Reviews

Diário do Subsolo by Fyodor Dostoevsky

jane620's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

thebookishlawyer1999's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Dostoevsky gives an eerie description of what is wrong with the world and what is wrong with the people around us which is very much relatable in our current context as well.

The book is divided into two parts, the first part "The Underground" is where mainly the author opens up his heart and fills it with ramblings upon ramblings which he quotes as statements straight from the "underground". Now this is my humble opinion, but what I think is that the term "underground" in this book is a metaphor which does not refer to a literal underground, but it is the depth of our heart, the underground into each one of us where we hide feelings, words, perspective which never sees the light of day. The ramblings are also from the deep part of the author's heart where he symbolically criticizes the shortcomings and the tyranny of the authorities and those who claim to be as "normal people". For me, it is this part of the book which truly shines when it comes to convey the true essence of the book. The second part of the book deals with some parts of the narrator's life where we get to see what kind of a person he is and his morally flawed perspective of viewing things. Which was alright, but when it is read with and is made relatable with the first, that's when the true mastery of Mr. Dostoevsky comes to life. This is my second Dostoevsky literature, and it is definitely not on par with the levels that "Crime and Punishment" went, but it was a very good read nonetheless. 

icekube's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jujubonyou's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

wad2k's review against another edition

3.0

I foolishly fell for the trap thinking this would be a quick and easy read, which this was far from. Personally, I was expecting to be more moved by this novel - I had heard about how scarily relatable the protagonist was, and how it would make you really look deep into yourself. I'll definitely be giving it a reread once I've read more Dostoevsky and other philosophical novels and my analysis is a little better, but for now three stars it is. And as always, a quote that I enjoyed:
"Man is sometimes extraordinarily, passionately, in love with suffering, and that is a fact."

gingernut_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

b0okcupidity's review against another edition

3.0

Dense in significance, a book that required more concentration to appreciate on the second part than I adequately gave it - my overall enjoyment suffered for that. I learned that my tolerance for self loathing behavior is far greater when turned on oneself but once projected 'above ground', I could hardly will myself through it.
Question: Would any fan of Dostoyevsky slap me about the face for a mediocre (and truly, meaningless) star rating?
Answer: Yes. And they should enjoy it. And I should enjoy it too.

parisflack's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

zrm's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

dyno8426's review against another edition

4.0

These notes are part philosophical comment and part memoir of an anonymous Russian official who has retreated himself to the "Underground" for 20 years. Through self-critical confessions, the narrator comments on the mental and the moral degradation that he has undergone, with a passionate stand which reinforces the honesty of his documentation. His thoughts about free will and explanation for the darkness that thrives in every human's psyche is so intense, yet so founded as a philosophy. This part completely bought me; it felt like an exposè of the darkness that I carry within myself. It also talks about that consciousness in "romantics" like the narrator that makes him an outcast among the collective, and consequently, spiteful of others. The second part is a recollection of his part, the events of which depict his egotism, envy, contempt, anti-social nature and insatiable criticism against others, making him loathable in his society all the more. This is a man whose moral corruption is sickening. But through the psychological awareness of his own limitations and abnormal degeneration, which Dostoyevsky is known for, he is able to generate sympathy and almost pity at his desperation and helplessness. A frightening anti-hero with his corrective punishment, as he himself calls it, is worth reading. It ends quite abruptly though without giving a proper closure, surprising as to why the author would just stop like that; something to follow up. All throughout the notes, his thoughts and actions are paradoxical, showing the instability that he possesses in the face of life, making it uncertain and frightening as to where the conclusion to such darkness lies.