Where do I begin?

[Little Fish]

I am new to the world of Dostoevsky.  I've heard of him for many years but the sheer weight of Crime and Punishment always scared me off.  But then last week stumbled across The Dream of A Ridiculous Man online and read it in one go.  I found myself crying and thought that was probably a good sign.  If a writer can evoke that emotion in me, I should explore him further.  So I appeal to you ... where do I go from here?  I am not in a place to begin a novel this moment but would like to work my way up to one by winter.  Please, give me your best recommendations.  And, please, be gentle.   

[Slovenly Old Man]

The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is a good little story...... If you're not up for one of his longer works yet, I'd suggest reading white nights..... a little longer is 'the insulted and the injured' which happens to be published on this site:

http://www.fyodordostoevsky.com/etexts/the_insulted_and_the_injured.txt

White Nights isn't published on here but I'd imagine you could find it online somewhere.... it also is sometimes translated as 'bright nights'

Once you're up for reading one of his novels... I'd recommend reading 'the idiot' firstly

[Mogwai]

I echo Slovenly's recommendations.  Very good...

[Little Fish]

Thank you, both.  I will look for White Nights and work on from there.  If anyone else wanders by, or if you have further recommendations, please share.   

[helgis]

Although I'm new to this forum and to the author as well I think you should give C&P a try. It was my first book by him and it was a heavy read but what I thought it had going for it (besides for being an incredible masterpiece beyond words) was that I was never really that confused by it. I mean I didn't have any trouble keeping the characters apart or anything.

So I think the first heavy work by him should be Crime and Punishment, and I envy you that you haven't read it yet.