The Idiot
Complete textPrince Myshkin returns to Russia after treatment abroad and enters a social world quick to interpret his openness as foolishness. His relationships with Nastasya Filippovna, Rogozhin, and the Epanchin family draw him into conflicting desires. Attempts at compassion become difficult to separate from the consequences they create.
Continue readingAbout The Idiot
The novel tests what sincerity can accomplish among people accustomed to suspicion, performance, and wounded pride. Myshkin’s willingness to listen does not make him an all-knowing judge or guarantee that his kindness will be received as intended. Compare the meanings others attach to pity, especially when a compassionate gesture can be experienced as recognition, humiliation, or obligation.
Reading focus
Consider the possibilities and limits of sincere compassion when people interpret kindness through jealousy, pride, and earlier experiences of humiliation.
This reading edition contains 243,741 words in 50 original sections. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.
Opening excerpt
Towards the end of November, during a thaw, at nine o’clock one morning, a train on the Warsaw and Petersburg railway was approaching the latter city at full speed. The morning was so damp and misty that it was only with great difficulty that the day succeeded in breaking; and it was impossible to distinguish anything more than a few yards away from the carriage windows.
Contents
All sections- PART I — I.20 min
- PART I — II.19 min
- PART I — III.24 min
- PART I — IV.25 min
- PART I — V.30 min
- PART I — VI.20 min
- PART I — VII.23 min
- PART I — VIII.24 min
- PART I — IX.14 min
- PART I — X.12 min
- PART I — XI.13 min
- PART I — XII.19 min
- PART I — XIII.16 min
- PART I — XIV.18 min
- PART I — XV.17 min
- PART I — XVI.22 min
- PART II — I.18 min
- PART II — II.26 min
- PART II — III.27 min
- PART II — IV.10 min
- PART II — V.23 min
- PART II — VI.25 min
- PART II — VII.16 min
- PART II — VIII.32 min
- PART II — IX.23 min
- PART II — X.24 min
- PART II — XI.26 min
- PART II — XII.12 min
- PART III — I.28 min
- PART III — II.24 min
- PART III — III.30 min
- PART III — IV.28 min
- PART III — V.27 min
- PART III — VI.33 min
- PART III — VII.26 min
- PART III — VIII.26 min
- PART III — IX.25 min
- PART III — X.13 min
- PART IV — I.23 min
- PART IV — II.16 min
- PART IV — III.21 min
- PART IV — IV.23 min
- PART IV — V.34 min
- PART IV — VI.28 min
- PART IV — VII.33 min
- PART IV — VIII.35 min
- PART IV — IX.23 min
- PART IV — X.25 min
- PART IV — XI.26 min
- PART IV — XII.7 min
Reading & download help
Is this the complete The Idiot?
This edition contains the complete English literary text, with 50 sections and 243,741 words. This reading edition preserves the checked English text and its section order. No study notes have been added.
Which PDF should I choose?
A4 is designed for 210 × 297 mm paper; US Letter for 8.5 × 11 inch paper. Both contain the same complete text, selectable text and section bookmarks.
Can I read without signing up?
Yes. Online reading and both PDFs are free. Reading settings and progress stay on this device.