Notes From UndergroundNotes From Underground
Score Classic
What it's about
Written in 1864, Fyodor Dostoevsky's short novel is the confession of a bitter, isolated former official in St. Petersburg, the Underground Man, who rails against society, reason and himself, and then recounts the humiliating episodes that drove him underground.
Why it's worth reading
It's often called the first existentialist novel and one of the most influential works of modern literature.
You'll love it if you liked
Crime and Punishment
The Brothers Karamazov
The StrangerGood to know
It's short but intense. The first part is a philosophical monologue; the second tells a story.
By the numbers
- Readers71 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Reads as
Thought-provoking
More by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Brothers KaramazovCrime and Punishment
Demons
The IdiotIf you like this, read next
East of Eden
War and Peace
Augustus
Beloved
The Souls of Black Folk
The Master and MargaritaExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Notes From Underground worth reading?
Yes. It's often called the first existentialist novel and one of the most influential works of modern literature. It ranks #1,345 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Notes From Underground about?
Written in 1864, Fyodor Dostoevsky's short novel is the confession of a bitter, isolated former official in St. Petersburg, the Underground Man, who rails against society, reason and himself, and then recounts the humiliating episodes that drove him underground.
How long does it take to read Notes From Underground?
About 3 hours (126 pages), or about 6 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Notes From Underground?
If you liked it, try Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky or The Stranger by Albert Camus.