Poor Folk

De: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, C. J. Hogarth - translator

Narrado por: Jonathan Keeble, Julie Teal

Upon its first publication in 1846, "Poor Folk" was an immediate critical triumph. The influential critic Vissarion Belinsky wrote that "the novel reveals secrets about life and character-types in Russia of a kind never dreamt of by anyone else," and the unknown twenty-five-year-old author was hailed as "the new Gogol." Composed entirely of an exchange of letters between a middle-aged copy clerk and a young seamstress who live on opposite sides of a Petersburg tenement courtyard, the novel explores the emotional and psychological effects of a threatening urban environment on the psyches of poor people struggling to survive. "Poor Folk" is the natural beginning point for anyone who discovers Dostoevsky, and the present translation corrects numerous errors and inaccuracies of previous English language editions. The novel occupies a position of particular interest in both the history of Russian literature and Dostoevsky's work as a whole. Several lines of development in Russian prose interest: sentimentalism, naturalism, the physiological sketch, and the phenomenon of Gogol, with whom Dostoevsky maintains a dialogue throughout the novel.

Public Domain (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd

it was kind of depressing yet oddly relatable.

It show an interesting view on to poverty. interesting in that you see the same issues in modern poverty. There are clear societal differences yet poverty hasn't changed.

Dickens on Steroids

Poor Folk by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky was his first novel, written at the age of 24 and published in 1846.

The story unfolds entirely through letters between two characters living in St. Petersburg:
• Makar Devushkin, an aging, insecure civil servant
• Varvara Dobroselova, a beautiful but impoverished young woman

Makar is deeply in love with Varvara. His love is unrequited. She cares for him as a loyal and trusted friend, fully aware of his feelings but unable to return them.

Their correspondence ranges widely. They discuss:
• Poetry
• Theater
• Gardening
• Their painful pasts
• Above all, their shared love of books

They survive on the margins of society, sometimes lending each other money when reduced to their last kopeck. They attend the theater when they can, take walks, and mostly sustain themselves through conversation and intellectual companionship.

When Varvara falls ill, we see more clearly how poverty spreads outward — affecting not just individuals, but everyone orbiting them.

The novel feels Dickens-like in its attention to the poor and its moral tenderness. Yet even at 24, Dostoevsky goes beyond social realism. He layers deep psychological introspection into the humiliation of poverty. We witness Makar’s acute awareness of status, his shame, his longing to escape degradation — and his desperate need to preserve dignity.

Dostoevsky’s empathy rushes forward from the page. He understands what it means to suffer not only from hunger or cold, but from social invisibility.

There are brilliant moments created by the epistolary structure: dialogue between two people separated by time, responding to emotional echoes rather than immediate reactions. Both Makar and Varvara are intelligent and perceptive writers — a subtle reminder that even the “smallest” people contain immense inner worlds.

Dostoevsky sprinkles in tongue-in-cheek commentary, playfully critiquing certain literary traditions — Shakespeare occasionally — while treating figures like Pushkin with clear reverence.

I found Poor Folk deep, moving, introspective, entertaining, and formally experimental.

I rank it:
• #4 among Dostoevsky’s novels
• #20 in my overall canon
Here are my top quotes from the book:

“I am nothing, but still I am a man.”

“I may be insignificant, but I feel everything.”

“I am not complaining; I am only explaining.”

“I am a poor man, but I have feelings.”

“When one is in a low position, one must not only endure poverty, but one must also endure humiliation.”

A Must for Fans of Dostoevsky

I only give 4 stars for the story because this was Dostoevsky’s first work.

It shows signs of a first work.

BUT, if you love Dostoevsky, it’s a must - particularly the closing chapters, which show signs of excellence in what’s to come.

The performance is very good.

Great first novel from the master

I would also suggest The Injured and Insulted. In that book they reference this one quite a lot. Also, Gogol and Pushkin both are excellent as the tie ins suggest.

Great book, great narration

One of the most well narrated audiobooks in my library. The actors, particularly the male one, have captured the characters well, making for an impactful experience.