jedwards97 's review for:

The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky

3.0

challenging funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This didn’t hit the mark for me. I find Dostoyevsky’s work a little more profound in the way of human psychology, this one feeling a little flat, as if only a superficial exploration of mania. I usually love the way he manages to capture small essences of the world in such a humane way, yet in this it seemed he deviated by adding some fantastical element which, while making the plot somewhat interesting, dejected me from grasping the horrific nature of the narrators psychological torment. It wasn’t all gloom (even though the plot essentially was), because as always his exemplary characters are engaging and the scenes he creates are able to inspire the greatest of sympathies, hilarities, and loathings. I would still recommend this book, I only found a portion of myself disappointed that is deviated from his usual style.