The Possessed

Demons is a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in the journal The Russian Messenger in 1871-72. It is considered one of the four masterworks written by Dostoevsky after his return from Siberian exile, along with Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and The Brothers Karamazov. As Dostoyevsky predicted, The Devils, or The Possessed, was indeed denounced by radical critics as the work of a reactionary renegade. But radicals aside, it enjoyed great success both for its literary power and for its explicit and provocative politics; and for its story of Russian terrorists plotting violence and destruction, only to murder one of their own numbers.

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, born on October 30, 1821, in Moscow, was a Russian writer, philosopher, and translator, considered one of the greatest authors in world literature. His work is distinguished by its deep psychological analysis and exploration of moral and existential conflicts, exerting a lasting influence on literature, psychology, and philosophy.In 1849, he was arrested and sentenced to death for his involvement in the radical Petrashevsky Circle. However, his sentence was commuted to exile in a Siberian labor camp, where he spent four years. This experience profoundly influenced his writing. After his release, he resumed his literary career and created such outstanding works as Crime and Punishment (1866), The Idiot (1869), Demons (1872), and The Brothers Karamazov (1880).His works often explore themes of redemption, faith, guilt, and free will, and his novel Notes from Underground (1864) is considered a precursor to existentialist literature. Additionally, Dostoevsky is known for his detailed depictions of the spiritual and emotional crises of his characters, making him one of the most studied authors in psychological and literary circles.Fyodor Dostoevsky passed away on January 28, 1881, in St. Petersburg. His work continues to be studied and adapted across various forms of art.