Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

7 reviews

toffishay's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Incredibly well-written and engaging story. I was surprised that I enjoyed this one so much, because it isn't a Dostoevsky story that I am the most familiar with. I genuinely laughed out loud and teared up at different points in the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Stalking

Minor: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Xenophobia, War, Sexism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Murder, and Death

ru_th's review against another edition

challenging dark funny tense slow-paced

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

4.25

[…] in jedem genialen oder neuen menschlichen Gedanken, oder sogar einfach in jedem ernsten menschlichen Gedanken, der in einem Kopf zu keimen beginnt, immer etwas ist, das zurückbleibt und sich unmöglich anderen Menschen mitteilen läßt, selbst wenn man Bände vollschreibt und diesen Gedanken fünfunddreißig Jahre lang erläutert; es bleibt immer etwas zurück, was um keinen Preis den Schädel verlassen will und für alle Ewigkeit in einem bleibt; und so stirbt man, vielleicht ohne das Wichtigste seiner Idee an irgend jemand weitergegeben zu haben. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Antisemitism

konstantina's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

There are a lot of things one could say about this novel: the psyche of the characters, their flaws, their opinions, their suffering, their sins. There is a lot that can be said about the author's self-inserting through the Prince. 

All I'll say is that I have never felt such sympathy for a main character as I have for Leon, and that is something that the book community knows to be rare.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Alcoholism, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Violence, Grief, and Death of parent

alexandra_skl's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A sad yet beautiful exploration of the dangers of being kind and good in a cruel society. With thought provoking discussions about religion, the Russian spirit, and morality. It also makes a wonderful use out of Christ allegory and literary allusions. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Classism, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness

jjuanamtzz's review

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

One of my favorite books!! The beginning is a bit slow, but one you get past that, it's so captivating. Has great philosophical question posed, a bit humourous and dramatic, and I love the characters, not despite their flaws, but because of it. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Murder, and Slavery

rodia's review

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Chronic illness, and Alcoholism

martyrdomx5's review

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Gun violence

Moderate: Chronic illness