Carnet d'un inconnu (Stépantchikovo) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Description

Carnet d’un inconnu by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around Colonel Yégor Ilitch Rostaniev, who retires to his inherited estate in Stépantchikovo with his two children. As his domestic life becomes increasingly complicated due to the influence of Foma Fomitch, a peculiar reader and a former buffoon, the colonel’s good nature is tested amidst the scheming of family and social dynamics in the village. The opening of the novel introduces us to the colonel’s life, his background, and his familial relations, particularly with his mother, the general who has a strong hold over him, and his children, who are navigating their own challenges. It sets the stage for a conflict between the colonel’s kind-heartedness and the manipulative presence of Foma Fomitch, who has inexplicably assumed authority in their household. As the colonel grapples with his responsibilities and the expectations of those around him, the narrative hints at the intricate social interplay and moral questions that will unfold, drawing readers into the tumultuous landscape of 19th-century Russian society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)