First published 1997
Yakov Golyadkin, a low-ranking government bureaucrat in 19th-century St. Petersburg, discovers an exact physical replica of himself has suddenly appeared in his life. This mysterious double begins systematically replacing him at work and in social circles, undermining Golyadkin's professional standing and personal identity. As the imposter gains more ground, Golyadkin becomes increasingly paranoid and desperate to prove his own authenticity. His attempts to expose the double drive him deeper into psychological disintegration, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. The more he fights, the more his sense of self dissolves.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, psychological-thriller, 19th-century
Vibes: dark, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: identity-crisis, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Russia
Period: 19th Century
144 pages · Paperback · Dover Publications
Content warnings: mental-illness