If you think your office has some strange characters, wait until you meet Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin.

The Story

Golyadkin is a nervous, socially awkward government clerk in St. Petersburg. After a disastrous attempt to crash a party for his boss's daughter, he's spiraling with shame. The next day at work, he meets his new colleague: Mr. Golyadkin Junior. This man is his physical double, but he's everything our hero is not—smooth, bold, and instantly beloved. As Junior infiltrates his job, his social circle, and his very sense of self, Senior Golyadkin watches his life being erased from the inside. He's trapped in a battle for his own existence, and no one else seems to see the threat.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't the grand, philosophical Dostoyevsky of Crime and Punishment. This is raw, frantic, and almost painfully funny in its cringe. You're locked inside Golyadkin's head as his reality fractures. It’s less about a ghost and more about the terrifying parts of ourselves we deny. That voice of self-doubt? What if it wore your face and got your job? The book is a masterclass in psychological suspense, written with a fever-dream intensity that’s impossible to shake.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love a good psychological thriller or anyone who's ever felt like an impostor in their own life. It's also a fascinating look at the young Dostoyevsky, working out the themes of identity and madness he'd later perfect. If you enjoy stories where you're never quite sure what's real, or if you just want to read about one of the most spectacular nervous breakdowns in literature, this is your book. Bring a strong cup of tea—you'll need it.