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salma101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
luanabi's review against another edition
4.0
White nights: 5 stars
A gentle creature: 4 stars
Dream of a ridiculous man: 3 stars
A gentle creature: 4 stars
Dream of a ridiculous man: 3 stars
belleb1401's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
theuncultured's review against another edition
5.0
My new hobby is walking into a bookstore and picking up any of Dostoyevsky's collections of short stories that I don't currently own (I've only accidentally purchased the same collection ONCE.) That means I will have many copies that contain the same stories, hopefully a different translation, but a new book will always contain at least one new story that I haven't read before. This collection had two. A Gentle Creature and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. I loved them both very much. The latter read a little like Hesse and I wasn't concerned, nor disappointed. I can't escape Dostoyevsky's grasp on human nature and humanity, and his explicit understanding of the sociopaths in society. His stories and novels are constantly entertaining, delightful and full of profound knowledge and wisdom of the streets and the worlds behind closed doors. This book has prompted me to pick up The Gambler and Other Stories -an edition that contains FIVE stories I haven't read yet. Richard Brautigan was spot on when he described the correct way to end a year when he said: “I drank coffee and read old books and waited for the year to end.” That seems about right to me.
rue_krmzv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.75
fourmclaren's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Death and Grief
nlhill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
fyodorll's review against another edition
5.0
«Men are alone on earth - that is what is dreadful! “Is there a living man in the country?” cried the Russian hero. I cry the same, though I am not a hero, and no one answers my cry. They say the sun gives life to the universe. The sun is rising and - look at it, is it not dead? Everything is dead and everywhere there are dead. Men are alone - around them is silence - that is the earth! “Men, love one another” - who said that? Whose commandment is that? The pendulum ticks callously, heartlessly».
ssherm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Its just perfect. White nights and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man are very representative of Dostoevsky’s work and are both spectacular stories. White Nights is very much character based and show-not-tell philosophy/psychology, and embodies multiple enduring themes of Dostoevsky’s works, mainly living life inside the mind (being ‘a dreamer’) and how that impacts someone psychologically, and genuine human connection and the value of it. Its a beautiful story that captures the essence of his characters. The Dream of a Ridiculous Man was written later, and represents the kind of fully-fleshed out philosophical journeys he takes you on in his later works- The Brothers, Demons, etc. and explores another common theme in his writing- why tf can we all not just be good people and care for each other?