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ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Russian Literature / Political Fiction / Philosophical Novel

Book Review:
''Demons'' is Dostoyevsky's most terrifying novel, not because of ghosts or monsters, but because of its chilling prophecy of the political horrors of the 20th century. It tells the story of a revolutionary cell in a small Russian town, a group of nihilists and fanatics who are willing to destroy everything—including themselves—in the name of their cause. The novel is a savage satire of the intellectual fashions of the time, but it's also a profound exploration of the psychology of terrorism. The characters are unforgettable: the manipulative Verkhovensky, the beautiful and doomed Stavrogin, and the possessed Shigalyov, who proposes a system of total control. The novel builds to a series of horrifying climaxes, including a murder that is as shocking as anything Dostoyevsky ever wrote. It's a long and demanding book, but it's also one of his greatest. A masterpiece that feels more relevant than ever.