The Double (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels) Paperback – March 12, 1997

Although I would not necessarily argue that this is Dostoevsky's best novel, it nevertheless is my favorite. It is short and relatively uncomplicated. A man who is so insecure that he constantly places himself in situations where he knows he is going to be slighted and insulted finally projects a copy of himself into what he thinks is the real world. This copy or "double" of himself, however, is very comfortable in polite society, is well liked and promoted at work. The double is a hallucination on the part of "Mr. Golyadkin," but he fits into every facet of the protagonist's life, at first humble and friendly, later mocking and undermining, and finally part of Mr. Golyadkin's total moral destruction. The Double has many points in common with the unnamed narrator of Notes from Underground who elevates man's habit of acting against his own best interests practically to a religion. This narrator is also undone by forcing himself on people who he knows will reject him.

Not as pleasing to read as some of his other works but still worth the purchase.

Having read and enjoyed "Crime and Punishment" years ago, I really looked forward to reading "The Double". I found, reading this book was akin to walking through sludge in a pair of bedroom slippers.Dostoevsky introduces the reader to Yakov Petrovitch Golyadkin, an office worker living in Moscow. Not only are we introduced to him, but embark on an often frustrating and confusing journey through Golyadkin's mind, as he's psychologically falling apart. This mental collapse resulted in this reader feeling trapped a "maze-like" story, where twists and turns left me confused, having to reread sentences and even backing up to reread pages to see where I had become confused (and never finding the source of confusion). Dostoevsky was skillful in his manner of writing, as I can only infer, what the mind of a person who is losing theirs, endures. As I read, I felt physically bound to Golyadkin, as if tethered to him This further resulted in feeling even more constricted, confined, frustrated and confused. I don't know if Dostoevsky intended for the reader to experience such emotion and physical connection, however, it was my experience and found it brilliant, although hating it at the same time.Adding to this frustration was the constant repetition of the names. Nevermind Russian is difficult to roll off this American reader's tongue, was it really necessary to repeat names over and over, and to have to say first, middle and last each time? Perhaps this is typical of Russian dialogue during this time period, however, it added to the chaotic nature of the story.I could never determine whether "the double" was an actual person, or one drawn in Golyadkin's mind. Although other characters seemed to interact with "Junior", was it because he was real or was it Golyadkin's perception of the situation? Could this uncertainty be another of Dostoevsky's crafts, further enhancing the chaotic state of Golyadkin's mind? Whatever the case, I found it frustrating to not know, but ok with not knowing, as it fit with the story.I cannot say I enjoyed this book, as it was difficult and not comfortable or relaxing, which is why I read. It was, however, skillful and emotional, also why I read. As a book, it fulfilled its duty to escort me to another world and time, taking me on a journey I otherwise would not have experienced. In that sense, "The Double" was a worthy read.

Not bad for an early Dostoyevsky! The writing has peculiar period Russian society expressions. I suspect Fyodor was high on staring at himself in the mirror with a flickering candle and became mesmerized with his image. And now that I read other comments in regard the poor translation I suggest we learn another lesson... there is good and there is gooder and there is goodest! lol

This edition was full of typos. If I didn't have hard copy as well, some parts would have been incomprehensible.

A very strange story with a mysterious East European bent. A remarkable movie was created from this novel and for a few hours of reading the reader gets years of contemplation of its meaning.

Makes you go to another place in your mind. You can use your brain and stretch it . Learn something new from a old master. This will always be current. It's science fiction but sometimes we feel Iike crazy things are happening to us and like with fairy tails for children it helps us with our daily troubles.

I just ordered this edition of The Double because it was simply cheap. When I started reading it, I realized the many typos and horrible grammar. There are times where I'm not sure what is going on because the translation is so poor at telling this story. Do not buy this translation. It's not worth wasting your time on. Instead I will have to delete this version and buy a different one with a more competent translator. All of this because they were too cheap to actually get a professional translator.

I purchased this book in the Everyman's Library Classics Edition.The Everyman's Library Classics Edition books are, in my opinion, the best quality books available in the price-range.They are quality bound; with acid-free paper, dust jacket, and ribbon page marker.There are also a great range of authors available in this collection; and they are very reasonably priced.

absulity brand new with plastic on it I had to open it and the short novels were great

An intriguing short novel, which I have begun over again. While lacking the multitude of very distinctive characters who tend to populate Dostoevsky's works, here we have a superb portrait of one: Golyadkin, who exists in two different versions. At the same time there is a clear ambiguity throughout the novel, making it difficult to say anything with utter clarity. This made me interested in how other readers had tackled or interpreted the piece. I thought the synopsis on Wikipedia was appalling, suggestive as it was of a very insensitive reader who will not allow the ambiguity that is part of the fabric of this delightful read. Kafka's The Trial, which also intrigues, delights and horrifies me, and is a greater novel than this one, seems less original after discovering the blueprint offered here: in The Double it could be we are plunged into an especially elaborate dream of the protagonist, one creating a narrative out of his state of mind. We are certainly not in a naturalistic novel, even supposing Golyadkin is having a nervous breakdown: breakdowns surely never take the form of what we find here. No, we are in more Kafkaesque territory - before Kafka came along, yet what particularly appeals in this case is Dostoevsky's very light touch. Nabakov, a vile mediocre author, is all of a piece with the insanity that troubles this work with his insulting lies about one who is, thankfully, now increasingly being recognised as the world's greatest novelist, and this is a rewarding early grappling with a psychological face he would mine later more extensively.

`The Double', Dostoevsky's second publication, was a vast improvement on his first short novel in letters `Poor Folk'. The latter had a poor intrigue, had no real characters (only types), was a would-be tearjerker and was pure expression of rather childish emotions without real impact on the reader.`The Double' is already an excellent character study of a `double' personality: a (too) good, servile one and its counterpart, an evil, cynical parasite.However, Dostoevsky's book is no challenge for Gogol's formidable masterpiece with the same theme `The Diary of a Madman'. His book is too long; the intervention of the protagonist's human environment seems to be too slow. The scenes are not incisive enough and not always convincing.This book is not a good introduction to Dostoevsky's major works. His short novels, like `White Nights', `The Eternal Husband', `The Gambler', `Uncle's Dream', are real gems.Only for Dostoevsky fans.

Love the book