Crocodile and Other Stories (riverrun Editions): Dostoevsky's finest short stories in the timeless translations of Constance Garnett

Dostoevsky's stories are like jokes and anecdotes, told by volatile, voluble, morbidly sensitive, and frustrated characters, with a tendency to express themselves in crescendos of conflicting emotions. Michael Wood's selection of shorter works is drawn from the timeless translations of Constance Garnett.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2019
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

From an early age, I have embraced my ridiculous nature, recognizing it as an inherent part of myself. Perhaps it was evident from the very moment I took my first breath. A man's descent into madness often stems from his overwhelming happiness. In the realm of civil service, a person can transform into a monstrous creature, exhibiting unbecoming behavior at a wedding celebration. Meanwhile, a man finds himself being swallowed whole by a crocodile, yet miraculously escapes without sustaining significant harm. Dostoevsky's stories, much like his novels, exude a volcanic atmosphere, teeming with curiosity and exceptional circumstances. They bear resemblance to jokes and anecdotes, delivered by volatile, effervescent, morbidly sensitive, and frustrated characters. These narrators often express themselves in crescendos of conflicting emotions, while the stories themselves refrain from reaching grand conclusions.

Michael Wood's meticulous selection of Dostoevsky's shorter works is culled from the enduring translations of Constance Garnett, whose work, as he states in his preface, offers readers the finest of multiple worlds. Constance Garnett's translations have become renowned for their fidelity to Dostoevsky's original text, preserving his intricate prose and profound insights. Through her meticulous work, Garnett has brought Dostoevsky's stories to a wider audience, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of his literary creations.

In conclusion, Dostoevsky's stories, like his novels, possess a volcanic essence, filled with curiosity, exceptionality, and the nuanced expressions of troubled characters. Michael Wood's selection of shorter works, translated by Constance Garnett, allows readers to delve into the depth and complexity of Dostoevsky's world, experiencing the timeless brilliance of his writing in a fresh and captivating manner.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 193 x 117 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787478244