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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
The first Dostoyevsky book I’ve ever read! Surely won’t be the last, he was a very cinematic author, evidently so with his eccentric cast and the wild descriptions that lied in the book. To be honest, what is really harming my rating of this book is how difficult it was at times to follow around what was happening, as it is very disjoint and dense. That could be attributed to my own lack of skill, as Prince Muishkin would say!
Truly a tragic character. I understand that Dostoyevsky endeavored to create a character full of utter good. And, well, I certainly understand now that a paragon of utter good could only be an “idiot.” I found myself very charmed, very irate, and very sympathetic toward him.
I will praise the book highly on this:
Whenever I thought of taking a break, it would take a wild turn, which in turn kept me so invested. The twists and turns this book took! I could not predict anything to the very end.
This could very well be a 5, but as of now, 4 stars! One day I may revisit this.
Truly a tragic character. I understand that Dostoyevsky endeavored to create a character full of utter good. And, well, I certainly understand now that a paragon of utter good could only be an “idiot.” I found myself very charmed, very irate, and very sympathetic toward him.
I will praise the book highly on this:
Whenever I thought of taking a break, it would take a wild turn, which in turn kept me so invested. The twists and turns this book took! I could not predict anything to the very end.
This could very well be a 5, but as of now, 4 stars! One day I may revisit this.
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
...huh? Like é bom mas so reti 10% do livro...n aconselho começar Dostoiévski com este mas yha
Depressing, but I was expecting that, because it's Russian.
Also very insightful.
I get the impression that Fyodor created characters and placed them together, and then tried to figure out how they would interact, in order to answer questions about human nature. It's like a great big thought experiment, while simultaneously being a novel with a gripping story, and fascinating characters the like of which I haven't found in other novels, and yet which are quite familiar to me. We know people like all the characters in this book, except the titular Idiot - Prince Myshkin. His character is the experiment that Dostoevsky primarily wishes to run. An almost Christ-like figure evidently too perfect for this world. Quite probably the inspiration behind Forest Gump, but much more fleshed out, much more real, less two-dimensional, and much more believable.
If I take anything from this experiment it's that I shouldn't be like Prince Myshkin. I shouldn't even try. He was like half a person. We should be good, but we also need to have teeth. A good person who isn't strong, who can't be mean or aggressive when he needs to be just won't cut it.
Also very insightful.
I get the impression that Fyodor created characters and placed them together, and then tried to figure out how they would interact, in order to answer questions about human nature. It's like a great big thought experiment, while simultaneously being a novel with a gripping story, and fascinating characters the like of which I haven't found in other novels, and yet which are quite familiar to me. We know people like all the characters in this book, except the titular Idiot - Prince Myshkin. His character is the experiment that Dostoevsky primarily wishes to run. An almost Christ-like figure evidently too perfect for this world. Quite probably the inspiration behind Forest Gump, but much more fleshed out, much more real, less two-dimensional, and much more believable.
If I take anything from this experiment it's that I shouldn't be like Prince Myshkin. I shouldn't even try. He was like half a person. We should be good, but we also need to have teeth. A good person who isn't strong, who can't be mean or aggressive when he needs to be just won't cut it.
Oh, you idiot!
This book was a wonderfully cerebral take on society, religion, morals, and love. All told with a focus on a kind of person who doesn't appear to us in life often, a naively kind-hearted man called Prince Myshkin.
I recommend this book to people who understand analyses of society. Simply, if you don't understand how people (particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe) act with each other, this won't be fun for you.
This book was a wonderfully cerebral take on society, religion, morals, and love. All told with a focus on a kind of person who doesn't appear to us in life often, a naively kind-hearted man called Prince Myshkin.
I recommend this book to people who understand analyses of society. Simply, if you don't understand how people (particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe) act with each other, this won't be fun for you.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finally finished…….. 3 1/2 stars.
Much more of a slog than c&p and relatively less interesting to me. The truth is that it is indulgent. Fyodor wrote 700 pages about his OC who is really nice and also the two most beautiful women in the world are in love with him and i guess i generally respect him for that……..
Some parts really worked for me. Basically every part with nastasya and rogozhin i found compelling and beautiful. I think they’re both really intriguing characters. Rogozhins dark eyes glittering from the bushes as he skulks; the description of his house and hallways, pressing the iron cross into myshkin’s hands after introducing him to his ailing mother was the highlight of this, and i’d read the whole thing over again just to get these pieces. The use of ambiguity and gossip was not lost on me. I thought it was an interesting theme throughout and i liked some of the untrustworthy narration.
Myshkin as a main character versus raskolnikov as a main character is just as different as can be, and although the froufrou and high society portions of the idiot was funny and charming i think i ultimately preferred c&p for its more straightforward nature and raskolnikov is just more loveable. Ultimately they feel kind of like inverse novels to me (the idiot as generally more light and pleasant, with characters that lead easier lives with a fairly pessimistic or unhappy ending versus c&p as a very down and dirty, miserable story with a very optimistic and bright ending) and i see the value of both but wish i loved myshkin more than i do. He’s not moe at all to me. Not a single drop.
The overall vision itself here was a little lost on me. An overall a worthwhile read (if a little unspectacular in the whole) with some really spectacular portions.
Much more of a slog than c&p and relatively less interesting to me. The truth is that it is indulgent. Fyodor wrote 700 pages about his OC who is really nice and also the two most beautiful women in the world are in love with him and i guess i generally respect him for that……..
Some parts really worked for me. Basically every part with nastasya and rogozhin i found compelling and beautiful. I think they’re both really intriguing characters. Rogozhins dark eyes glittering from the bushes as he skulks; the description of his house and hallways, pressing the iron cross into myshkin’s hands after introducing him to his ailing mother was the highlight of this, and i’d read the whole thing over again just to get these pieces. The use of ambiguity and gossip was not lost on me. I thought it was an interesting theme throughout and i liked some of the untrustworthy narration.
Myshkin as a main character versus raskolnikov as a main character is just as different as can be, and although the froufrou and high society portions of the idiot was funny and charming i think i ultimately preferred c&p for its more straightforward nature and raskolnikov is just more loveable. Ultimately they feel kind of like inverse novels to me (the idiot as generally more light and pleasant, with characters that lead easier lives with a fairly pessimistic or unhappy ending versus c&p as a very down and dirty, miserable story with a very optimistic and bright ending) and i see the value of both but wish i loved myshkin more than i do. He’s not moe at all to me. Not a single drop.
The overall vision itself here was a little lost on me. An overall a worthwhile read (if a little unspectacular in the whole) with some really spectacular portions.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Captivating Classic with an Unforgettable Protagonist:
"The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read. From the very first chapter, I was hooked – in fact, chapter 1 is some of the best writing I’ve ever encountered. I was so immersed that I read the first 100 pages in one sitting. Although chapter 2 felt more chaotic, and I momentarily lost some interest, Dostoevsky managed to pull me back in during chapter 3, and chapter 4 nearly reached the brilliance of the opening.
The protagonist, Prince Myshkin, is a unique and fascinating character. Despite his naive nature and personal challenges, it’s impossible not to root for him until the bitter end. His kind-heartedness shines through, even in a world that often treats him with cynicism.
As an atheist, I found it hard to fully connect with some of the religious themes, but they never overwhelmed the narrative. On the contrary, they provided food for thought and added an extra layer to the story.
While some describe the book as "heavy," I didn’t find it overly difficult. Dostoevsky’s writing can occasionally feel long-winded, especially during certain lengthy speeches by the characters, but it never took away from the overall experience. I was especially gripped by the ending, where I simply couldn’t put the book down – I had to find out how the prince’s fate unfolded. The translation also seems excellent, preserving the essence of the story and the distinct traits of the characters.
All in all, a magnificent book that I highly recommend – especially to readers who love classics with deep character studies and ethical dilemmas. 5 stars!
"The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read. From the very first chapter, I was hooked – in fact, chapter 1 is some of the best writing I’ve ever encountered. I was so immersed that I read the first 100 pages in one sitting. Although chapter 2 felt more chaotic, and I momentarily lost some interest, Dostoevsky managed to pull me back in during chapter 3, and chapter 4 nearly reached the brilliance of the opening.
The protagonist, Prince Myshkin, is a unique and fascinating character. Despite his naive nature and personal challenges, it’s impossible not to root for him until the bitter end. His kind-heartedness shines through, even in a world that often treats him with cynicism.
As an atheist, I found it hard to fully connect with some of the religious themes, but they never overwhelmed the narrative. On the contrary, they provided food for thought and added an extra layer to the story.
While some describe the book as "heavy," I didn’t find it overly difficult. Dostoevsky’s writing can occasionally feel long-winded, especially during certain lengthy speeches by the characters, but it never took away from the overall experience. I was especially gripped by the ending, where I simply couldn’t put the book down – I had to find out how the prince’s fate unfolded. The translation also seems excellent, preserving the essence of the story and the distinct traits of the characters.
All in all, a magnificent book that I highly recommend – especially to readers who love classics with deep character studies and ethical dilemmas. 5 stars!
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes