Poor Folk

"Poor Folk" (also translated as "Poor People" or "Poor Folk's Correspondence") is the first novel written by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was published in 1846 and is an epistolary novel, meaning it is written in the form of letters exchanged between the two main characters. The story is a correspondence between Makar Devushkin, a down-and-out civil servant living in extreme poverty, and Varvara Dobroselova, a young woman who lives in the same boarding house. Makar expresses his love and devotion to Varvara through his letters, despite their dire financial circumstances. "Poor Folk" is often considered a precursor to Dostoevsky's more well-known works and provides insights into his exploration of human psychology, social issues, and the struggles of the impoverished in 19th-century Russia. The novel is also notable for its portrayal of the deep emotional connection between its two central characters, and it is an early example of Dostoevsky's distinctive narrative style and themes.