A review by tomdonlon98
Notes from Underground and the Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Interesting social commentary on 19th century Russia in both books, Dostoevsky uses his protagonists to challenge contemporarily accepted social practices and to shine a light on their cracks. Notes from underground is a distinctly more aggressive story, in that the protagonist is disillusioned and discordant with his place in society. As a clerk he feels worthless and powerless to change an oppressive regime, he turns his attention internally instead. The double was a slightly tougher read, with less wit than the prior, but the discourse on identity and social position is valuable and interesting to consider.