
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky, a master of psychological drama, spent much of his life exploring the darkest corners of the human soul, perhaps inspired by his own near-death experience in front of a firing squad. After dodging execution, he was sent to Siberia, where he wrote some of his most profound works while also grappling with epilepsy and a serious gambling problem. His novels may be heavy, but his life was a rollercoaster of existential dread, bad luck, and literary brilliance.
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In Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky takes us into the mind of Raskolnikov, a poor student who murders an old pawnbroker and spends the rest of the novel grappling with guilt and moral confusion. It’s a psychological deep dive into the idea that maybe, just maybe, axing someone for a little extra cash isn’t the best path to enlightenment. Ultimately, it’s a grim reminder that no matter how clever you think you are, your conscience will always find a way to ruin your day—and your sanity.

The Brothers Karamazov is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece that tackles big questions of faith, free will, and patricide, as three brothers with wildly different philosophies grapple with their dysfunctional family dynamics. With its mix of murder, existential debates, and some of the deepest conversations ever had over vodka, it’s a novel that leaves you questioning life’s meaning. In short, it’s a philosophical rollercoaster where family drama becomes a battleground for the soul.