Notes From Underground

Fyodor Dostoevsky

1864

January, 2024

7.5/10

The first chapter is more of a philosophical treatise than anything. I can't say I was too fond of it. However, the end brought it all together in rather powerful way.

The second chapter provides a lot more insight into the relationships between the protagonist's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Dostoevsky does a good job in making these relationships clear and understandable.

While the focus is on a sequence of events that take place over just a few days, the depth of thought and elucidation of reason create a moving story that lays out the protagonist's mind. While what he does doesn't really "make sense," as a reader looking into his mind, it does make sense. And it's that very act of "making sense" which makes the story compelling.