Catatan dari Bawah Tanah

Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Asrul Sani (translator)

Category: Fiction, literature, classics

Language: Indonesia version

Publication Year: 1992

Pages: 171

Description:

Catatan dari Bawah Tanah (Notes from the Underground) is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s dark and introspective novella that drags you deep into the mind of a man alienated from society, full of self-loathing, and paradoxically proud of it. Written in 1864, it’s considered one of the first existentialist works, and let’s just say, this guy from underground is not the life of the party.

The protagonist, known simply as the “Underground Man,” is a former civil servant living in St. Petersburg. He’s not your usual hero—more like that cranky neighbor who yells at kids for stepping on his lawn, but much worse. He is cynical, bitter, and filled with contempt for others and himself. Throughout the book, he reflects on human irrationality, free will, and his disdain for society’s ideals. His thoughts range from philosophical musings to outright bizarre self-contradictions, leaving readers between pitying him and feeling repulsed by his behavior.

The novella is split into two parts. The first section, “Bawah Tanah” ("Underground"), is like a TED Talk, but given by someone who just had a terrible day and wants to ruin yours too. The Underground Man presents his worldview, which, to summarize, is “everything sucks.” He attacks concepts like rationalism, free will, and even happiness, suggesting that humans often choose self-destructive paths simply because they can. He’s convinced that suffering is inevitable, especially for the “overly intelligent” (aka himself).

The second part, "Tentang Perut yang Basah" ("On Wet Snow"), is more narrative-based, describing events from his younger years that shaped him into this miserable individual. The Underground Man tries to reconnect with society by having awkward, cringeworthy interactions with various people, including old-school friends and Liza, a young prostitute. His relationship with Liza becomes a critical moment in the story, showing both his longing for human connection and his capacity to ruin it out of spite. Spoiler: it doesn't end well for either of them.

Though the protagonist's constant whining and contradictions can be frustrating, Dostoevsky's genius lies in making you reflect on the nature of free will, suffering, and human isolation. The Underground Man is not meant to be likable, but his extreme cynicism and philosophical rants provoke thought and discussion long after you put the book down.

While Catatan dari Bawah Tanah isn’t exactly a breezy read, it’s a fascinating psychological study and a key work in existential literature. If you enjoy characters who overthink everything (and I mean everything), this one’s for you! Just be prepared to dive into some seriously gloomy corners of the human psyche.

Personal Notes:

The inner struggle of the main character in this book deeply resonates with my own life story. It's no wonder that I find myself rereading this book every few years without ever growing tired of it.