Put simply by one of our Olio members: "This is the book club that I actually want to be a part of. It's so much more fun to engage with these texts as a group and with a teacher than as a solo activity."
*No prior reading necessary

“I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. I think my liver is diseased.”

So begins the maddening, bitter and contradictory monologue of Dostoevsky’s hero in Notes from Underground. The Underground Man has no name, and he enjoys his anonymity as he attacks virtually every aspect of human existence — laws, nature, mathematics, science, pursuit of happiness and love.

In this close reading, Dina Odnopozova (PhD Yale, professor at Baruch) invites you into the Underground Man’s world through the first chapter of Notes from Underground. Together, we’ll encounter one of literature’s most hyper-conscious and profoundly irritating characters in a conversation as intimate and unpredictable as a late-night argument at the bar. You may find yourself wanting to throw the Underground Man out the window. Or perhaps sit him down, give him a hug, and listen a little longer.

We'll read part of the text together line by line and have a group discussion over drinks.

Teacher: Dina Odnopozova holds a PhD from Yale and is a professor at Baruch College, where her work explores the intersection of literature, psychology, and the unconscious. She has led Olios on Freud, Jung, and the archetypal grammar of fairy tales — the witches, wolves, and forbidden doors that map the human subconscious.

Think Olio is an ongoing experiment in lifelong learning. We are a community of open-minded people who gather to exchange ideas with new friends and connect over art, literature, and philosophy. Check out our full calendar

Our $30 membership gives you two events for the price of one!

Our goal is to spark new perspectives, ignite curiosity, and enjoy ourselves socially—an alternative to typical nightlife options.

Disclaimer: By purchasing a ticket, you agree to have your photo/video used for social media/marketing materials. If you prefer to not have your photo taken, feel free to send us a note.

Photo by Zhi-Da Zhong

Olio Book Club: Dostoevsky's Notes From the Underground

Olio Book Club: Dostoevsky's Notes From the Underground