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Poor Folk
Poor Folk | Fedor Dostoyevsky
1 post | 1 read | 3 to read
Poor Folk (Russian: Bednye lyudi), sometimes translated as Poor People, [note] is the first novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, written over the span of nine months between 1844 and 1845. Dostoyevsky was in financial difficulty because of his extravagant living and his developing gambling addiction; although he had produced some translations of foreign novels, they had little success, and he decided to write a novel of his own to try to raise funds. Inspired by the works of Gogol, Pushkin, and Karamzin, as well as English and French authors, Poor Folk is written in the form of letters between the two main characters, Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova, who are poor second cousins. The novel showcases the life of poor people, their relationship with rich people, and poverty in general, all common themes of literary naturalism. A deep but odd friendship develops between them until Dobroselova loses her interest in literature, and later in communicating with Devushkin after a rich widower Mr. Bykov proposes to her. Devushkin, a prototype of the clerk found in many works of naturalistic literature at that time, retains his sentimental characteristics; Dobroselova abandons art, while Devushkin cannot live without literature.
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Jamesmelvinmitchell
Poor Folk | Fedor Dostoyevsky
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This was Dostoyevsky‘s first novel. I think it is masterful, this is my favorite author and his works are fantastic. Russian literature is very formal but if you decide to read him don‘t get all caught up in pronunciations and just say it any way you want. The characters are well defined and the story is beautiful. 5/5

Texreader I‘ve only read Crime and Punishment back in high school, having chosen it for a thesis I had to write in advanced English. Probably a bit much for a 16 year old but I liked it well enough. I like your review. I‘ll have to try this one and see what 35 years does for my perspective. (edited) 5y
Lcsmcat I‘ve not read this one, but I love Dostoyevsky. Stacked. 5y
Jamesmelvinmitchell @lcsmcat @texreader I hope you two pick this up it is a very good read. 5y
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