"Чортова кукла" is a haunting and thought-provoking work of fiction that delves deep into themes of obsession, faith, and the supernatural. The story follows a young man who becomes entranced by a beautiful doll that he believes to be possessed by a demonic force. As his obsession grows, he spirals further into madness and despair.

The author, Зинаида Гиппиус, masterfully weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, leaving the reader questioning what is truly happening and what is merely a product of the protagonist's tortured mind. The writing is dark and atmospheric, drawing the reader in and immersing them in the eerie world of the story.

While the novel is not for the faint of heart, fans of psychological horror and gothic literature will find much to appreciate in "Чортова кукла." It is a gripping and unsettling read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Book Description:
This book is not exactly a novel, as presented, but rather a sampler of characters of St. Petersburg of the early 20th century. However, as it is presented as a novel, let's note that, as far as I could tell, this is the first Russian novel written by a woman. The Note to the Readers is read by Hanna Ponomarenko.

Зинаида Гиппиус сама говорит что это книга не о революции или революционерах. Книга о реакции тоже не вышла, вопреки намерениям автора. Как жанр, это не роман , а скорее картины нравов разных слоёв петербургского общества начала ХХ века, и именно это делает книгу интересной. Однако, раз уж книга объявлена как роман, то надо отметить что, насколько мне удалось установить, это первый русский роман написанный женщиной.
Обращение к читателям от имени автора прочла Анна Пономаренко.