The possessed
The Possessed, also translated as The Devils or Demons, was published by Fyodor Dostoyevsky in 1871 and 1872 and grew out of a real case, the murder of a student by Nechayev's revolutionary circle in 1869. In a provincial town a cell of radicals led by the manipulative Pyotr Verkhovensky, son of the town's aging liberal, plots to spread chaos, while the enigmatic Nikolai Stavrogin, whom they hope to make their figurehead, drifts toward his own destruction. The novel is savage political satire, a gallery of murder, suicide and madness, and a serious inquiry into what happens when a generation loses faith in God. Constance Garnett's translation first brought it to English readers in 1913. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The possessed
The possessed by Fyodor Dostoyevsky can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The possessed online?
Yes. The possessed opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The possessed free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The possessed is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The possessed in the public domain?
Yes. The possessed by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Constance Garnett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The possessed?
About 16 h 55 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The possessed?
The possessed by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
