Devils

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1871-72 novel 'Devils' is a masterpiece. The centrality of the narrative rests on the insidious, pernicious impact on all social tiers of a Russian town of a revolutionary cell in its midst. No less horrific is the cynicism and viciousness of the infighting conducted by the insurrectionists. Dostoevsky foreshadows by nearly half a century the terrifying signature features of the Bolshevik coup in 1917 - super smart, vengeful and venomous leaders using charisma, skullduggery and fear to mesmerise and outmanoeuvre the naive and the savvy alike. It's a layered, violent, unnerving story with social, spiritual and philosophical elements laced with the author's trademark ability to deploy both darkness and humour with impeccable timing. 'Devils' contains 694 pages - £2.69 from Amazon including the p&p is a steal.

Very relevant warning against Woke. Guaranteed to be ignored.

I really like the Constance Garnett translations of Dostoevsky. Amazing how inexpensive these editions are! And I literally ordered them in the evening and had them in my hands before noon the following day. Bravo, Amazon Prime!Also, its often said that this may be the greatest political novel ever written- I would believe that. I highly recommend it.

The Master strikes pure gold as always.

Humorous, farcical, horrifying, politically prophetical, with philosophy and farce raised to heights of genius and Dostoevsky writing at the peak of his powers. An excellent translation, specially valuable for the inclusion of the confession in the chapter 'At Tihon's'.