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A review by ninjawolf
Aufzeichnungen aus dem Kellerloch by Fyodor Dostoevsky
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I don’t even know what to give this one, I had a love-hate relationship while reading it.
I wanted to love it because I love Dostoevskij, I liked the beginning, I hated reading some parts though, I could kind of see myself in some things (unfortunately) and not at all in most (fortunately).
I like how Dostojewski is able to portrait people, especially the dark in people, and show us how an idea, a mindset brings you to some truly despicable actions. Also it’s astonishing how relatable his works are, even if only in theory.
I think I simply wasn’t in the right mood for this, first: it’s inevitable to encounter sexism in classics (some more some less), you just have to set it apart but I had troubles doing that this time, which dampened my reading of the second part, second: I’m getting in such an optimistic mindset in my personal life that I have the feeling it’s sometimes difficult to « get » or maybe care? what the main character is all about.
To be fair: I still enjoyed it, just not as much as other stuff he wrote. (Even though I loved the monologue in the beginning and think it’s brilliantly done)
I think if you want to give it a try, try to read it in as less sittings as possible to really enter the vibe, also knowing something he wrote before this (for example crime and punishment, I see correlations here) and/or some theories that were around at the time (because he reacts to them!) will enhance your reading.
If you want a lot of plot: this is a monologue, very philosophical and psychological and there’s also narrative in the second part of the book but it’s more of a character study, so there ain’t much of plot here.
I wanted to love it because I love Dostoevskij, I liked the beginning, I hated reading some parts though, I could kind of see myself in some things (unfortunately) and not at all in most (fortunately).
I like how Dostojewski is able to portrait people, especially the dark in people, and show us how an idea, a mindset brings you to some truly despicable actions. Also it’s astonishing how relatable his works are, even if only in theory.
I think I simply wasn’t in the right mood for this, first: it’s inevitable to encounter sexism in classics (some more some less), you just have to set it apart but I had troubles doing that this time, which dampened my reading of the second part, second: I’m getting in such an optimistic mindset in my personal life that I have the feeling it’s sometimes difficult to « get » or maybe care? what the main character is all about.
To be fair: I still enjoyed it, just not as much as other stuff he wrote. (Even though I loved the monologue in the beginning and think it’s brilliantly done)
I think if you want to give it a try, try to read it in as less sittings as possible to really enter the vibe, also knowing something he wrote before this (for example crime and punishment, I see correlations here) and/or some theories that were around at the time (because he reacts to them!) will enhance your reading.
If you want a lot of plot: this is a monologue, very philosophical and psychological and there’s also narrative in the second part of the book but it’s more of a character study, so there ain’t much of plot here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Sexism