Notes from the Underground is a novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1864. It is considered by many to be one of the first existentialist novels. The story follows an unnamed narrator, a bitter and isolated man living in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is a former civil servant who has retired to a life of seclusion and contemplation. He is deeply resentful of the world around him and expresses his contempt for society and its conventions. The narrator's musings are divided into two parts. In the first part, he reflects on his own life and the world around him. He expresses his contempt for the superficiality of society and its conventions, and his disdain for the hypocrisy of the upper classes. He also expresses his hatred of the government and its oppressive policies. In the second part, the narrator recounts a series of events from his past. He recounts his failed attempts to find love and his struggles with depression and loneliness. He also recounts his experiences with gambling and his attempts to find meaning in life. The novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the struggles of the individual in a society that is often hostile and oppressive. It is a powerful indictment of the hypocrisy and superficiality of society and its conventions. It is also a powerful exploration of the individual's search for meaning and purpose in life.
By Fyodor Dostoevsky · First published 1864 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Realism, Satire · 21 chapters