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A review by adelphiereads
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Before reading this novella, I read first Robert Louis Jackson's introduction and from there it was quite obvious that a lot of men had studied this work and tried to explain it thoroughly, even using Dostoevsky's words post-publication of this story. But this is what I love about classics, you can take the intended meaning of the author and the interpretation of scholars throughout the years, along with your own thoughts and interpretation of it.
The Underground Man concept that was discussed in the introduction was really on point. The duality discussed was also perfectly reflected on the story. But I saw something else in it. I saw a lonely man. A man who wanted to be seen by the world but has been isolated for so long that it burns him in anguish if it happened even for a brief second.
On another note, I admire and believe Dostoevsky's philosophy of man and his free will that was explained in the first part of the novella. This is because I have seen it play out a lot of times in the past and even nowadays. People doing something vile out of the blue after being so headstrong on their path of good.
The underground behavior is a really interesting concept. I think it's arguably true. I wouldn't go into details about the things discussed here. You have to see for yourself.
This is a very immersive novella that makes you question yourself and the people around you for a couple of times. It also evokes feelings of sympathy, anger, disgust, contempt and sadness. And one of the best part is that it has really good dark humor.
This is a perfect example of what Dostoevsky had said: "Tragedy and satire are two sisters who go hand in hand, and the name of both of them, taken together, is truth."
The Underground Man concept that was discussed in the introduction was really on point. The duality discussed was also perfectly reflected on the story. But I saw something else in it. I saw a lonely man. A man who wanted to be seen by the world but has been isolated for so long that it burns him in anguish if it happened even for a brief second.
On another note, I admire and believe Dostoevsky's philosophy of man and his free will that was explained in the first part of the novella. This is because I have seen it play out a lot of times in the past and even nowadays. People doing something vile out of the blue after being so headstrong on their path of good.
The underground behavior is a really interesting concept. I think it's arguably true. I wouldn't go into details about the things discussed here. You have to see for yourself.
This is a very immersive novella that makes you question yourself and the people around you for a couple of times. It also evokes feelings of sympathy, anger, disgust, contempt and sadness. And one of the best part is that it has really good dark humor.
This is a perfect example of what Dostoevsky had said: "Tragedy and satire are two sisters who go hand in hand, and the name of both of them, taken together, is truth."