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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
an interesting book although it's not his strongest work in my opinion. the writing was top-notch as per usual (kudos to the translator! because i don't know how much credit should go to the translator). the story itself didn't fully grab my attention but I kept reading because i was hooked on the dostoevsky's writing style. the main character with all his confusion actually brought some comedic moments that were enjoyable and also gave some second hand embarrassment. not fully satisfied with the story and the ending.
Honestly, just read Gogol's The Overcoat instead. This is derivative of Gogol, 100 pages too long, and an almost unreadable slog (not least because of a narrator with the most irritating pattern of speech). I did like the ending though, not because of the resolution but because the dawning horror that Goliadkin feels is so well written and helps the reader share his sadness and resignation.
tense
Read in translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
doppelgänger: German (literally "double-walker") - a biologically unrelated look-alike, or a double, of a living person. In fiction, a doppelgänger is usually seen as a harbinger of bad luck.
Here we have an introvert who, dissatisfied with his station in life, tries desperately to elevate his social standing while combating a debilitating inferiority complex. Along the way, his persecutory delusion and paranoia blossom into full blown schizophrenia which itself mushrooms into a dissociative identity disorder. Or does it..?
Dostoyevsky himself labeled this literary experiment unsuccessful but I rather enjoyed it (especially after I stopped trying so hard to understand it).
Here we have an introvert who, dissatisfied with his station in life, tries desperately to elevate his social standing while combating a debilitating inferiority complex. Along the way, his persecutory delusion and paranoia blossom into full blown schizophrenia which itself mushrooms into a dissociative identity disorder. Or does it..?
Dostoyevsky himself labeled this literary experiment unsuccessful but I rather enjoyed it (especially after I stopped trying so hard to understand it).
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
slow-paced