Devils (Wordsworth Classics)

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1871-72 novel 'Devils' is a masterpiece. The centrality of the narrative rests on the insidious, pernicious impact on all social tiers of a Russian town of a revolutionary cell in its midst. No less horrific is the cynicism and viciousness of the infighting conducted by the insurrectionists. Dostoevsky foreshadows by nearly half a century the terrifying signature features of the Bolshevik coup in 1917 - super smart, vengeful and venomous leaders using charisma, skullduggery and fear to mesmerise and outmanoeuvre the naive and the savvy alike. It's a layered, violent, unnerving story with social, spiritual and philosophical elements laced with the author's trademark ability to deploy both darkness and humour with impeccable timing. 'Devils' contains 694 pages - £2.69 from Amazon including the p&p is a steal.

I really like the Constance Garnett translations of Dostoevsky. Amazing how inexpensive these editions are! And I literally ordered them in the evening and had them in my hands before noon the following day. Bravo, Amazon Prime!Also, its often said that this may be the greatest political novel ever written- I would believe that. I highly recommend it.

Very relevant warning against Woke. Guaranteed to be ignored.

Having read ‘Crime & Punishment”, “The Brothers Karamazov,” “The Idiot,” “Notes from Underground,” and “The Double,” albeit a number of years ago—and considering myself somewhat of a Dostoyevsky fan—I decided to give “Devils” a go. It is often referred to as his “masterpiece, or “psychological masterpiece.” It is surely therefore a must read.I have to say, I found the first several hundred pages a turgid experience. I was introduced to a myriad of characters, none of which were particularly engaging, and I found the plot pretty boring and uninteresting. For some time, I was unable to read more than a dozen pages before laying it to the side. Once I start a book though, I am determined to finish it, and whilst wilting on several occasions, I persevered, and I think I’m glad I did.In the final third of the book, the action starts to ramp up, and we end up with political intrigue, duplicity, tragedy, arson, murder, and suicide. We get to know the characters much better, and their multiple flaws are laid bare. At the same time, the author aligns his characters flaws with the problems affecting the country in general, therefore casting a critical eye over the psychology of a country as well as its inhabitants. One can therefore understand why the book is considered a masterpiece, but it takes quite some time to arrive at that realisation. I’m still a Dostoyevsky fan.

Good edition at a fantastically low price.

The book was delivered on time! I am very excited to start the book!!!

Humorous, farcical, horrifying, politically prophetical, with philosophy and farce raised to heights of genius and Dostoevsky writing at the peak of his powers. An excellent translation, specially valuable for the inclusion of the confession in the chapter 'At Tihon's'.

I've not read this book yet but for the price you get a lot of pages. It's meant to be a classic. This beats rubbish blue rays of superhero films any day.