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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Crime and Punishment? Loved. The Brothers Karamazov? Loved. The Idiot? Well, this cover is an accurate depiction of how I felt while reading it and after I finished.
The Idiot by Dostoevsky is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Dostoevsky with his writing magically transports the reader to 19th-century Russian society. As you read the story you see the main protagonist, Prince Myshkin, make complex relationships with other characters and witness him making plenty of ill-fated decisions. Prince Myshkin as a character is foolishly nice of a person, he almost has this childlike innocence which allows him to get exploited by others for their selfish motives. He is almost like a white cloth, pure and gentle, readily tainted by the dark and impure nature of the world. Dostoevsky manages to implement the aspect of morality and religion in conflict with corruption and greed. As I have also read Crime and Punishment I couldn't stop myself from creating this parallel between Myshkin and Raskolnikov. It is almost like they are two sides of a coin. However, I like Raskolnikov more as even though Myshkin was kind and gentle he had this rigid view of the world and wouldn't allow himself to learn from his past actions.
I struggle to rate this book just because I am fairly disappointed in how it ended. Don't get me wrong; the final fate of the characters is entirely appropriate. But I was hoping for a little redemption, but didn't get it. However, I was eager to get to the end because I was so invested. These deeply flawed characters were compelling though annoying as they continued to go through a pattern of, at the very least, emotional instability. True to reality, though, every character was flawed. I greatly preferred Crime and Punishment to The Idiot, but I wouldn't say that I regret spending time reading this one.
challenging
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
It's a good book but definitely not my cup of tea and could've been much shorter
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
adventurous
dark
reflective
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:
Yes
I love the way Dostojewski writes and the Idiot is a perfect example of his superb literary style.
I quite enjoyed this one.
Fyodor is quite the writer
3.9/5
Fyodor is quite the writer
3.9/5
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes