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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This book is too “a bit repetitive and boring” for me. Also it’s strange to be reading from the POV of someone who killed their wife. That’s a bit questionable. I do agree with Dostoevsky that prisons are evil 👍🏻
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Now, this is the fist work I’ve read from Fyodor Dostoevsky and once I started researching I found out that this isn’t understood to be his best work, so I will definitely read a book from him again. I still enjoyed this, but the pacing really stopped me from fully engaging with the story. Notes from a Dead House (aka the House of the Dead) is a semi-autobiographical novel, so it does explore the authors own experiences and philosophies on things which is very interesting. Now I’ll talk about the positives first (which is most aspects) and then at the end I’ll briefly discuss pacing since it’s my greatest issue.
Characters
Characters
- Aleksandr Petrovich Goryanchikov- The protagonist and narrator of the novel, based on Dostoevsky himself. He is a former nobleman who has been sentenced to live in the camp for killing his wife in a fit of rage, he provides an outsider’s perspective on the life and struggles of the common prisoners. Through his eyes, we gain insight into the harsh realities of prison life, as well as the psychological and moral transformations that occur within the camp.
- Akulika- A fellow prisoner whose background and personality are vividly described. He is a serf who killed his master. Akulika represents the diverse and often tragic backgrounds of the inmates. His interactions with other prisoners highlight the humanity and individuality that persist despite the dehumanizing conditions of the camp. The reason why he was put in prison also highlights class inequalities and how desperation can lead to outbursts.
- Petrov- Another prisoner who serves as a contrast to Aleksandr. Petrov’s resilience and determination to maintain his dignity in the face of adversity showcase the different ways individuals cope with imprisonment. His character underscores themes of hope and despair.
- Sushilov is a young, idealistic prisoner. Whose naivety and eventual disillusionment reflect the harsh realities that many prisoners face. His character arc illustrates the loss of innocence and the brutal awakening to the realities of life in the camp.
- The Major (Head of the Prison) is the authoritarian overseer of the prison. The Major embodies the cruelty and oppressive nature of the penal system. His interactions with the prisoners are marked by brutality and a lack of empathy, highlighting the inhumanity of the system.
- Aley is a A Muslim prisoner. Aley represents the ethnic and religious diversity within the camp. His character provides insight into how cultural and religious differences play out in the microcosm of the prison.
- Shishkov Is a A peasant prisoner with a tragic backstory. Shishkov’s tale of betrayal and revenge adds a dramatic and emotional layer to the narrative. His story serves as a powerful commentary on the cycle of violence and the impact of personal vendettas.
- Gazin- Gazin is a cunning and resourceful prisoner who uses his wits to survive the harsh conditions of the labor camp. His ability to navigate the prison’s social dynamics and exploit opportunities for personal gain highlights the survival instincts developed by prisoners. Gazin’s character reflects the moral ambiguities and ethical compromises that arise in such an environment.
- Lukin -, an older prisoner with a philosophical outlook, engages in deep conversations with Goryanchikov about life and morality. His reflections add intellectual depth to the novel, exploring themes of existence, morality, and the human condition. Lukin’s insights enrich the narrative and provide a counterbalance to the more immediate and visceral experiences of other characters.
- Baklushin, a former serf with a lively and jovial personality, brings a sense of camaraderie and humor to the prison camp. His storytelling and ability to entertain fellow inmates showcase the resilience of the human spirit, even in the darkest circumstances.
- Orlov, a hardened criminal with a violent past, often engages in conflict and aggression with other prisoners. His brutal and unforgiving nature presents a stark contrast to more reflective characters like Goryanchikov and Lukin. Orlov challenges Goryanchikov’s ideals and highlights the brutal realities of prison life.
Themes-
1. Suffering and Redemption:
• Dostoevsky explores how suffering can lead to personal redemption. The prisoners’ experiences in the labor camp force them to confront their inner selves and ultimately seek redemption.
2. Human Nature:
• The novel delves into the complexities of human nature, showing both the cruelty and compassion of the prisoners. Dostoevsky illustrates how extreme conditions can bring out both the worst and the best in people.
3. Freedom and Imprisonment:
• The contrast between physical imprisonment and the prisoners’ mental and emotional quest for freedom is a central theme. Despite being physically confined, the prisoners find ways to experience moments of freedom through relationships and inner reflections.
4. Moral and Social Critique:
• Dostoevsky critiques the Russian penal system and the broader social and moral structures of his time. He portrays the brutality and dehumanizing conditions of the labor camp, questioning the effectiveness and morality of such a system.
Pacing-
I have 2 problems with the pacing
1. The novel is composed of loosely connected vignettes rather than a continuous narrative. This episodic structure can make the pacing seem disjointed, as the story moves from one anecdote or reflection to another without a clear, linear progression. This also made it more difficult to connect to the characters since (in my opinion) we didn’t get enough time to sit with them and learn more about them.
2. Now, i’m OK with a novel that is more character, focused and more focused on themes as opposed to focused on plots. I’ve enjoyed plenty of novels that basically don’t have a stroked plot or like a rising action and stuff like that, but they still keep me enthralled in the story by having complex characters, however, because the pacing is so episodic, I found it very hard to connect to the characters so I basically think there should be more of a traditional plot structure, but I understand why the author didn’t make it so since the whole point is to kind of make it so that the days blend together just like how it is in prison. So if there wasn’t going to be like a very linear plot, I wish we just got more time to sync into the characters and maybe make the chapters longer.
1. Suffering and Redemption:
• Dostoevsky explores how suffering can lead to personal redemption. The prisoners’ experiences in the labor camp force them to confront their inner selves and ultimately seek redemption.
2. Human Nature:
• The novel delves into the complexities of human nature, showing both the cruelty and compassion of the prisoners. Dostoevsky illustrates how extreme conditions can bring out both the worst and the best in people.
3. Freedom and Imprisonment:
• The contrast between physical imprisonment and the prisoners’ mental and emotional quest for freedom is a central theme. Despite being physically confined, the prisoners find ways to experience moments of freedom through relationships and inner reflections.
4. Moral and Social Critique:
• Dostoevsky critiques the Russian penal system and the broader social and moral structures of his time. He portrays the brutality and dehumanizing conditions of the labor camp, questioning the effectiveness and morality of such a system.
Pacing-
I have 2 problems with the pacing
1. The novel is composed of loosely connected vignettes rather than a continuous narrative. This episodic structure can make the pacing seem disjointed, as the story moves from one anecdote or reflection to another without a clear, linear progression. This also made it more difficult to connect to the characters since (in my opinion) we didn’t get enough time to sit with them and learn more about them.
2. Now, i’m OK with a novel that is more character, focused and more focused on themes as opposed to focused on plots. I’ve enjoyed plenty of novels that basically don’t have a stroked plot or like a rising action and stuff like that, but they still keep me enthralled in the story by having complex characters, however, because the pacing is so episodic, I found it very hard to connect to the characters so I basically think there should be more of a traditional plot structure, but I understand why the author didn’t make it so since the whole point is to kind of make it so that the days blend together just like how it is in prison. So if there wasn’t going to be like a very linear plot, I wish we just got more time to sync into the characters and maybe make the chapters longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Antisemitism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Read this before in a different translation; this is P/V's version, and it's quite good barring the awkward reworking of the title. I know it's meant to be more authentic, but it just comes off as stilted. (See Janet Malcolm's essay "Socks" for why sometimes a more authentic translation is not necessarily a better one.)
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Not much of a plot, but really descriptive. I love how it’s written, and it’s surprisingly light considering it’s subject matter!
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
slow-paced
This will probably be my least favorite from Dostoevsky. There were some parts I really enjoyed but those did not save the overall pretty dull writing (sorry Fyodor). Would have liked it better as a collection of short stories
reflective
slow-paced
this literally took me weeks to read. there were a few moving chapters, but i have a feeling this will be my least favorite dostoevsky. would have enjoyed this more as an essay collection