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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
fast-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
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Tuli nopsaan luettua mutta ainakin kellariosuus meni kyllä heittämällä ohi. Kiinnostavia ajatuksia ja kyllä haluan perehtyä kirjan sanomaan tarkemmin.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
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
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
UPDATED SCORE: 4.5/5 Stars (9/10)
SPOILERS
Notes from Underground won't be for everyone, but for those who it is meant for, they will find it quite enjoyable.
Notes from Underground is split into 2 parts, with the first being mostly the Underground Man's thoughts and the second being more plot-oriented.
In part one, we're introduced to the Underground Man. It is very clear that he despises everything. He explains that he has "inertia", which to him means that his ability to think so clearly makes him unable to do anything. He seems to believe that people are essentially irrational, and goes on many tangents about why this is the case. Part one can get a bit slow at times, especially considering several of the chapters are quite long, but I find them quite intriguing for those who have an open mind and truly consider his words.
Part two, as explained, is much more plot-oriented. Though we do get paragraphs of thoughts and beliefs, there are notably more things that actually happen. The Underground Man meets with several former schoolmates, meets a young woman, and even gets fairly drunk in one scene.
I personally find part two more enjoyable than part one.
Overall, Notes from Underground is a worthy read.
Update From A Few Months Later:
The profound effect this novella has had on me cannot be overstated. It's both enjoyable (when you make it past the first part, though that is still intriguing) and deep.
SPOILERS
Notes from Underground won't be for everyone, but for those who it is meant for, they will find it quite enjoyable.
Notes from Underground is split into 2 parts, with the first being mostly the Underground Man's thoughts and the second being more plot-oriented.
In part one, we're introduced to the Underground Man. It is very clear that he despises everything. He explains that he has "inertia", which to him means that his ability to think so clearly makes him unable to do anything. He seems to believe that people are essentially irrational, and goes on many tangents about why this is the case. Part one can get a bit slow at times, especially considering several of the chapters are quite long, but I find them quite intriguing for those who have an open mind and truly consider his words.
Part two, as explained, is much more plot-oriented. Though we do get paragraphs of thoughts and beliefs, there are notably more things that actually happen. The Underground Man meets with several former schoolmates, meets a young woman, and even gets fairly drunk in one scene.
I personally find part two more enjoyable than part one.
Overall, Notes from Underground is a worthy read.
Update From A Few Months Later:
The profound effect this novella has had on me cannot be overstated. It's both enjoyable (when you make it past the first part, though that is still intriguing) and deep.
The Underground Man is not a character I wanted to admit I relate to, but I do, and feel exposed. He analyses his self to the point of sickness and vocalises thoughts that sound absurd when said out loud but are part of being human. In some cases, it might be a brag to say you relate to a book character but in this one, it's uncomfortable. Also makes you realise that you’re not that unique and special after all if there’s a book out there that reads almost like your own journal.
I read this as preparation for Crime and Punishment, since this was published two years prior to the more famous work, and possibly explores similar themes in a smaller way.
The Underground Man is an interesting character study. His voice is strong and penetrating though constantly contradicting (and sometimes rambly). Like most narcissists, his narcissism stems from a severe lack of self-esteem. He is insecure about many parts of himself, but considers his intelligence to be superior to that of the common man. In fact, his advanced brain is the reason why he never managed to make anything of himself in all his life- like a rat, intelligent but confined to the dark recesses of his rathole (or so he claims).
There isn’t a way to summarise this book as it’s so dense. It makes quite a few bold comments about broad concepts such as human behaviour and civilisation, and might make a good introduction to existential literature.
I read this as preparation for Crime and Punishment, since this was published two years prior to the more famous work, and possibly explores similar themes in a smaller way.
The Underground Man is an interesting character study. His voice is strong and penetrating though constantly contradicting (and sometimes rambly). Like most narcissists, his narcissism stems from a severe lack of self-esteem. He is insecure about many parts of himself, but considers his intelligence to be superior to that of the common man. In fact, his advanced brain is the reason why he never managed to make anything of himself in all his life- like a rat, intelligent but confined to the dark recesses of his rathole (or so he claims).
There isn’t a way to summarise this book as it’s so dense. It makes quite a few bold comments about broad concepts such as human behaviour and civilisation, and might make a good introduction to existential literature.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes