Dear Dostoevsky
A letter to my favourite author on his birthday
Dear Dostoevsky,
Wherever you are I want to wish you happy birthday. I dunno whether you liked birthdays or not.
Many of your readers are celebrating your works even today.
I’ve gifted your books to seven of my Twitter/X followers so far. One of them is going to read The Brothers Karamazov in Tamil as a result of this birthday giveaway.
So, yeah I am beating your drums.
Antidote to Grief— Understanding
I just want to let you know how much of a huge influence you’ve been in the last one year. Many say that your works are read by depressed and sad people. This may or may not be true.
I bought The Brothers Karamazov when I was kinda happy. It is such a tome. I barely read it when I was in the happy mood.
But I was a devastated and broken guy when I picked White Nights. The story you’ve written is actually my story. It was so cathartic to know that I was not the only one who went through such a horrible human interaction.
This was a sad story, sure.
But it made me realise the anatomy of grief, loneliness and sorrow. The understanding that I gained has actually helped me find solutions. Further, this understanding resolved the mental conflict and confusion.
In real terms, the description/treatment of grief, pain and loss described in your work makes people come to terms with reality and move ahead to a happier place.
Life Changing Book
White Nights convinced me to get back to The Brothers Karamazov. I was actually very busy with work and life when I decided to read this book. But, I carved out time for this.
I read twenty pages everyday and finished it after a few months. Reading this book was a transformative experience for me. Its impact was ten times more than White Nights.
The chapter The Grand Inquisitor is probably the greatest piece of writing I’ve ever read on the topic of religion. It is simply scintillating.
I didn’t know what stuff you smoked up while writing this. Or maybe you’re a natural genius like Elon Musk. But I must say the chapter Pound of Nuts made me weep. It made me weep for my inner child.
Your characters Grushenka and Katerina made me understand the nature of women who had been a part of my life. I could make no sense out of their behaviour and ways. Their behaviour had left me in a state of limbo, guilt and shame.
But when I understood such characters through your lens, it all made sense. It finally made sense. There was nothing I could have done to fix them.
Paths to be avoided
Later, I finished The Meek One and Notes from Underground. These stories further made me understand human nature. I realised what I should not do to avoid the fate of the underground man.
Only by examining the nature of negativity and gloom can one understand the nature of positivity and bliss. You’ve created these literary milestones that every man can pass on the way to a better life.
I am not sure if this was intentional or accidental. Many may not agree with me and still brand you as a writer for depressed people. But in reality you are the writer for those who want to rise from the depths of grief and despair.
You help people see the brutal realities of human nature. As a result, you equip them to find happiness in spite of the circumstances thrown at them.
I’ve still not read The Idiot, but your quote ‘beauty will save the world’ is quite true. I have been strolling in art galleries and parks to find beauty in the world.
It truly makes sense. My aesthetic sensibilities have been instrumental in overcoming all kinds of negative emotions.
Truth-seeking
I have got your quote printed on a t-shirt.
Above all, don’t lie to yourself.
A simple yet revolutionary statement. I can lie to others and put up a show in front of the world. But I can’t lie to myself. Nobody can.
Every individual will have to face themselves by the end of the day.
Anyway, I shall end this letter by thanking you again.
Thank you for leaving behind this amazing body of work. I shall gorge all your books in the coming days.
Regards,
Nithesh