, Dostoyevsky worked as a journalist, publishing and editing several magazines of his own and later A Writer's Diary, a collection of his writings. He began to travel around western Europe and developed a gambling addiction, which led to financial hardship. For a time, he had to beg for money, but he eventually became one of the most widely read and highly regarded Russian writers. His books have been translated into more than 170 languages. Dostoyevsky influenced a multitude of writers and philosophers, from Anton Chekhov and Ernest Hemingway to Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean-Paul Sartre.In his youth, Dostoyevsky enjoyed reading Nikolai Karamzin's History of the Russian State, which praised conservatism and Russian independence, ideas that Dostoyevsky would embrace later in life. Before his arrest for participating in the Petrashevsky Circle in 1849, Dostoyevsky remarked, "As far as I am concerned, nothing was ever more ridiculous than the idea of a republican government in Russia." In an 1881 edition of his Diaries, Dostoyevsky stated that the Tsar and the people should form a unity: "For the people, the tsar is not an external power, not the power of some conqueror ... but a power of all the people, an all-unifying power the people themselves desired."While critical of serfdom, Dostoyevsky was skeptical about the creation of a constitution, a concept he viewed as unrelated to Russia's history. He described it as a mere "gentleman's rule" and believed that "a constitution would simply enslave the people".

"White Nights" is the story about a melancholic daydreamer, who spends his life idling in St. Petersburg and indulging in existential questions. He is so much in a world of his own that any actual real-life encounter leaves him bewildered and numb. Dostoevsky’s powerful and detailed psychological portrait makes the reader identify with the protagonist, who cannot but seek means of consoling him. One day a random encounter takes place and the story takes a surprising turn – only to leave the reader gasping for breath once the final pages come. Highly recommended for people who often feels the need to find an alternative to the grey and stifling everyday life. Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.