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A review by zander_egervari
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
5.0
Throughout the book the Prince is frequently likened to an idiot, often to his face, because of his simpleheartedness and naivety. Despite this, Myshkin is quick to forgive and his supernatural sense of empathy allows him to make extraordinarily intelligent observations about the world and the people in it. Even though this empathy can be considered his greatest strength, it also turns out to be his greatest weakness in the end. The empathy he felt for Nastasya caused him to lose his mind upon seeing her corpse and his unconditional compassion did not prevent Aglaya and most of his friends from leaving him after the scandal. Considering his actions it is not hard to see the portrayal of Christ in the way Myshkin treats others as well as in his views on society and religion.
"The Idiot" was Dostoevsky's favorite of his works and this becomes apparent once the reader sees how there is some of Dostoevsky himself within the pages. For example, Myshkin's epileptic condition, the implications of a canceled execution, and the display of overt Christian values, to name a few commonalities, are all direct projections of the author. Unfortunately due to circumstances, the novel was extremely rushed and resultantly incoherent at times. Dostoevsky is quoted saying "Much in the novel was written hurriedly, much is too diffuse and did not turn out well, but some of it did turn out well. I do not stand behind the novel, but I do stand behind the idea." This leads me to consider "The Idiot" as an incomplete piece and am remised to think of what it could have been. Nonetheless I personally believe the book to be a masterpiece as it is. The characters felt so real that I frequently felt as if I were sitting there beside them, experiencing their insightful loquacity at critical moments for myself.
Regardless of the book's unfortunate shortcomings I would recommend it to anyone up for a challenging but fulfilling read.
"The Idiot" was Dostoevsky's favorite of his works and this becomes apparent once the reader sees how there is some of Dostoevsky himself within the pages. For example, Myshkin's epileptic condition, the implications of a canceled execution, and the display of overt Christian values, to name a few commonalities, are all direct projections of the author. Unfortunately due to circumstances, the novel was extremely rushed and resultantly incoherent at times. Dostoevsky is quoted saying "Much in the novel was written hurriedly, much is too diffuse and did not turn out well, but some of it did turn out well. I do not stand behind the novel, but I do stand behind the idea." This leads me to consider "The Idiot" as an incomplete piece and am remised to think of what it could have been. Nonetheless I personally believe the book to be a masterpiece as it is. The characters felt so real that I frequently felt as if I were sitting there beside them, experiencing their insightful loquacity at critical moments for myself.
Regardless of the book's unfortunate shortcomings I would recommend it to anyone up for a challenging but fulfilling read.