One of my favorite “classic” writers is Fyodor Dostoevsky. I first read Crime and Punishment about two years ago and quickly put The Brothers Karamazov on my “to read” list. I am no stranger to Russian literature, having read Anna Karenina in high school.

Imagine my delight when I discovered a biography of Fyodor Dostoevsky written by Peter Leithart, as part of the Christian Encounter Series. About the book:

Readers get an intimate inside look at the life of this world-famous author who explored human nature perhaps more deeply than any other. Who, under the watchful eye of a suppressive Russian government, fought for the common people and fought for truth. Fyodor Dostoevsky artfully weaves the cultural, political, and scientific forces at play that set the stage for his world-renowned writing. Amid all this, readers discover the humanity of this iconic writer and his lifelong battle to exemplify the teachings of Jesus.

The author alternates back and forth between Dostoevsky as a young man, interested in the world’s changing politics, and a husband and father, discussing his rocky history with a friend after dinner. This type of writing device can often be confusing, but the author handled it seamlessly. I found out many details of Dostoevsky’s life that I had not know before; I was surprised to discover that he was a Christian. I had thought that his time in prison would have jaded him.

This book is a unique approach to a biography; it can be categorized as creative non-fiction. Instead of a stuffy, straight-forward biography, it reads like a novel; I like that approach in a lot of non-fiction that I read. If you want to learn a Christian perspective of  Fyodor Dostoevsky, this is the book for you. There are also a number of other authors that you may enjoy in the Christian Encounters Series, as well. Fyodor Dostoevsky can be found on Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”