The unnamed narrator of the novel a former government official has decided to retire from the
world and lead a life of inactivity and contemplation. His fiercely bitter cynical and witty
monologue ranges from general observations and philosophical musings to memorable scenes from
his own life including his obsessive plans to exact revenge on an officer who has shown him
disrespect and a dramatic encounter with a prostitute. Seen by many as the first existentialist
novel and showcasing the best of Dostoevsky's dry humour Notes from Underground was a pivotal
moment in the development of modern literature and has inspired countless novelists thinkers
and film-makers.
