The Adolescent
New Translation
(Author) Fyodor DostoevskyAmong Dostoevsky's later novels, The Adolescent occupies a very special place: published three years after The Devils and five years before his final masterpiece, The Karamazov Brothers, the novel charts the story of nineteen-year-old Arkady – the illegitimate son of the landowner Versilov and the maid Sofia Andreyevna – as he struggles to find his place in society and “become a Rothschild” against the background of 1870s Russia, a nation still tethered to its old systems and values but shaken up by the new ideological currents of socialism and nihilism. Both a Bildungsroman and a novel of ideas, dealing with themes such as the relationship between fathers and sons and the role of money in modern society, The Adolescent – here presented in a brand-new translation by Dora O'Brien – shows Dostoevsky at his finest as a social commentator and observer of the workings of a young man's mind.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881) was a Russian novelist and philosopher known for his psychological depth and existential themes. His most notable works include "Crime and Punishment," "The Brothers Karamazov," and "Notes from Underground." Dostoevsky's writing style is characterized by its intense exploration of human nature, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of the human psyche. His works have had a profound impact on literature, inspiring generations of writers with their profound insights into the human condition. "Crime and Punishment" is widely regarded as his most famous work, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. Dostoevsky's contributions to literature have solidified his legacy as one of the greatest novelists in history.