The Idiot

A gentle and naive epileptic prince returns to St Petersburg, where his charm captivates a family. His life spirals into chaos upon encountering the enchanting Nastasya Filippovna, leading to love and betrayal.

In Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Idiot, we follow the journey of Prince Myshkin, a gentle and naive epileptic who returns to St. Petersburg after spending time in a Swiss sanatorium. Upon his arrival, he visits his distant relative, General Yepanchin, and quickly wins over the General, his wife, and their three daughters with his charm and innocence. However, Myshkin's life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a photograph of the captivating Nastasya Filippovna, igniting a deep infatuation that entangles him in a tumultuous love triangle.

As Myshkin becomes increasingly involved with Nastasya, he finds himself immersed in a world rife with blackmail, betrayal, and ultimately, murder. Through the character of Prince Myshkin, Dostoyevsky explores themes of innocence and the challenges it faces in a society driven by greed and corruption. The prince embodies the notion of a 'truly beautiful soul,' reminiscent of Christ, and his experiences highlight the harsh realities that can mar such purity.

This Penguin Classics edition, translated by David McDuff, captures the novel's unique language and the intricate flow of its narrative. It also features a thought-provoking introduction by William Mills Todd III, which delves into the pressures Dostoyevsky faced while crafting the story of his Christ-like protagonist. The Idiot serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of human nature and the often-painful consequences of unwavering goodness in a flawed world.