Scan barcode
santino1215's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
BOOK REVIEW
"The Village of Stepanchikovo"or "The Friend of the Family" (Other Translations) by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Constance Garnett Translation
"The Village of Stepanchikovo" is the second full-length novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first serialized and published in the year 1859. This work was written many years after Dostoevsky's Siberian exile thus changing him as a person and as a Christian. Narrated in first-person, the novel follows the story of Sergey Alexandrovich, a youngman who is summoned from St. Petersburg to the titular Village of Stepanchikovo to mediate and oversee the local affairs of the Village and to oversee the doings of his Cynical, passive-aggressive and narcissistic charlatan Foma Fomich Opiskin. The story also follows the struggle of three major characters, the protagonist Sergey, his Uncle Colonel Yegor Ilyich Rostanev and another local Mizinchikov, to marry the poor Stepanchikovo girl Nastenka. Though Opiskin encourages Rostanev to marry the wealthy Tatyana instead.
So how will the story play out?
MY THOUGHTS:
This was the first Dostoevsky novel I read in August and I was glad in doing so. This novel, alongside "Humiliated and Insulted" should be on the same level as Dostoevsky's four major novels because of their themes. I honestly don't know why these two other novels are underrated?
This novel does follow the themes of Adultery, Jealousy, Death and Vengeance. This novel does have a lot to narrate on the plots of betrayal, distrust and the grotesque. Sergey is a kind-hearted protagonist because of his accomodation of Nastenka, all the other suitors of Nastenka are all but winners.
This novel is of the essence. Sergey knew he was going to lose and with Foma's lobbying, would be unpopular within the Village itself and with the Village folk too. The gothic atmosphere, the brooding and the near-grotesque plot that the latter was yet to happen but luckily not.
This novel is worth-reading, I do feel guilty because I couldn't read or remember as much for this work than "Humiliated and Insulted". I am going to write a book review for the latter novel soon.
Date read:
8/23/22- 8/24/22
"The Village of Stepanchikovo"or "The Friend of the Family" (Other Translations) by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Constance Garnett Translation
"The Village of Stepanchikovo" is the second full-length novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first serialized and published in the year 1859. This work was written many years after Dostoevsky's Siberian exile thus changing him as a person and as a Christian. Narrated in first-person, the novel follows the story of Sergey Alexandrovich, a youngman who is summoned from St. Petersburg to the titular Village of Stepanchikovo to mediate and oversee the local affairs of the Village and to oversee the doings of his Cynical, passive-aggressive and narcissistic charlatan Foma Fomich Opiskin. The story also follows the struggle of three major characters, the protagonist Sergey, his Uncle Colonel Yegor Ilyich Rostanev and another local Mizinchikov, to marry the poor Stepanchikovo girl Nastenka. Though Opiskin encourages Rostanev to marry the wealthy Tatyana instead.
So how will the story play out?
MY THOUGHTS:
This was the first Dostoevsky novel I read in August and I was glad in doing so. This novel, alongside "Humiliated and Insulted" should be on the same level as Dostoevsky's four major novels because of their themes. I honestly don't know why these two other novels are underrated?
This novel does follow the themes of Adultery, Jealousy, Death and Vengeance. This novel does have a lot to narrate on the plots of betrayal, distrust and the grotesque. Sergey is a kind-hearted protagonist because of his accomodation of Nastenka, all the other suitors of Nastenka are all but winners.
This novel is of the essence. Sergey knew he was going to lose and with Foma's lobbying, would be unpopular within the Village itself and with the Village folk too. The gothic atmosphere, the brooding and the near-grotesque plot that the latter was yet to happen but luckily not.
This novel is worth-reading, I do feel guilty because I couldn't read or remember as much for this work than "Humiliated and Insulted". I am going to write a book review for the latter novel soon.
Date read:
8/23/22- 8/24/22
donzhivago's review against another edition
1.0
This is the single worst thing I have ever read in my life. This is not hyperbole.
satsoku's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gioivb's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
tajic_l's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
msgtdameron's review against another edition
4.0
This work is not a heavy read. It's a chuckle read. the humor is dark but it will make you smile. If your reading this review you understand Russian humor is dark on the best of days and this is no exception. If you like humor and or you like Dostoyevsky it's a good read.
gerolencia's review against another edition
5.0
“... é que sendo um tolo é mais fácil viver nesse mundo! Se eu soubesse, teria me registrado entre os tolos quando era bem mais jovem, e talvez agora fosse inteligente. Mas como quis ser inteligente cedo, acabei virando um velho tolo.”
kateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
A sometimes funny, delightfully depressing novella that'll learn ya (like anyone needs learnin') about how much it can suck when you don't stand up to your mother when she starts bringing quacks and charlatans and general assholes into your happy home.
morj's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0