64 pages • 2 hours read
Fyodor DostoevskyThe Idiot
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1869A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky follows Prince Lev Myshkin, a good-natured but financially ruined aristocrat who returns to Russia after years of treatment in Switzerland. He enters the societal whirl of love, deceit, and rivalry involving Nastasya Filippovna and the Epanchin family. The story is a profound exploration of human complexity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. This book includes themes of mental illness, violent conflict, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dostoevsky’s The Idiot is lauded for its deep psychological exploration and complex characters, particularly Prince Myshkin. However, its intricate plot and extensive philosophical digressions can be seen as challenging. While many appreciate the novel’s ambitious themes and moral questions, others find it dense and difficult to follow.
Who Should Read The Idiot?
A reader who enjoys The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky is typically drawn to complex character studies, psychological depth, and moral dilemmas. Fans of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Camus' The Stranger will appreciate its exploration of human nature and societal critique. Lovers of Russian literature and existential themes will find it compelling.