Product guide

Demons: A Novel in Three Parts — Penguin Classics

Demons: A Novel in Three Parts is Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Penguin Classics edition, translated by Robert A. Maguire and edited by Ronald Meyer. This substantial English-language volume includes an introduction, chronology, further reading, notes and glossary. Its account of a Russian revolutionary group combines political violence, an investigation and questions of belief, making it a demanding choice for readers interested in nineteenth-century Russian fiction.

At a glance

Follows Pyotr Verkhovensky and Nikolai Stavrogin, leaders of a revolutionary cell seeking to overthrow the Tsar.
The edition includes an introduction, chronology, further reading, notes and a glossary.
The listing describes the novel as combining political intrigue with dark and sometimes comic elements.

Price

£8.44Save 35%

Reference price: ~~£12.99~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Often bought together

The Brothers Karamazov: A Novel in Four Parts and an Epilogue (Penguin Classics)

£8.61

The Idiot: Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Penguin Classics)

£10.25

Pros and cons

Pros

The substantial supporting material offers context for the novel, including its revolutionary background and narrative technique.
A glossary and notes may help readers navigate a large cast and the book’s political setting.
Customer feedback speaks positively about the thoughtful content and character-driven approach.

Cons

At 842 pages, this is a sizeable commitment rather than a short introduction to Dostoyevsky.
Some customer feedback is mixed about the translation, so readers who are particular about translation style may wish to compare editions.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Edition and publication
Publisher	Penguin Classics
Publication date	27 Mar. 2008
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	842 pages
Translator	Robert A. Maguire
Editor	Ronald Meyer
Introduction	Robert L. Belknap

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	597 g
Dimensions	19.56 x 13.21 x 3.84 cm

Identifiers
ISBN-10	0141441410
ISBN-13	978-0141441412

What to know before buying

Customer feedback also includes criticism of the physical condition on arrival. This concerns reported copies and does not establish the condition of any particular copy.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers seeking a long Russian classic focused on revolutionary politics, character and moral questions.
Readers who value contextual material such as an introduction, notes and glossary.

Less suited to

Readers wanting a short or light read, or those who prefer to avoid dense political fiction.
Readers who need a specific translation style without first checking whether Robert A. Maguire’s translation suits them.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 1,058 ratings

5 stars73%73%
4 stars18%18%
3 stars6%6%
2 stars1%1%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback highlights thought-provoking content, character development and a dark, complex plot, with some readers saying the book rewards repeated reading. The reported translation response is mixed, and there is criticism of physical condition on arrival. These impressions are relevant to a long novel whose listed edition includes notes and a glossary, but they do not establish how any individual copy will arrive or whether a particular reader will enjoy the translation.

Positive themes

Readers describe the content as thought-provoking and the character-driven approach positively.
The plot receives positive feedback for its dark, complex character.
Some customers say the book is worth the price and can be read more than once.