"Notes from Underground" is a novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky, published in 1864. It's a work of philosophical and psychological fiction, and is considered by many to be one of the first existentialist novels.
The story is presented as a "confession" by an unnamed narrator, often called the Underground Man, a bitter and isolated former civil servant living in St. Petersburg. In the first part, the Underground Man expresses his alienation from society and attacks contemporary philosophies, particularly rational egoism and utopianism, asserting the importance of free will, even if it leads to suffering. The second part consists of the narrator recounting certain events from his life. He describes his troubled past experiences and his inability to interact with other people, which leads to failed relationships.
Page counts vary depending on the edition, but many editions are around 160-176 pages. "Notes from Underground" has had a lasting impact on literature, philosophy, and film and has influenced works by authors like Friedrich Nietzsche and Franz Kafka. Adaptations of the novella include a 1995 film directed by Gary Walkow and starring Henry Czerny, and a one-man stage adaptation performed by Larry Cedar.
