Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-81), author of Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov, is rivaled only by Leo Tolstoy in terms of achievement and influence. This study is a guide to his life as a writer and his literary legacy. Dostoevsky's greatness lies in his searing insight into the human psyche in all its forms, from the most saintly to the most pathological. He combines the greatest sense of evil with the most sublime belief in a Christian God.
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Accessible and affordable illustrated biography Library Journal This latest biography of Dostoevsky will come as a relief to initiates, as it provides easy access through relative brevity and simple explanations of the author's complicated life and works. Other biographies of Russia's literary kingpin have been voluminous studies, more geared to scholars and devout followers than novices or casual readers. Freeborn (A Short History of Modern Russia) has expertly tailored Dostoevsky to this latter group, explaining many of the book's references and presuming little about his readers' prior knowledge. The result is a biography that, while short, is neither shallow nor superficial. Freeborn's particular strength is his ability to show the confluence of circumstances-both personal and historical-that could have produced the seeds of Dostoevsky's novels and stories. To track an author's life down to particular moments of inspiration is a rare feat indeed and deserves to be commended. Recommended for public and academic libraries.-Maria Kochis, California State Univ., Sacramento Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Preface1Becoming a Man3From Poor Folk to Penal Servitude20Siberia and Silence37From Time to the Underground49Crime and Punishment63Second Exile. The Idiot80The Devils92Return to Russia108The Brothers Karamazov117Final Triumph130Notes138Chronology148Further Reading154Picture Sources157Index158About the author167
\ Library JournalThis latest biography of Dostoevsky will come as a relief to initiates, as it provides easy access through relative brevity and simple explanations of the author's complicated life and works. Other biographies of Russia's literary kingpin have been voluminous studies, more geared to scholars and devout followers than novices or casual readers. Freeborn (A Short History of Modern Russia) has expertly tailored Dostoevsky to this latter group, explaining many of the book's references and presuming little about his readers' prior knowledge. The result is a biography that, while short, is neither shallow nor superficial. Freeborn's particular strength is his ability to show the confluence of circumstances-both personal and historical-that could have produced the seeds of Dostoevsky's novels and stories. To track an author's life down to particular moments of inspiration is a rare feat indeed and deserves to be commended. Recommended for public and academic libraries.-Maria Kochis, California State Univ., Sacramento Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \
