Записки из Мертвого дома

This book shows life in prison, day by day. It explores the inmates’ pasts and their private thoughts. The main figure is Alexander Goryanchikov. He is a nobleman whom a court found guilty of killing his wife. Through his eyes, we see how violence becomes routine. We see hard labour wear down strong men.

This is a work of classic Russian fiction. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky based it mostly on his own life. He spent four years at forced labour in Omsk. He also drew on his exile over the Petrashevsky affair. The book was an early work on prison life. It helped shape Russian writing. Omega-L publishes this paperback edition.