Reviews

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Only show reviews with written explanations

strelitzia's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

3.75

achro's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

cristina_02's review against another edition

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3.0

Loneliness really does a number on people… as does youth. Nothing more crushing than reading that final letter. Situationship 101.

I can’t really say that any behaviours in this short story are a demonstration of “love” though; the main character does display more empathy than virtually all the others combined, but it’s not LOVE. A rollercoaster ride over 4 days does not qualify as anything more than unrequited infatuation.

The most resonant parts of the story revolve around the crushing realisation of the passage of time and feeling like one’s life amounts to nothing, and that of being mugged off after a failed talking stage. Otherwise, the MC’s monologue is at times dangerously reminiscent of “nice guys” with podcasts who complain about how unapproachable women are.