The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Idiot follows Prince Lev Myshkin, a kind-hearted but socially awkward man who returns to Russia after years in a Swiss sanatorium. His innocence clashes with the greed, pride, and moral corruption of St. Petersburg’s elite, particularly as he becomes entangled with the fiery Nastasya Filippovna and the unstable merchant Parfyon Rogozhin. Dostoyevsky explores themes of goodness, sacrifice, and the struggle to maintain integrity in a cynical world. The novel’s rich character development and intense psychological depth reveal the complexities of human nature, questioning whether true compassion can survive in a society obsessed with power and status. Myshkin’s tragic journey underscores the tension between idealism and reality, leaving readers to ponder the cost of authenticity.