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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Yes
One of my favourite novels.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this in high school and it was the first 400+ page book I read, so I was kind of proud of myself for that.
But I generally like Dostoevsky’s books because of their characters. The characters are so diverse and very well developed. They feel like a product of their world. Human psychology and philosophy are the core of this book explored through character’s beliefs, actions and consequences. It’s also rewarding to do further research on the author and their life.
For people who love psychology, philosophy and exploration of human motivations would like this book, although it is a longer read and an investment.
But I generally like Dostoevsky’s books because of their characters. The characters are so diverse and very well developed. They feel like a product of their world. Human psychology and philosophy are the core of this book explored through character’s beliefs, actions and consequences. It’s also rewarding to do further research on the author and their life.
For people who love psychology, philosophy and exploration of human motivations would like this book, although it is a longer read and an investment.
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
“Existence on its own had never been enough for him; he had always wanted more than that. Perhaps it had been merely strength of his own desires that made him believe he was a person to whom more was allowed than others.”
Absolutely fascinating character piece, with the most stunning deep dives into a characters psyche I know of.
I adore Raskolnikov (it is stated multiple times he is a man of aesthetics so how could I not), his internal monologues, justifications, thought processes, delusions and dreams are stunning. My favourite sections of the book were definitely centred on his mentalities, especially in regards to others; it’s hilarious and beautiful to read about how he considers others. It’s almost frustratingly hard to root for him at some points, but i always held on to hope and that’s what makes the sudden ending so satisfying.
In contrast to Rodion is my man Razumikhin, the most positive and wholly good being possible in this world. I cannot describe the absolute ecstasy I experienced when it’s stated outright he would go on to become like a brother and son to the family. The amount of shit he puts up with, and the absolute pessimism he is surrounded in doesn’t waver his resolve in being a truly loyal and goddamn phenomenal person. Cannot praise him enough and I’ll never get over him.
The section chronicling Svidrigailov’s last night was easily one of the most interesting and beautiful things I’ve read, and I’d argue the most powerful examination of a character in the entire book (which is a bold statement as the entire book is an examination of Raskolnikov). The depraved vile nature of how we initially perceive him through Raskolnikov in contrast to the feverish nightmares experienced by someone attempting to reconcile their life of apathy and cruelty make him truly a genius character.
The conflicts and conversations had are incredibly entertaining, whether this be the numerous between Rodion and Porfiry (another absolutely fascinating character by the by) or my personal favourite, the attempted framing of Sonya (Ahh another fantastic character!). The whole of this encounter was led up to by so much of the earlier chapters. Experiencing the gut-wrench of the accusation, to the retribution of everything that Luzhin had done was chilling. This followed by the confession to Sonya, and Katerina Ivanovna’s death, make it the peak of the book.
I shall stop rambling. Extremely entertaining, and thoroughly, thoroughly rewarding.
Absolutely fascinating character piece, with the most stunning deep dives into a characters psyche I know of.
I adore Raskolnikov (it is stated multiple times he is a man of aesthetics so how could I not), his internal monologues, justifications, thought processes, delusions and dreams are stunning. My favourite sections of the book were definitely centred on his mentalities, especially in regards to others; it’s hilarious and beautiful to read about how he considers others. It’s almost frustratingly hard to root for him at some points, but i always held on to hope and that’s what makes the sudden ending so satisfying.
In contrast to Rodion is my man Razumikhin, the most positive and wholly good being possible in this world. I cannot describe the absolute ecstasy I experienced when it’s stated outright he would go on to become like a brother and son to the family. The amount of shit he puts up with, and the absolute pessimism he is surrounded in doesn’t waver his resolve in being a truly loyal and goddamn phenomenal person. Cannot praise him enough and I’ll never get over him.
The section chronicling Svidrigailov’s last night was easily one of the most interesting and beautiful things I’ve read, and I’d argue the most powerful examination of a character in the entire book (which is a bold statement as the entire book is an examination of Raskolnikov). The depraved vile nature of how we initially perceive him through Raskolnikov in contrast to the feverish nightmares experienced by someone attempting to reconcile their life of apathy and cruelty make him truly a genius character.
The conflicts and conversations had are incredibly entertaining, whether this be the numerous between Rodion and Porfiry (another absolutely fascinating character by the by) or my personal favourite, the attempted framing of Sonya (Ahh another fantastic character!). The whole of this encounter was led up to by so much of the earlier chapters. Experiencing the gut-wrench of the accusation, to the retribution of everything that Luzhin had done was chilling. This followed by the confession to Sonya, and Katerina Ivanovna’s death, make it the peak of the book.
I shall stop rambling. Extremely entertaining, and thoroughly, thoroughly rewarding.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thesis and antithesis. Men argue there are supermen who are entitled to do as they please, only to find after they do the acts they still have a heart — and they can't bear what they have done.
Dense in its description, dialogue, and dialectic. But in that density it becomes a urtext for filmmakers like Bresson or Schrader, and for countless other storytellers to follow. Men believing they are above it all then having to submit to the painful resurrection once they realize they still have feelings.
Submission is an act of letting go.
Dense in its description, dialogue, and dialectic. But in that density it becomes a urtext for filmmakers like Bresson or Schrader, and for countless other storytellers to follow. Men believing they are above it all then having to submit to the painful resurrection once they realize they still have feelings.
Submission is an act of letting go.