Imagine a guy in 1860s St. Petersburg rage‑typing his diary from a damp basement, insisting he’s totally fine (he’s not). Notes from the Underground is a sharp, weirdly funny rant about pride, insecurity, free will, and why we sometimes do the exact thing that makes us miserable—just to prove we can. It’s short, punchy, and surprisingly modern: basically the original “I overthought everything and now I’m mad” monologue. Read it if you like dark humor, psychological deep dives, and books that stare back at you a little.