The possessed : or, The devils

In a quiet provincial town, a charismatic former lecturer returns, convinced he is a destined reformer. Stepan Verhovensky, with his flamboyant self‑image as a persecuted patriot, quickly becomes the focal point of local intellectual life, drawing admiration and suspicion alike. His grandiose speeches and obsessive self‑importance set the stage for a clash of ideas that begins to ripple through the community.

The novel follows the uneasy alliances that form around him, as friends, lovers, and rivals grapple with the promises and perils of his radical vision. Through sharp dialogue and keen psychological insight, listeners witness the tension between lofty ideals and the messy realities of provincial life. As the group’s enthusiasm grows, so does the undercurrent of doubt, hinting at the dangers that can arise when conviction turns to fanaticism.