{"product_id":"a-bad-business-fyodor-dostoyevsky-9781805332060","title":"A Bad Business: Essential Stories","description":"\u003cb\u003eA collection of 6 thrilling short stories by the classic Russian author of \u003ci\u003eCrime and Punishment, \u003c\/i\u003efull of existential angst and wicked humor. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A sprightly new translation... [that] reminds us how extremely funny [Dostoevsky] could be.\" -\u003ci\u003eTimes Literary Supplement\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith stories ranging from impossible fantasy to scorching satire, this wonderful collection from the renowned author of \u003ci\u003eCrime and Punishment\u003c\/i\u003e is the perfect introduction to one of the greatest of all fiction writers. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA civil servant finds a new passion for his work - and a taste for fame - when he's swallowed alive by a crocodile. A struggling writer stumbles on a cemetery where the dead still talk to each other. An arrogant but well-intentioned gentleman provokes an uproar at a subordinate's wedding, and in the marital bed. A widowed pawnbroker remembers the events leading to his marriage, in an attempt to understand his wife's death. And a young boy finds unexpected salvation on a cold and desolate Christmas Eve. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis vivid new translation by Nicolas Pasternak Slater and Maya Slater illuminates Dostoyevsky's dazzling versatility as a writer. His remarkable short fiction swings from wickedly sharp humour to gripping psychological intensity, from cynical social mockery to moments of unexpected tenderness. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA microcosm of Dostoyevsky's themes, these stories offer existential insight, an indictment of social inequality, and extremes of agony and ecstasy. They also showcase his lesser-known comic mode, in flashes of satirical brilliance and antic farce. This collection provides a palette holding each shade of Dostoyevsky's talent - and of human experience.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Fyodor Dostoyevsky\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1805332066\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781805332060\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Pushkin Press Classics\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/25\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 228\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.81lbs","brand":"Fyodor Dostoyevsky","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48175843836159,"sku":"9781805332060","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_d46da097-0bd9-4a57-ada4-d19bf5ad3c76.jpg?v=1771336100","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-bad-business-fyodor-dostoyevsky-9781805332060","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}