The Possessed (The Devils)

The Possessed, also known as The Devils, is a novel written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1872. Set in 19th-century Russia, the story revolves around a fictional town which experiences political and social turmoil as it becomes a breeding ground for radical ideologies and revolutionary movements. The novel features a diverse cast of characters, each representing different aspects of Russian society. The protagonist, Nikolai Stavrogin, is a charismatic and enigmatic figure who captivates the town's inhabitants with his charm but remains emotionally detached and morally ambiguous.

The central conflict arises when a group of disaffected intellectuals, known as the 'nechaevists', led by the passionate and fanatical Pyotr Verkhovensky, attempts to bring about a violent revolution in the town. Verkhovensky aims to dismantle traditional social structures and replace them with a nihilistic ideology, emphasizing destruction and chaos.

As the nechaevist movement gains momentum, Skotoprigonyevsk descends into anarchy, with tragic consequences.

An allegory of the potentially catastrophic consequences of the political and moral nihilism that were becoming prevalent in Russia in the 1860s, The Possessed is considered one of four masterpieces written by Dostoevsky after his return from Siberian exile.

This translation by Constance Garnett was first published in 1916.