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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-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
There is a saying that when reading a great novel it acts like a mirror to your heart; this statement cannot be more relevant for The Idiot.
Prince Myshkin starts as a mystic figure who is almost prophetic in a sense that he systematically opens up layers of veil that enshroud peoples pride. For me, his criticality starts to break down in the latter half of the novel where his idiosyncratic reflection on those around him as well as his narrow-mindedness become a nuisance. In one instance, at a Russian aristocracy party, his anger towards Catholicism and Russian elites has completely shattered the social fabrics of etiquette. By ignoring repeated suggestion to stop his tirade, he has effectively over-stepped boundaries and his over-confidence in his judgement of the situation make him look rather naive. This reveals his inability to interweave his personality with the societal constraints - a sign of immaturity and to an extent ignorance.
It's interesting to see the comparison between The Idiot and Crime and Punishment. In one instance, Myshkin is portrayed as an articulate man, unbound by social norm while simultaneously stabs into the core of defects across the Russian elites. However, what we see at the end is a pitiful young man who cannot be accepted into the society due to his peculiarity, critical views and vanity. The converse is true for Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment who, despite being a cold-blooded murderer, is portrayed as a culmination of human tenderness, compassion and regret which ultimately leads to redemption. In other words, for me at least, Myskin mirrors the flaws in my characters which I try to suppress while Raskolnikov enlightens virtues that inspire.
Lastly, The Idiot is definitely a smart title. Not surprising that many people consider it as a paradox.
Prince Myshkin starts as a mystic figure who is almost prophetic in a sense that he systematically opens up layers of veil that enshroud peoples pride. For me, his criticality starts to break down in the latter half of the novel where his idiosyncratic reflection on those around him as well as his narrow-mindedness become a nuisance. In one instance, at a Russian aristocracy party, his anger towards Catholicism and Russian elites has completely shattered the social fabrics of etiquette. By ignoring repeated suggestion to stop his tirade, he has effectively over-stepped boundaries and his over-confidence in his judgement of the situation make him look rather naive. This reveals his inability to interweave his personality with the societal constraints - a sign of immaturity and to an extent ignorance.
It's interesting to see the comparison between The Idiot and Crime and Punishment. In one instance, Myshkin is portrayed as an articulate man, unbound by social norm while simultaneously stabs into the core of defects across the Russian elites. However, what we see at the end is a pitiful young man who cannot be accepted into the society due to his peculiarity, critical views and vanity. The converse is true for Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment who, despite being a cold-blooded murderer, is portrayed as a culmination of human tenderness, compassion and regret which ultimately leads to redemption. In other words, for me at least, Myskin mirrors the flaws in my characters which I try to suppress while Raskolnikov enlightens virtues that inspire.
Lastly, The Idiot is definitely a smart title. Not surprising that many people consider it as a paradox.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"A coward is a man who is afraid and runs away; the man who is frightened but does not run away, is not quite a coward."
This is the story of a gullible, kind-hearted Russian aristocrat, named prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, who is labelled an idiot for his child-like faith in the words and deeds of others. Some pity him but most take the opportunity to take advantage of his vulnerabilities. However, there is more to Myshkin than many think. The prince sometimes experiences revelations so profound that his mind cannot handle them and this leads to epileptic-like seizures.
The novel is quite long and not exactly made easier by the extensive list of characters with difficult foreign names. That said, that is my only negative commentary on the book. It was brilliant. The prince appears to be this clumpsy misplaced aristocrat that cannot hold his own at a social event. He is, in fact, so much more than that. His criticism on public hanging, the Roman Catholic hurch and christianity were clear evidence of that. He thinks beyond the here and now, when most of the people around him are preoccupied with their social status and appearance.
I very much favour The Idiot to Crime and Punishment. I was more invested in this character than I was in Crime and Punishment's Raskolnikov. Perhaps because I could relate more to the prince.
I consider this novel a must-read for those who are stuck in the here and now and are not afraid to face the bigger picture, even if it might be more grim than expected.
This is the story of a gullible, kind-hearted Russian aristocrat, named prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, who is labelled an idiot for his child-like faith in the words and deeds of others. Some pity him but most take the opportunity to take advantage of his vulnerabilities. However, there is more to Myshkin than many think. The prince sometimes experiences revelations so profound that his mind cannot handle them and this leads to epileptic-like seizures.
The novel is quite long and not exactly made easier by the extensive list of characters with difficult foreign names. That said, that is my only negative commentary on the book. It was brilliant. The prince appears to be this clumpsy misplaced aristocrat that cannot hold his own at a social event. He is, in fact, so much more than that. His criticism on public hanging, the Roman Catholic hurch and christianity were clear evidence of that. He thinks beyond the here and now, when most of the people around him are preoccupied with their social status and appearance.
I very much favour The Idiot to Crime and Punishment. I was more invested in this character than I was in Crime and Punishment's Raskolnikov. Perhaps because I could relate more to the prince.
I consider this novel a must-read for those who are stuck in the here and now and are not afraid to face the bigger picture, even if it might be more grim than expected.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes