As part of the 2023 Classic challenge https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/bd1df87f-c0c0-43d0-aee6-e902eecb1981
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was born in Moscow, Russian Empire. November 11, 1821 to February 09, 1881
He was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and journalist. His literary works explore human psychology in the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmospheres of 19th-century Russia, and engage with a variety of philosophical and religious themes.
The original idea was to read the book mentioned here. With that said, the prompt was to read Crime and punishment. But I just got through that one in 2022 and I did not have a great time with it so I decided to switch to a different one. My compromise is to focus on the author and try to read several of their works per month.
The Idiot
Narrator: Michael Sheen
Genres: Classic, Fiction, Philosophy, Russian Literature
Original publication date: January 1, 1869
Setting: St. Petersburg (Russian Federation)
Book description: Returning to Russia from a sanitarium in Switzerland, the Christ-like epileptic Prince Myshkin finds himself enmeshed in a tangle of love, torn between two women—the notorious kept woman Nastasya and the pure Aglaia—both involved, in turn, with the corrupt, money-hungry Ganya. In the end, Myshkin’s honesty, goodness, and integrity are shown to be unequal to the moral emptiness of those around him.
Review:
It starts with Prince Myshkin, while on the train ride back to Russia, he meets and befriends Rogozhin, a man of dubious moral character. Myshking is portrayed as too naïve, especially in the greedy, power-hungry social circle he insists on being part of.
He is a character who either you love or dislike passionately. In my case I fall in the later category. He is a religious fanatic, whose conviction is so narrow-minded that he hates other variations of Christian dogma even more than atheists. He is very self-centered and in the end he proves to be a hypocrite.
He is proud of his lack of education, and does absolutely nothing to enhance his own understanding, despite having the leisure to spend all day studying. He simply chooses not to do anything to expand his horizons, even worse still, he wishes to keep his knowledge at that level so he doesn't get ideals that don't fit or worse contradict his strict religious ideals.
The fact that he suffers from epilepsy, is not the best portrayal. Is my opinion subjective? Yes, I have had seizures on and off since early childhood and you can definitely live safely and independently while striving to develop as a human being. Learning is one of the best options of self-development. I digress, the mental health representation- the possible bipolar, and some other ones that are possibly mentioned. They're not portrayed greatly but for the time it was written, I'll give it a pass.
White nights
Original publication date: January 1, 1848
Genres: Classics, Russian Literature, Short stories
Books description: White Nights is a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky that was published in 1848. Set in St. Petersburg, it is the story of a young man fighting his inner restlessness. A light and tender narrative, it delves into the torment and guilt of unrequited love. Both protagonists suffer from a deep sense of alienation that initially brings them together. A blend of romanticism and realism, the story appeals gently to the senses and feelings.
Review:
This is the definition of a friend-zone situation. The MC spends his time as the "friend" but he never wants to be a friend but a lover. She is pretty straightforward from the start, even if she is also very unlikable.
They meet by chance, and he is struck- love at first sight. But of course property, they cannot just meet. She makes him promise to not fall in love with her. She wishes to be friends and he accepts.
On their late-night talks- that go on for a few days only. Then the plot twist. Her old love interest shows up again and she's struggling to decide if forgive him or how to get in touch with him.
It's a quick read. But definitely not my favorite.
The brothers Karamazov
Narrator: Constantine Gregory
First published January 1, 1878
Genres: Classics, fiction, Russian Literature, Philosophy
Book description: The Brothers Karamazov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, is social and spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point in Russian culture.
Review:
Again a very slow-moving book. It feels dragged out in some sections, but its compelling enough that you are not able to put it down.
We see a lot of themes here- the main ones: religious belief, politics, drinking and vices, borrowing money, and male pride. It's a nice combination of comedy and tragedy in a murder mystery and family drama and fights.
Half of this book is a courtroom drama. The prosecutor has their guilty party- no proof but the obvious phycology of the murder. The lawyers on both sides are too engrossed on their attempt to keep the limelight and prolong their speeches regardless of the actual case at hand. It's kind of funny.
The other part of the book is simply following other various characters. It is clear that the concept of interrupting someone had not yet been introduced into Russia at this point. So everyone is able to spout forth about anything they like, rambling on with multiple digressions for ten pages, and none of the other people won't hit them over the head to stop their rants.
I assume this is a nice example of an unreliable narrator. The MC has tried to get the whole story and yet he gets rumors, gossip, and sensationalist reports added to his official story.
You will not want to hear 3000 rubles in your life, it's so often repeated that you wonder why the editors would allow that. It's a running joke. Be sure to not be fooled into accepting a drinking game with this key phrase or you'll be wasted in no time.
This was used for the challenges:
Classics
Around the world- Russia
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