Scandalous story (also known as A dirty story) is one of the funniest stories by this master of humor who was also Dostoyevsky. Shortly before the abolition of serfdom in Russia in 1861 and in the midst of a period of reforms, a senior state official, Ivan Pralinsky, young and full of ideals, had dinner with two older colleagues. The champagne warms him up: we must go to the people, we must implement “humanitarianism towards subordinates” who will adore their superiors in return.
On the way back and while his coachman has left him behind, he learns that not far away the wedding party of one of his subordinates, Pseldonimov, is taking place. Is it a sign of destiny that pushes him to apply his ideas? No matter, he’s going to invite himself to the wedding. All will greet his magnanimous presence, all will listen to him, all will fall in adoration before him, before his goodness and his greatness of soul. But nothing is going to go as planned…
Satire of good feelings and ideals detached from realities, Scandalous story is one of Dostoyevsky’s most current and biting texts, and the sumptuous illustrations by Georges Annenkoff underline its irresistible humor.
2024-01-03 01:43:58
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