The Little Demon

📖 The Scoop

Fyodor Sologub's 'The Little Demon' is a masterful portrayal of the grotesque and the farcical, set against the backdrop of a restless 20th-century Russia. With a vivid narrative style that is both incisive and darkly comic, the novel captures the absurdity and tragedy of existence through its central figure, Peredonov. In this phantasmagoria of human folly, Sologub reveals the dark underbelly of provincial life, shedding light on a society in turmoil, rife with decadence and disillusionment. His style is tinted with a distinctively bitter edge, lending the text a unique place within the broader spectrum of Russian literary accomplishment, and inviting comparisons with contemporaries delving into antihero narratives and social critique. Author Fyodor Sologub, born as Fyodor Kuzmich Teternikov, was an integral figure of Russian Symbolism, his works known for their exploration of dark, often mystic elements and a preoccupation with themes of evil and the irrational aspects of the human psyche. 'The Little Demon' arguably stands as Sologub's seminal work, reflecting his cynicism towards society and his disillusionment with the false veneer of human civility. The narrative is imbued with his critical perspective on the soul-crushing bureaucracy and the darker corners of human nature, both of which resonate with his own experiences and broader social observations of pre-revolutionary Russia. With biting satire and a compelling antihero, 'The Little Demon' is a must-read for enthusiasts of Russian literature and those interested in the psychological and moral underpinnings of society. Sologub's adept manipulation of the macabre and the comical makes his novel an unforgettable literary experience, etching the characters and their plights into the reader's consciousness. The work strikes a chord with anyone captivated by the complex interplay between individual ambitions and societal norms, as well as the eternal human struggle between the base and the sublime. In its censored form, 'The Little Demon' remains a provocative and enlightening descent into the less-travelled corridors of classic Russian fiction.

Genre: Fiction / General (fancy, right?)