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Dostoevsky: The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871 by Frank Joseph

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The years following Dostoevsky's return from exile in Siberia were a period of intense creative activity and personal transformation. During this time, he published some of his most famous and influential works, including Crime and Punishment and The Idiot. These novels not only solidified his reputation as one of the greatest writers of all time but also profoundly impacted Russian literature and thought.

Dostoevsky: The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871 (DOSTOEVSKY (FRANK, JOSEPH))

by Joseph Frank

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2258 KB
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Print length	:	528 pages

In his book, The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871: Dostoevsky's Journey from Exile to Faith, Frank Joseph provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Dostoevsky's life and work during this transformative period. Drawing on extensive research and a deep understanding of Dostoevsky's psyche, Joseph offers a nuanced and compelling account of the writer's struggles, triumphs, and the profound insights that shaped his literary genius.

Dostoevsky's Return from Exile

In 1859, Dostoevsky was released from his ten-year exile in Siberia. He had been arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in a radical political group, and his experience of the harsh conditions in prison deeply impacted his worldview. Upon his return, Dostoevsky was a changed man, both physically and psychologically. He had lost his faith in the utopian ideals of his youth, but he had also gained a profound understanding of human nature and the complexities of the human condition.

Literary Breakthrough: 'Notes from Underground'

Dostoevsky's first major work after his return from exile was Notes from Underground. This novella, which was published in 1864, marked a departure from his earlier works. In Notes from Underground, Dostoevsky explores the dark recesses of the human psyche and delves into the psychological turmoil that can accompany alienation and despair. The protagonist of the novella, an unnamed underground man, is a deeply cynical and self-destructive individual who rebels against societal norms and rationalism.

The Genesis of 'Crime and Punishment'

Notes from Underground was a critical and commercial success, and it established Dostoevsky as a leading figure in Russian literature. It also proved to be a key stepping stone on the path to his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment. Dostoevsky began working on Crime and Punishment in 1865, and the novel was published in 1866. It tells the story of Raskolnikov, a brilliant but impoverished student who murders an elderly pawnbroker to test his own beliefs and prove his superiority.

Raskolnikov is a complex and deeply flawed character. He is an atheist who believes that he is above the laws of morality. However, after committing the murder, he is plagued by guilt and remorse. Crime and Punishment is a profound exploration of the human soul and the nature of good and evil. The novel had a profound impact on Russian society and remains one of the most widely-read and influential novels of all time.

'The Idiot' and the Search for Meaning

In 1868, Dostoevsky published The Idiot. This novel is a complex and multifaceted work that explores the nature of suffering, faith, and redemption. The protagonist of the novel, Prince Myshkin, is a pure and innocent young man who is often seen as a Christ-like figure. Myshkin's journey through life is a tragic one, but he ultimately finds redemption through his unwavering faith and love.

The Idiot is a powerful and moving novel that offers a profound meditation on the human condition. It is a work of both great beauty and great pain, and it remains one of Dostoevsky's most enduring and beloved works.

Dostoevsky's Influence on Russian Thought

Dostoevsky's works had a profound impact on Russian thought and culture. His novels and essays explored the most fundamental questions of human existence, and they challenged the dominant intellectual currents of his time. Dostoevsky was a deeply religious man, and his work is infused with a profound sense of spirituality. He believed that human beings are capable of both great evil and great good, and he explored the tension between these two impulses in his work.

Dostoevsky's insights into human nature and the human condition remain relevant today. His work continues to be read and studied around the world, and it continues to inspire and provoke readers.

The years from 1865 to 1871 were a transformative period in Dostoevsky's life and career. During this time, he published some of his most famous and influential works, and he emerged as one of the most important figures in Russian literature. Dostoevsky's novels and essays offer a profound meditation on the human condition, and they continue to have a profound impact on readers around the world.

Frank Joseph's The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871: Dostoevsky's Journey from Exile to Faith is a valuable and insightful exploration of this transformative period in Dostoevsky's life and work. Joseph provides a nuanced and compelling account of Dostoevsky's struggles, triumphs, and the profound insights that shaped his literary genius. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Dostoevsky, Russian literature, or the human condition.

Dostoevsky: The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871 (DOSTOEVSKY (FRANK, JOSEPH))

by Joseph Frank

5 out of 5