44 pages • 1 hour read
Fyodor DostoevskyThe Double
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1846A 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 Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky follows Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin, a socially awkward bureaucrat in 19th-century Saint Petersburg, who becomes increasingly paranoid as his life is disrupted by the arrival of a man who looks exactly like him. This double gradually takes over Golyadkin's personal and professional life, leading him into a downward spiral of fear and confusion. The novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and mental health.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Reviews for Dostoevsky's The Double highlight its psychological depth and exploration of identity crisis, often praising its complex character development and dark, satirical tone. However, some readers find the narrative dense and the protagonist's descent into madness unsettling. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human nature, albeit challenging for some.
Who Should Read The Double?
A reader who would enjoy The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky is likely fascinated by psychological depth and existential themes. This novel appeals to fans of Kafka's The Metamorphosis and Camus's The Stranger. Such readers appreciate exploring the human psyche and societal alienation through richly complex characters and intricate narratives.