White Nights, by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky's novella "White Nights" is a melancholy exploration of loneliness, dreams, and unmet wishes. The novel is set in St. Petersburg during it's long summer nights, and follows an unnamed narrator who feels himself always an outsider. During one of his night time walks, he meets a young woman called Nastenka, and they have an intense, yet fleeting, association. Through their dialogues, the short story descends into the nuances of human connection and the agony of impractical love.

White Nights reads like a confessional, with Natenska serving as Dostoevsky's cathartic rather than a sincere love. Throughout the story, he convinces himself that he is revealing his soul to this woman. He finds comfort in doing so, which I feel could be relatable to many readers. Loneliness can cause people to turn others into fantasy. White Nights is about the virtues of being a dreamer, but also the importance of not turning people into one.

Reviewed by E.F., Grade 12

Glendale Central Library