The Idiot

First published in 1869, "The Idiot" is a novel by the renowned Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It tells the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, who returns to Russia after spending years in a Swiss sanatorium. Despite being genuinely kind, compassionate, and possessing an almost Christ-like innocence, Myshkin is perceived by the society around him as an "idiot." The novel delves into the complexities of the human soul, exploring themes of goodness, love, society's moral degradation, and the repercussions of unbridled ambition. As the narrative unfolds, Prince Myshkin gets entangled in a love triangle and a series of tragic events that underscore Dostoyevsky's critiques of Russian society and his exploration of the nature of good and evil.