Reviews

Notes from Underground and the Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky

polynillium's review

challenging dark slow-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

2.0

nfleow's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

dreiac's review against another edition

3.0

Somewhat uncomfortably relatable in some bits.

lenas_books's review

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Notes from Underground was way better. 

tomdonlon98's review

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Interesting social commentary on 19th century Russia in both books, Dostoevsky uses his protagonists to challenge contemporarily accepted social practices and to shine a light on their cracks. Notes from underground is a distinctly more aggressive story, in that the protagonist is disillusioned and discordant with his place in society. As a clerk he feels worthless and powerless to change an oppressive regime, he turns his attention internally instead. The double was a slightly tougher read, with less wit than the prior, but the discourse on identity and social position is valuable and interesting to consider.

pernille_branden's review

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Notes from underground: 5 stars

The double: 3,5 stars

luism's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

dyphilleias's review

5.0

If I was self-isolating for this long, I would too end up like him!

staticmemories's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

vanisweeroom's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced