Uncle`s Dream; and The Permanent Husband by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

This volume brings together two distinct novellas by the celebrated Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Uncle’s Dream and The Permanent Husband. Uncle’s Dream is a satirical comedy set in the provincial town of Mordasov. The plot revolves around the arrival of a wealthy, elderly prince, sparking a flurry of opportunistic matchmaking and social maneuvering among the local elite. It showcases Dostoyevsky’s sharp wit and his early ability to critique the pretensions of provincial high society. The Permanent Husband is a psychological study of betrayal and obsession. The story follows Velchaninov, a man who encounters the husband of a former mistress, leading to an intricate and unsettling exploration of the power dynamics between the two men. It provides a deeper look into the complex, often tortuous interpersonal relationships that would become a hallmark of Dostoyevsky’s later masterpieces. Together, these works represent the range of Dostoyevsky’s literary talent, moving from light-hearted social satire to the profound psychological depth that defined his career. This collection is essential reading for those interested in 19th-century Russian literature and the development of the psychological novel. #Dostoyevsky #RussianLiterature #Classics #Satire #Psychological #Fiction