The story is inspired by the works of Gogol, Pushkin, and Karamzin, as well as English and French novels, and is written in the form of letters between the two main characters, Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova, poor cousins. The novel portrays the life of the poor and their relationship with the rich, poverty in general, which are common themes in naturalistic literature. Their friendship develops until Dobroselova loses interest in literature and continues to communicate with Devushkin after a wealthy widower named Mr. Bykov proposes to her. Devushkin represents the emotional character commonly found in naturalistic literature. While Dobroselova abandons art, Devushkin cannot live without literature.

The novel was praised by contemporary critics for its humanitarian themes. Vissarion Belinsky called it Russia’s first 'social novel', while Alexander Herzen viewed it as a 'great socialist work'. Other critics noted its irony. The novel uses complex polyphony from different perspectives and narrators. Initially, Dostoevsky presented the novel to the liberal magazine 'The Contemporary', and it was published in the 'St. Petersburg Collection' on January 15, 1846. It achieved national success and parts were translated into German by Wilhelm Wolfson and published in a magazine during 1846/1847.