kittenluver54 's review for:

Netochka Nezvanova by Fyodor Dostoevsky

4.75

dark emotional sad 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

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The novel has four main parts: the step-father's life, young Netochka with her step-father, young Netochka with the prince's family, and Netochka's life with Alexandra Mikhailovna. All have their own interesting parts. The step-father believes he is a great violinist, but once he gets a family, he blames them for his inadequacies with it. He can not come to terms with him not being a good player. Her relationship with him is a complicated one because he guilts her into giving him money he shouldn't have and makes her hate her mother. This part of her life is fascinating. However, my favorite would have to be her with the prince's family. The banter between Netochka and all the different types of people in the house makes for an interesting time in her life. She and Katya share a relationship that is almost romantic and filled with adoption from Netochka's part. However, the prince has to go to Moscow to check on his other grandchild, and they are separated. They grow distant, and we never get to see them back together. The way that Netochka feels a need to protect Alexandra from pain is sweet, but it leads to problems with the husband, when he finds a love letter that is for Alexandra but assumes is for Netochka.  At the end of the story, Netochka is kicked out of the house because of the encounter with the husband and letter, which leads to her death. I wish Dostoevsky were able to continue this story because I know it would have been a good one. This was only supposed to be her backstory for his bigger plan, and it is already amazing. The story is so short, but there is so much to talk about. I highly recommend.