The House of the Dead and Poor Folk

By Joseph Frank and Fyodor Dostoevsky

Book Overview

&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LI&&RThe House of the Dead and Poor Folk&&L/I&&R, by &&LB&&RFyodor Dostoevsky&&L/B&&R, is part of the &&LI&&R&&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R &&L/I&&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R: &&LDIV&&RNew introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the readers viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics &&L/I&&Rpulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each readers understanding of these enduring works.&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R &&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&RArrested in 1849 for belonging to a secret group of radical utopians, &&LB&&RFyodor Dostoevsky&&L/B&&R was sentenced to four years in a Siberian labor camp--a terrible mental, spiritual, and physical ordeal that inspired him to write the novel &&LI&&RThe House of the Dead&&L/I&&R.&&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RTold from the point of view of a fictitious narrator--a convict serving a ten-year sentence for murdering his wife--&&LI&&RThe House of the Dead&&L/I&&R describes in vivid detail the horrors that Dostoevsky himself witnessed while in prison: the brutality of guards who relish cruelty for its own sake; the evil of criminals who enjoy murdering children; and the existence of decent souls amid filth and degradation. More than just a work of documentary realism, &&LI&&RThe House of the Dead&&L/I&&R also describes the spiritual death and gradual resurrection from despair experienced by the novel's central character--a reawakening that culminates in his final reconciliation with himself and humanity.&&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RAlso included in this volume is Dostoevsky's first published work, &&LI&&RPoor Folk&&L/I&&R, a novel written in the form of letters that brought Dostoevsky immediate critical and public recognition.&&LBR&&R&&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&LSTRONG&&RJoseph Frank&&L/B&&R&&L/B&&R is Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature at Princeton University and Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature and Slavic Languages and Literature at Stanford University. He is the author of an acclaimed five-volume study of Dostoevsky's life and work.&&L/P&&R&&L/DIV&&R

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593081944
• ISBN13: 9781593081942
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble Classics
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

Poor Folk was the story that brought Dostoyevsky to fame, and reading it here you can see why. It is an extremely powerful and moving story. From the very beginning the story is dripping with emotion, and their pain and destitution are almost palpable to the reader. The letters passed between Makar and Varvara are filled with so many differing emotions and the longing that is so evidently present forces the reader to become involved in the story. Once that happens you find yourself rooting for these characters. You will find yourself sharing in their pain and rejoicing in every triumph no matter how fleeting they are. I am a pretty stoic individual. I don't wear my emotions on my sleeves, but with Poor Folk there were a few times where as I read I felt that lump in my throat and felt my eyes come close to filling up. There have been very few books that have ever affected me this strongly. It was simply powerful. The House of the Dead is another important Dostoyevsky work. What Dostoyevsky seems to do better than anyone else is to cut open all the veneer that covers and hides human beings. His writing is like a surgeon's knife that opens up the body and exposes what is inside. He shows readers the inner workings of the human mind like no other writer I have ever come across, and this is something he does very well here. I think one of the reasons this story needs to be read is to get a better understanding of Dostoyevsky himself. Even though this story is fiction, it still sheds light on his experience and gives the reader some greater insight into the man. Both of these stories are extremely important, and they are so well written that they are enjoyable reads as well. They don't require as much from the reader like some of his other works like The Brothers, but at the same time these books are just as rewarding. This book is the book that I would recommend to someone who hasn't read Dostoyevsky but is looking to. They are powerful works that are sure to make brand new fans, while at the same time they are not as involved and difficult as some of his longer works. Of course I don't have to recommend this book to any fan of Dostoyevsky because if you are a fan then you have gorged yourself on everything of his you can find.