The House of the Dead
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Czech • Public Domain • Free to stream
The House of the Dead (1862) is one of Fyodor Dostoevsky's most profound and personal works. Written after his own four years of imprisonment in a Siberian labour camp, the book follows a fictional narrator, Goryanchikov, as he recounts daily life among convicts — their customs, friendships, petty feuds, and moments of unexpected humanity. It is a deeply compassionate portrait of people society has condemned. Dostoevsky strips away the labels of criminal and victim to reveal the full complexity of the human spirit. A landmark of world literature, available to stream free.
About the book: The House of the Dead
The House of the Dead is a semi-autobiographical novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was published from 1860 to 1862 in the journal Vremya. The book has also appeared in English under alternative titles that are more literal translations of the Russian title.
The novel portrays the life of convicts in a Siberian prison camp. It is generally considered to be a fictionalised memoir based on Dostoevsky's own experiences as a prisoner in such a setting. Dostoevsky spent four years in a forced-labour prison camp in Siberia following his conviction for involvement in the Petrashevsky Circle. This experience allowed him to describe the conditions of prison life and the characters of the convicts with great authenticity.
During his time in prison, Dostoevsky began experiencing the epileptic seizures that would plague him for the rest of his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The House of the Dead free to listen to?
Yes, The House of the Dead is completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, and no ads required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote The House of the Dead?
The House of the Dead was written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, based on his own four years of imprisonment in a Siberian labour camp.
Is The House of the Dead in the public domain?
Yes, The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is The House of the Dead to listen to?
The House of the Dead takes approximately 5 hours to listen to in full.
When was The House of the Dead written?
The House of the Dead was first published in 1862. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates The House of the Dead?
The House of the Dead uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
Can I download The House of the Dead?
No download is needed. The House of the Dead streams directly in your browser — no app, no account, no signup required. Just press play.
What genre is The House of the Dead?
The House of the Dead is classic literature. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.