Yet Demons is neither a polemic nor a piece of propaganda, It is far too comedic on one hand and far too tragic on the other.

It appears this was the intention from the beginning of the project, Dostoevsky described his intention in creating a ‘pamphlet novel’ in response to the many radical and political activist pamphleteers which were operating in Russia at that time (Kjetsaa). However, in Demons the examples sourced from reality are far more numerous and are portrayed in a far sharper light, leaving far less ambiguity. Dostoevsky’s other works have indeed featured characters and events inspired by reality, for instance, Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment was loosely based on Pierre François Lacenaire, a French would-be poet and murderer in addition, the murder of Fyodor Karamazov in The Brothers Karamazov was thought to be inspired by a similar case of patricide committed by a soldier in the town of Omsk. Demons is not exempt from this variation and among its many particularities the most distinguishing feature is its allegorical style and direct inspiration by real-life figures and contemporary events. This is not meant as a criticism or a suggestion of homogeneity across these works, for in each Dostoevsky plays upon these expansive themes in infinitely creative ways, helped by his much discussed ‘polyphonic’ approach to characterisation (Bakhtin). The book’s themes can likely be guessed at by one familiar with Dostoevsky’s work, such as nihilism, moral decay, atheism, faith, suicide, depravity, redemption, nationalism, and socialism. Within Dostoevsky’s later works the novel Besy, or Demons, has a peculiar presence and yet the novel is hardly out of place among Dostoevsky’s other post-exile masterpieces – Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov. Well, and what about 100% right? Whoever says he’s 100% right is a fanatic, a thug, and the worst kind of rascal.

But what’s to be said about 75% right? Wise people say this is suspicious. And if someone is 6o% right, it’s wonderful, it’s great luck, and let him thank God.

When someone is honestly 55% right, that’s very good and there’s no use wrangling.

Demons dostoevsky review