Reviews

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

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angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition

5.0

Wow - Rarely am I this engaged by philosophical wanderings, but Dostoevsky is so eloquent and the main character so interesting in a maddening, but often entirely logical way, that I am ripping through this very quickly. There are parts that make me want to yell out "Yes!!", grab someone walking by to finally point out that "I am NOT the only one who has noticed this!" While the excessive self-contradictive approach is sometimes bothersome, it is the source of some of the book's most powerful points, emphasizes the entertaining evolution of the character's "arguments". While I feel there is plenty of truth that thrives within the book, be on your guard. There is plenty that does not ring true, as this is one of the work's points, and I advise keeping a level head. Truly exquisite writing.

"Suffering is what allows for Consciousness"

foureyez's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-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

claudia_elisabeth's review against another edition

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1. Teil gelesen

aleks_png's review against another edition

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honk shoo

kristallmarie's review against another edition

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1.0

Is this what people are referencing when they say Russian classics are unpleasant and depressing?

yoessif's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring medium-paced

5.0

ovpm's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5/5 rounded up⭐️

this is the representation, in some degree, of human nature, in the form of notes. a man who's been unoccupied, alone, and even if they don't admit it, scared and ashamed of themselves and the life they lead:
"i'm the most vile, the most ridiculous, the most petty, the most stupid, the most envious of all worms on earth"

a very complicated, narcissistic, power-hungry, sad, lonely guy who just needed a friend, and since the whole world seemed to had fail him, self-loathing was all he had left.

i will definitely need to read this again, it's a mainly a huge rant (monologue), but all in all, it was insightful, interesting and surprisingly funny, in the most solemn way.