Poor Folk

Poor Folk is a book by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1846, and marks the author’s striking literary debut. Emerging during a period of social and political unrest in Imperial Russia, this early work helped establish Dostoevsky as a fresh and provocative voice in Russian literature. Its epistolary format - told through personal letters - offers a close, human view of poverty and social struggle, themes that would shape much of his later writing and cement his influence in realist fiction. The story centres on Makar Devushkin, a humble government copyist, and Varvara Dobroselova, a young woman living under difficult circumstances. Through their heartfelt correspondence, the novel traces their daily challenges, hopes, and fears, giving readers an intimate look at life on the margins. Rather than focusing on grand events, the narrative dwells on ordinary existence, exploring dignity, compassion, and the emotional weight of hardship. The realism is grounded and unembellished, painting a vivid picture of St. Petersburg’s poorer quarters. As their relationship deepens, the letters unveil a portrait of two individuals trying to preserve their sense of worth in a world shaped by economic struggle and rigid social expectations. Dostoevsky’s insight into psychology and his ability to evoke empathy are already evident here, making Poor Folk both a compelling character study and a foundational text in his body of work. For readers interested in Russian classics, early realist literature, or reflective narratives about class and society, this novel remains an enduring entry point into Dostoevsky’s larger oeuvre. This translation by C. J. Hogarth was first published in 1915.