F. M. Dostojewski
Der Idiot
Roman
Erster Band
München
R. Piper Co. Verlag
1922
[English Translation]
F. M. Dostoyevsky
The Idiot
Novel
First Volume
Munich
R. Piper Co. Publishers
1922
CONDITION:
VOLUME I ONLY OF A TWO-VOLUME SET. Overall condition is Good. Cloth boards with paper paste-up. The covers and boards are Good, showing bumped corners, moderate edgewear, and moderate rubbing. The spine is Good, exhibiting fraying and moderate rubbing. The hinges and joints are Good. The text block and pages are in Very Good condition. The endpapers are good, with a price written and light toning.
ATTRIBUTES:
Hardcover. Bound in cloth over boards.
DESCRIPTION:
Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, "Der Idiot" (The Idiot), delves into the complexities of human nature and society through the character of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin. Myshkin, often perceived as an "idiot" due to his profound innocence, open-heartedness, and guilelessness, serves as Dostoevsky's attempt to portray "the positively good and beautiful man." The narrative explores the impact of such a pure individual on the corrupt and materialistic 19th-century Russian society, highlighting themes of love, forgiveness, redemption, and the clash between idealism and the harsh realities of the world.
Dostoevsky, a renowned Russian novelist, short story writer, and philosopher, is celebrated for his deep psychological insights and exploration of the human condition. His works often grapple with profound philosophical and religious themes, influenced by his own intense personal experiences, including a mock execution and epileptic seizures. He is considered one of the greatest novelists in both Russian and world literature, with his writings significantly impacting 20th-century fiction, literary modernism, existentialism, and various schools of psychology and theology.
"Der Idiot" holds significant literary importance as it represents Dostoevsky's endeavor to test the ideal of true Christian love against the backdrop of contemporary Russian society. Collectors find this book interesting not only for its profound thematic content and its place within Dostoevsky's influential body of work, but also for the author's unique approach to character development and narrative. Dostoevsky himself considered "The Idiot" to be his favorite among his works, despite acknowledging its structural imperfections, emphasizing his commitment to the core idea. The novel's exploration of a Christ-like figure navigating a flawed world continues to resonate with readers and scholars, making it a cornerstone of Russian literature.
FLASHBACK TO 1922 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1922, the world was still reeling from the Great War, with Germany experiencing hyperinflation and political instability, while the Irish Civil War raged and the Ottoman Empire formally dissolved. T.S. Eliot's *The Waste Land* and James Joyce's *Ulysses* redefined literature, Howard Carter unearthed Tutankhamun's tomb, and insulin was first successfully used to treat diabetes, marking a year of profound upheaval and groundbreaking discovery.
Page Count: 565
Location: ABS-1-2