[Stewart]

I presume a knowledge - passing, at the very least - of Dostoevsky may be required to get maximum enjoyment from it? Or is that not the case? In the way that I was planning to read a selection of Scandinavian authors this year, I'm intending on heading to Russia next year. Dostoevsky, of course, is always on the list. But not yet - his books are huge. Threatening, even. Reading them first is the only reason I've picked this up in book stores and put it down again. I think I'd like some Dostoevsky under the belt, if only for background and/or texture.