Notes From Underground Books: A review on the Fyodor Dostoevsky novel “Notes from Underground” in honor of its 160th anniversary Notes From Underground Books:

Russian author Fyodor Doestoevsky is the best author of all time. There’s simply no other way to put it, as his display of nihilism through inner monologue — the notion that nothing matters — left me with a feeling of divine purpose and outlook on life. 

In “Notes From Underground ”, Dostoevsky warns the reader of the political nihilism of the 1860s in this novelia. It’s not necessarily chaos per-se, just the idea that not only do your actions not matter, but that only by rejecting the “straightjacket of society” can you truly become free.

The book follows an unnamed man who has isolated himself from the world, ranting about how unbalanced society is in 17th-century Russia. The author is from the same area, and has his character express immense hate towards all humans and their unpredictability, including himself. 

This paradoxical and illogical outlook on life was revolutionary to this day, as it developed early works of realistic fiction and messages of systemic change through large analysis.

These topics are not only complex but were somewhat unheard of at the time of its release. By representing the rationalist ideals of his time, Dostoyevsky confronts issues that are rather uncomfortable to reference in his time specifically due to the inclination of a utopia (a perfect society) being in Russia.

I consider “Notes From Underground” to be the most difficult of Dostoyevsky’s books to read, as it comments on political and social dynamics that may seem outdated or backwards. However, it also is the shortest, coming in at only 136 pages and is what I will recommend to start with after “Crime and Punishment.” 

By utilizing dark and immense imagery from within the narrator’s mind, Dostoyevsky is able to convey his narrator’s dark thoughts into the reader’s mind, meticulously representing the characters’ irrational thinking as the rational.

It is taught and frequently discussed at Rockhurst High School according to sophomore Henry Scheiderer, proving its relevance to be immense despite its age. I find it very incredible how a piece of fiction can not only shape how we look at society more than a century and a half later but also be integral to the true will of someone’s free mind. The idea that the only way we can truly be free is through separation is a contention that hadn’t been put into fiction prior, and may never have the same impact again.   

I strongly encourage every reader to read Dostoyevsky at some point in their lives. No matter how long it takes them, no matter how difficult to comprehend the information is (I needed to read it twice to write a vague review about it for perspective), everyone should read “Crime and Punishment”, “Notes from Underground”, and “The Brothers Karamazov” to expand not only their ability to read translated and difficult material, but their outlook on the world around them

I see no reason why anyone would not want to read this book, even if you don’t enjoy it I feel as if there is something for everyone to learn from it.