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DOSTOEVSKY, Fyodor (1821-1881). Besy. [The Devils, sometimes The Possessed or Demons.] St Petersburg: for the author by K. Zamyslovskii Press, 1873.
The first edition of one of Dostoevsky's great novels, and the first of his books published by Dostoevsky himself. Besy captures 'the full grandeur of Dostoevsky's extraordinary endeavor, which is nothing less than to write a symbolic history of the moral-spiritual travails of the Russian spirit' (Frank, pp.430-434). It is his most overtly political work, and a ruthless exposition of contemporary revolutionary movements. The serialisation of this work, in Katkov's periodical The Russian Messenger, broke down when Katkov refused to print 'Stavrogin's Confession', an episode which he found particularly shocking. Kilgour 281.
Three parts in one volume, octavo (205 x 145mm). With all the half-titles and the leaf of quotations (occasional light scattered spotting; a few leaves with a shallow crease; two or three short marginal tears). Contemporary black half-morocco, spine in compartments and lettered directly in gilt (sides scuffed; corners rubbed). Provenance: indistinct ownership signature on the blanks.
The first edition of one of Dostoevsky's great novels, and the first of his books published by Dostoevsky himself. Besy captures 'the full grandeur of Dostoevsky's extraordinary endeavor, which is nothing less than to write a symbolic history of the moral-spiritual travails of the Russian spirit' (Frank, pp.430-434). It is his most overtly political work, and a ruthless exposition of contemporary revolutionary movements. The serialisation of this work, in Katkov's periodical The Russian Messenger, broke down when Katkov refused to print 'Stavrogin's Confession', an episode which he found particularly shocking. Kilgour 281.
Three parts in one volume, octavo (205 x 145mm). With all the half-titles and the leaf of quotations (occasional light scattered spotting; a few leaves with a shallow crease; two or three short marginal tears). Contemporary black half-morocco, spine in compartments and lettered directly in gilt (sides scuffed; corners rubbed). Provenance: indistinct ownership signature on the blanks.
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