White Nights is a short story by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. First published in 1848, it is one of his early works. Like many of Dostoevsky's stories, it is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who lives in Saint Petersburg and suffers from loneliness. The story is considered one of his best short works and has been adapted for cinema in Russia, Italy, France, America, India, and Iran.

The main theme is the relationship between the narrator and his new friend, Nastenka. The narrator falls in love with Nastenka, but does not confess his feelings, while she is deeply in love with another man who ignores her letters. Both escape their despair through this friendship; the narrator escapes his loneliness, and Nastenka escapes her stagnant relationship. Nastenka asks the narrator for help writing letters to her lover, unaware that he loves her dearly. She even tells him, "I love you because you haven't fallen in love with me." Due to his intense love, the narrator feels alienated in her company, as he must pretend he doesn't love her.

When her lover doesn't respond, Nastenka feels desperate, especially since he lives in the same city. She turns to her friend for comfort, which prompts the narrator to confess his love. Nastenka is initially confused, which he doesn't expect. He then feels he can no longer continue their friendship and insists on not seeing her again, but she asks him to stay. As they walk, she suggests their relationship might one day become romantic, clearly wanting to keep him in her life. The narrator is relieved to have at least preserved their friendship.

While walking, they encounter a man who calls out to Nastenka. It is her lover. She joyfully rushes into his arms, returns to give the narrator a quick kiss, and then continues her night with her lover, leaving the narrator alone and heartbroken.

• Author: Dostoevsky
• Translator: Raghad Younis Mahmoud
• Publisher: Dar Al-Taqwa for Publishing and Distribution-Cairo
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Number of Pages: 88
• Binding: Paperback
• ISBN: 6223006072763