The Idiot

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Idiot
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Translated by Constance Garnett
Introduction and notes by Agnes Cardinal
Series edited by Dr. Keith Carabine
SeriesWordsworth Classics
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:592
Dimensions(mm): Height 198,Width 129
Category/GenreClassic fiction (pre c 1945)
ISBN/Barcode 9781853261756
ClassificationsDewey:891.733
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Imprint Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Publication Date 5 December 1996
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Translated by Constance Garnett, with an Introduction and Notes by Agnes Cardinal, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of Kent. Prince Myshkin returns to Russia from an asylum in Switzerland. As he becomes embroiled in the frantic amatory and financial intrigues which centre around a cast of brilliantly realised characters and which ultimately lead to tragedy, he emerges as a unique combination of the Christian ideal of perfection and Dostoevsky's own views, afflictions and manners. His serene selflessness is contrasted with the worldly qualities of every other character in the novel. Dostoevsky supplies a harsh indictment of the Russian ruling class of his day who have created a world which cannot accomodate the goodness of this idiot.