Dostoevsky's influence on the modern literary mind is unrivaled in its scope and vitality. Nowhere does his art appear in so quintessential a form as in Notes from Underground, certainly one of the most revolutionary and original works in world literature. Nowhere is his thought presented with such authority as in "The Grand Inquisitor," an episode of central importance taken from his last and greatest novel, The Brothers Karamazov. In both these vital works Dostoevsky confronts the reader with the tragic grandeur of man -- indeed, with a whole philosophy of tragedy -- the tragedy of the individual and freedom, the tragedy of historical progress, the tragedy of universal evil.
Both Notes from Underground and "The Grand Inquisitor" are presented here in the Constance Garnett translations scrupulously revised by the editor. In addition, of particular interest and importance is the unique background material for Notes from Underground selected and translated by Professor Matlaw, much of it previously unavailable in English. This material includes passages from Chernyshevsky's What Is to Be Done?, selections from Dostoevsky's Letters and Winter Notes on Summer Impressions, Shchedrin's satire on the Notes called "The Swallows," and Dostoevsky's equally satiric rebuttal, "Mr. Shchedrin, or, Schism among the Nihilists."
ISBN 10: 0452010934
ISBN 13: 9780452010932
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Publication: 1991/07/25
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