Poor Folk (Readings Classics) - Readings | Fyodor dostoevsky

Originally published in 1846, Poor Folk is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s remarkable debut novel, which immediately established him as a powerful new voice in Russian literature. Written in the form of letters exchanged between the humble government clerk Makar Devushkin and the young seamstress Varvara Dobroselova, the novel offers a moving portrayal of poverty, dignity, and human resilience.

Through their heartfelt correspondence, Dostoevsky captures the struggles of the poor in St. Petersburg—loneliness, social humiliation, and the yearning for compassion—while also reflecting on the broader injustices of society.

✨ Themes:

• The harsh realities of poverty and social inequality

• The power of kindness, love, and human connection

• Early insights into Dostoevsky’s later psychological and moral explorations

🎯 Why It’s Recommended:

Poor Folk remains one of Dostoevsky’s most touching and socially conscious works, foreshadowing the depth of human psychology he would later explore in masterpieces like Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. This edition makes the classic accessible to modern readers while preserving its emotional intensity.