The Crocodile: A Forgotten Gem of Russian Satire by the Author of Crime and Punishment - Paperback

by Fyodor Dostoevksy (Author)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's darkly humorous tale offers a biting social commentary on the political, social, and economic themes prevailing in Russia at the time of its writing.

The story follows Ivan Matveevich, a middle-class bureaucrat, who is swallowed alive by a crocodile during a visit to the Passage on Nevsky Avenue. Instead of being digested, Ivan finds himself trapped inside the crocodile's stomach, still conscious and able to communicate.

As Ivan becomes an attraction exhibited in a traveling show, the crocodile, named Anton, becomes a sensation, attracting crowds of curious onlookers.

Ivan's predicament serves as a metaphor for the absurdity and cruelty of society, as people flock to see him without showing any empathy or concern for his well-being. Through this grotesque and satirical narrative, Dostoyevsky masterfully blends humor with profound insights into human nature, social class, and the nature of freedom.

Author Biography

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is a renowned fiction writer, essayist and philosopher. He was born in Moscow and studied from 1838 to 1843 at the Military Engineering College at St. Petersburg. Following the success of his debut novel "Poor Folk" in 1846, he was arrested and sentenced to death (later commuted to exile) in 1849 for participating in the Petrashevsky Circle. Among his most important works are "Notes from the Underground, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Possessed, " and "The Brothers Karamazov."
S. D. Cioran is Professor Emeritus of Russian literature at McMaster University. His other translations include Sologub's "The Petty Demon" and Saltykov's "The Golovlyov Family, " both available from Ardis.