Poor Folk

Two souls bound by letters, love, and hardship.

In Poor Folk, Fyodor Dostoevsky's debut novel, the struggles of poverty are brought vividly to life through an intimate exchange of letters between Makar Devushkin, a humble government clerk, and Varvara Dobroselova, a young woman facing her own trials. Through their correspondence, we witness a tender friendship—and possibly love—blossoming in the shadow of social inequality.

First published in 1846, Poor Folk earned Dostoevsky immediate acclaim and introduced the compassion, psychological insight, and social awareness that would define his later masterpieces. This deeply human story captures the dignity, resilience, and quiet tragedies of everyday life among Russia's poor.

"The novel that announced Dostoevsky's genius to the world."

– The Guardian

"A compassionate and timeless portrait of the human condition."

– The New York Times

Why Readers Love It:

Told entirely through moving personal letters

A touching glimpse into 19th-century Russian life

Dostoevsky's remarkable literary debut

Click 'Buy Now' to discover the heartfelt story that began Dostoevsky's journey as one of literature's greatest voices.