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loyaultemelie 's review for:
Demons
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm giving this a five stars, knowing that it didn't perhaps shatter my world like Crime and Punishment, but is nevertheless a masterful piece of literature that deserves its praises sung. It's easily my second favorite Dostoevsky novel to date (and third favorite Dostoevsky work behind "the Meek One"). There were parts of it that I just tore through, completely unaware of which page I was on, only wanting to know more. There are few books which make me resent the need to sleep instead of continuing on. This is one of these books.
I would like to write more about what I enjoyed, but so close to finishing it, I think my thoughts haven't quite lined up together yet. I'll probably rewrite this review at some point, but until then have my unadulterated thoughts.
I adored Marya Timofeevna and Marie Shatova and their parallels and contrasts in connection with Shatov. I thought Pyotr Stepanovich a fascinating character, and contrasting in a very interesting way with Stavrogin. I also continue to believed in Dostoevsky's phenomenal use of suspense - the Introduction, though not very good, designated Part III as the 'Psychological Novel' and I do believe that it is this part which shines the most in terms of pacing, it already reminded me the most of Crime and Punishment. I also adore Dostoevsky's continual conversations with philosophies, even ones he dislikes. He's not one to make a character wishy-washy on their beliefs, which makes the conversation between characters always incredibly moving (this is also a highlight of Crime and Punishment, and if I'm comparing the two too often it is only to explain why Demons surpassed the Idiot and other Dostoevsky works in my opinion).
I also think the sense of tragedy - in a very sort of dramatic irony, Aristotelian sense - was phenomenal in this work. Really wonderful, I kept coming back to it. The book, which was almost all leading up to the crime instead of the fallout, was not what I was expecting, but it worked so well. Your heart breaks for all these characters who cannot see their fate lined up right in front of them, even as you yell at them to change their path. It's really moving.
Those are the main thoughts I have for now. I hope this book will only grow on me more as time passes. As it stands now, this is one of my favorite books of the year. Onward and upward! Only the Brothers Karamazov left!
I would like to write more about what I enjoyed, but so close to finishing it, I think my thoughts haven't quite lined up together yet. I'll probably rewrite this review at some point, but until then have my unadulterated thoughts.
I adored Marya Timofeevna and Marie Shatova and their parallels and contrasts in connection with Shatov. I thought Pyotr Stepanovich a fascinating character, and contrasting in a very interesting way with Stavrogin. I also continue to believed in Dostoevsky's phenomenal use of suspense - the Introduction, though not very good, designated Part III as the 'Psychological Novel' and I do believe that it is this part which shines the most in terms of pacing, it already reminded me the most of Crime and Punishment. I also adore Dostoevsky's continual conversations with philosophies, even ones he dislikes. He's not one to make a character wishy-washy on their beliefs, which makes the conversation between characters always incredibly moving (this is also a highlight of Crime and Punishment, and if I'm comparing the two too often it is only to explain why Demons surpassed the Idiot and other Dostoevsky works in my opinion).
I also think the sense of tragedy - in a very sort of dramatic irony, Aristotelian sense - was phenomenal in this work. Really wonderful, I kept coming back to it. The book, which was almost all leading up to the crime instead of the fallout, was not what I was expecting, but it worked so well. Your heart breaks for all these characters who cannot see their fate lined up right in front of them, even as you yell at them to change their path. It's really moving.
Those are the main thoughts I have for now. I hope this book will only grow on me more as time passes. As it stands now, this is one of my favorite books of the year. Onward and upward! Only the Brothers Karamazov left!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder