Poor Folk

Summary

"Poor Folk" is the debut novel of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, first published in 1846. It's presented in epistolary form, primarily comprising letters between two distant relatives, Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova, who are both poor inhabitants of St. Petersburg. Through their correspondence, the book explores the life of the urban poor in Russia and the challenges they face. The novel delves into themes of poverty, societal class structures, and the emotional toll of destitution. The relationship between the two characters, rooted in genuine concern but tainted by their challenging circumstances, provides a heartfelt, tragic view into 19th-century Russian society.