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.