Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky is both celebrated and critiqued. Admirers praise its deep psychological exploration and the raw, introspective portrayal of the human condition. Detractors, however, find its narrative style fragmented and the protagonist excessively nihilistic. Overall, it remains a seminal work in existential literature.

Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Notes from Underground.

Readers who enjoy introspective, philosophical, and psychologically complex narratives akin to Albert Camus' The Stranger or Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis will find Notes from Underground engaging. Such readers usually appreciate existential themes, moral dilemmas, and the exploration of the human psyche.

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky is an 1864 novella divided into two parts: Part 1 is a philosophical monologue by the 40-year-old Underground Man, who is disillusioned with society and explores ideas like determinism and human nature; Part 2 recounts events from his early adulthood, highlighting his interactions with coworkers, classmates, and a woman named Liza, ultimately revealing the roots of his nihilistic outlook. The novella references sex trafficking.

Contemplative / Mysterious / Melancholic / Dark / Challenging

- Notes from Underground is considered by many to be one of the first existentialist novels, setting the stage for a genre that would explore the complexities of human free will and irrationality.
- The novella introduces a "hyperconscious" protagonist, reflecting Dostoevsky's deep interest in psychology and foreshadowing themes he would later expand upon in works like Crime and Punishment.
- The philosophical ideas presented in Notes from Underground heavily influenced 20th-century existential thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.

**The Underground Man**  
The anonymous protagonist and narrator, a retired civil servant living in isolation on the outskirts of town who grapples with his disdain for society and his own self-loathing.

**Liza**  
A young woman working in a brothel whom the Underground Man meets, notable for her initial resignation to her situation and her interactions with the narrator.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Before You Read

Explore Notes from Underground reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Notes from Underground | SuperSummary

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Overview

Explore the world of the Underground Man, the anti-hero in Dostoevsky’s influential work. Check out this accessible summary of Notes From Underground.

Notes from Underground Summary and Study Guide

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Get ready to explore Notes from Underground and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Notes from Underground Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Underground”

Part 1, Author’s Note-Chapter 5

Notes from Underground Part 1, Author’s Note-Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-11

Notes from Underground Part 1, Chapters 6-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Apropos of the Wet Snow”

Part 2, Epigraph-Chapter 5

Notes from Underground Part 2, Epigraph-Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 6-10

Notes from Underground Part 2, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Notes from Underground Character Analysis

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Themes

Notes from Underground Themes

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Notes from Underground Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Notes from Underground Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Notes from Underground Essay Topics

Notes from Underground

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