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stinky_phytoseiid's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookbadass6969's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stargazerfish0's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give this book a 4 1/2 but GoodReads doesn't do halves. I really liked this book. This is my second Dostoevsky novel, my first being Notes from Underground, which is one of my favorite books of all time. I'm binging Dostoevsky (pr@y for me) this year and I'm proud to add this to my read pile.
If you would have told me that this was basically a deconstructive novel by Dostoevsky himself, I would have finished this novel a lot faster. Unfortunately it's been sitting on my shelf for over 10 years now, although soon after I got it I had gotten 1/4 of the way in.
The quickest comparison that comes to my mind is the movie Closer from 2004 starring Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts, but since I'm not sure how many people have seen that, I'm going to say that this novel is like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia but none of the funny and all of the tragic. I should probably specify that it has none of the IASiP funny, because there's definitely humor in it (hell, I laughed). It's more tragicomedy, but boy, that ending... Probably going to haunt me.
The only reason I did not give it a 5 is because the character Aglaya is so annoying. It was hard for me to read all of the parts with her in it, because all she does is "turn red", "stomp", or other synonymous phrases for reacting negatively to what Myshkin was saying. I think if I sensed that Dostoevsky wanted me to hate her, I would have still given it a 5, but judging from all of her admiring onlookers who just adored when she criticized someone in pretty much every part that she spoke, I think I'm supposed to find her... What? Smart? I can't.
Next is Devils!
If you would have told me that this was basically a deconstructive novel by Dostoevsky himself, I would have finished this novel a lot faster. Unfortunately it's been sitting on my shelf for over 10 years now, although soon after I got it I had gotten 1/4 of the way in.
The quickest comparison that comes to my mind is the movie Closer from 2004 starring Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts, but since I'm not sure how many people have seen that, I'm going to say that this novel is like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia but none of the funny and all of the tragic. I should probably specify that it has none of the IASiP funny, because there's definitely humor in it (hell, I laughed). It's more tragicomedy, but boy, that ending... Probably going to haunt me.
The only reason I did not give it a 5 is because the character Aglaya is so annoying. It was hard for me to read all of the parts with her in it, because all she does is "turn red", "stomp", or other synonymous phrases for reacting negatively to what Myshkin was saying. I think if I sensed that Dostoevsky wanted me to hate her, I would have still given it a 5, but judging from all of her admiring onlookers who just adored when she criticized someone in pretty much every part that she spoke, I think I'm supposed to find her... What? Smart? I can't.
Next is Devils!
martin888's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had such a toxic relationship with that book. Like I wanted to give it 1 star for plot and characters, but then it throws those 5-star worthy phylosophy quotes and one liners at me??! How can I hate a book like that?
fr4nkie_99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shanehaby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cecim17's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
5.0