This collection includes two of Dostoevsky's early works - 'Poor People' and 'The Double', which marked the birth of the future great novelist. 'Poor People' is the writer's debut novel.' The touching love story of the petty official Makar Devushkin and Varenka Dobroselova reveals the eternal theme of the 'little man'. Despite the inner beauty and nobility of the soul, they are not able to reverse circumstances and are doomed to suffering in this cruel world. In the story 'The Double' a deep psychological analysis of the split consciousness is given and the theme of duality is brilliantly developed - the human 'I' and its shadow.