Uncle's Dream by Fyodor Dostoyevsky was written following his five year exile to Siberia where he was sent to serve in a hard labor camp. Following what could only have been a harrowing and harsh existence in Russia's infamous prison for political and social prisoners, one would expect Dostoyevsky's work to have been dark and bitter. Rather, Uncle's Dream is a humorous and yet scathing commentary on Russian provincial high-society.
The story of elderly Prince K. who comes to visit the town of Mordasoff, lorded over by the imperious Maria Alexandrovna, is one of love, hate, deceit and greed. Standing reluctantly at Maria Alexandrovna's side is her haughty daughter, Zina, who has few friends of her own. The prince's companion and distant relative is Paul Mosgliakoff, suitor to Zina.