Fyodor Dostoevsky’s A NOVEL IN NINE LETTERS now on www.readingwithjimmy.com

The website that brings the classics to life by READING them with you adds Dostoevsky’s complex short story to its growing collection for readers of all ages and levels.

Palatine, IL – The website that promises “The joy of language is that it should be read aloud” and does so with classics has added Fyodor Dostoevsky’s A Novel in Nine Letters, a complex, letter-narrated story of betrayal and subtleties in a Czar-ruled Russia. Located at https://www.readingwithjimmy.com/a-novel-in-nine-letters/ on the website www.readingwithjimmy.com, the 29-minute reading is shown in text while read aloud for easy-to-follow narration in one part, followed by a two-part 75 minute analysis also read aloud with text for easy understanding.

“A Novel in Nine Letters is one of the most under-rated stories ever written,” says Jim Nowakowski (a.k.a. Jimmy). “since first published in 1847. That’s because it’s told in nine letters – making it extremely complex for today’s readers who like everything in bullet points. But life isn’t bullet points,” Nowakowski adds. “In fact, this story reflects more about what’s going on in real life than real life itself.”

The plot – which has to be pieced together by details within the nine letters – involves two married couples and a character named Yevgeny Nikolaitch. Nikolaitch is a character only referred to in the letters; he never writes any of the letters himself. Yet, he is the root cause of what goes on between the two letter writers: Ivan and Pytor. We only find out at the end of the story that Yevgeny has been a lover of the wives of the two men.

“Like life, you never really know people until perhaps it’s too late,” Jimmy explains in the extended analysis. “That is, unless you start paying attention to the clues life gives you which is what we do in the analysis of this story.”

Nowakowski compares reading classic literature to reading people – gestures, word choices, actions – they all mean something to people who pay close attention. Only in real life, it’s hard to get a replay. “In classical literature, you can read, re-read, study and then read again,” he says.

“Dostoevsky in this short story has painted a complex picture that couldn’t be told except by a master storyteller,” Jimmy adds. “Most people know Dostoevsky as a someone penetrating the depths of a person. But in this wonderful short piece, he has created another kind of masterpiece: one that reflects the deception of people on other people.”

Analysis includes Jimmy’s illustration for easy reference to examine the narration in the letters that go back and forth, and a timeline, which is critical to understanding the truth of what happens.

“You realize when you examine these letters, it’s like a detective working out a case,” Jimmy says. “You realize eventually that there was a deal made between Ivan and Pyotr that involved Yevgeny, who had his own motives for being involved with the men: their wives. In fact, Tatyana, Ivan’s wife, married Ivan before the letters started because of her involvement with Yevgeny.”

Nowakowski says it’s like you are a lawyer trying to untangle the “facts of the case” to get at the real truth and all you have are these documents. Just like in real life,” he adds. “you hear things, you see things, and you try to figure out if it’s true or not. Look at what we see and hear about the drones in New Jersey and elsewhere. Does anyone know the truth?”

In literature, according to Nowakowski, the evidence is there – “if you look for it.”

Besides, that’s the charm of a classic he adds. “You can read it over and over again and get more and more out of it.”

Nowakowski, who has an M.A. and B.A. in English, notes that central questions exist in every classic that lead us to examine our own motivations, the motivations of others, and then make decisions in our life. “Literature is language charged with meaning, as Ezra Pound said. It’s what’s missing in today’s society,” he adds. “You learn how others lead their lives and how to lead yours.”

A Novel in Nine Letters joins a growing number (now at 29) of other classics on www.readingwithjimmy.com, including Lysistrata, To Build a Fire, The Diary of a Madman, A Farewell to Arms, and more. Representing over 200 hours of content, the readings can also be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@readingwithjimmy.

For more information on this or other classics, contact: Jimmy [email protected]

EDITOR’S NOTE. To arrange an interview with Jim Nowakowski (Jimmy), email him at [email protected].

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About James A. Nowakowski (aka Jimmy). James A. Nowakowski has been a business strategist, speaker, and author since starting his companies (www.interlinegroup.com and a-i-m.com) in 1990. He taught English for 10 years in private and public schools in the Chicago area prior to that, and holds an M.A. in English from DePaul University, and a B.A. from Lewis University where he majored in English and minored in Theology and Philosophy. For his M.A., Nowakowski passed two of his four comprehensive examinations with distinction (Renaissance and American Literature). Jim has used his classical training throughout his business career, which can be examined in his blog, Alas, poor Yorick! Do you know him? There, Jim was invited to participate on an Industry Advisory Council (IAC) panel held by the University of Phoenix College of Humanities and Sciences on November 13, 2015. He grew his business to over twenty-five people prior to COVID and remains active in his businesses which are in Palatine, Illinois. He can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-nowakowski-a1aa0b26/ on X at @interlinejim or email: [email protected].

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