Abstract

This chapter investigates the position of Dostoevsky in Hillesum's work and the relationship between her philosophy of life and Dostoevsky's spirituality, as expressed in The Brothers Karamazov . It presents the context in which to place Hillesum's love for the Russian author and Russia in general. Two things are said in the chapter: one about the nature of Christianity and one about the nature of the Russian people. In her attitude toward life and in her diary, Etty Hillesum evidenced a remarkable similarity to the spiritual themes in The Brothers Karamazov . The Dostoevskian spirituality is expressed in three themes in her diary: (i) the problem of human suffering in relationship to God; (ii) the experience of the creation as Paradise, in spite of the evil in the world; and (iii) a common feeling of responsibility for the evil and an all-forgiving love towards everyone. Keywords: Christianity; Dostoevsky's spirituality; Etty Hillesum; God; human suffering; Russian people; The Brothers Karamazov

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