Dostoevsky was 27 years old when he wrote this story. It revolves around two young men, true soul mates, who live in each other's pockets, sharing a flat, social and emotional joys and setbacks. They are young professionals of the time contemplating life, happiness, unexplored joys. One of the two friends develops a vision of universal happiness conflicting with his individual pleasures, and preventing him from marrying a beautiful young girl.