The Adolescent: New Translation

A young man struggles between pride, shame, and a desperate desire for power in St. Petersburg's high society.

Written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, this complex novel follows Arkady Dolgoruky, a nineteen-year-old illegitimate son of the charismatic and reckless aristocrat Versilov. Burdened by feelings of rejection and inferiority, Arkady adopts a secretive "idea" of accumulating vast wealth to gain absolute independence and power. As he navigates toxic family dynamics, romantic illusions, and blackmail schemes in St. Petersburg, he grapples with moral corruption and self-discovery. Dostoevsky's psychological depths often serve as inspiration for cinematic adaptations of his literary corpus.

➤ Highlights

• Illegitimate Heritage: Arkady struggles with the emotional trauma of his upbringing.
• The Grand Idea: He develops a secretive obsession with accumulating wealth for power.
• Toxic Family Dynamics: Reuniting with his charismatic father plunges him into chaos.
• Moral Turmoil: He battles between corrupt ambitions and personal conscience.
• Literary Depth: Dostoevsky’s psychological insights continue to inspire dramatic adaptations.