Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time is a definitive biography of Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the greatest novelists of all time. Written by Joseph Frank, a leading scholar of Russian literature, this book offers an in-depth exploration of Dostoevsky’s life, influences, and literary achievements. Originally published as a five-volume work, this single-volume edition condenses Frank’s extensive research into a more accessible format while preserving the depth and richness of his analysis.

Frank masterfully blends biographical detail with literary criticism, examining how Dostoevsky’s turbulent life—marked by political exile, financial struggles, epilepsy, and personal tragedies—shaped his writing. He explores Dostoevsky’s transformation from a radical intellectual to a deeply religious thinker and his development as a novelist who explored the darkest and most profound aspects of the human condition.

The book delves into Dostoevsky’s major works, including Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, Demons, and The Brothers Karamazov, situating them within the historical and philosophical context of 19th-century Russia.