I have written a novel that imagines the past of Nastasya Filippovna, a character from Dostoevsky's The Idiot. (It is not yet published, and it was not written in English).
To those of you who, like me, appreciate Dostoevsky's work, what do you think of this idea? Would you be curious to read it, or do you consider it an unforgivable blasphemy?
I would be happy to hear your sincere opinions, and I'm also available to answer any questions you might have."
No comment.
Cool! Publish a chapter on Amazon, let us know, keep doing this, and when you have 5,000 people asking for the next chapter, go make a book deal with a publishing house.
She was a well written unhinged female character and she definitely had an interesting past.
It's not your character. Even if your work is great it's still not your character.
No doubt! And honestly, I would never be capable of creating a character like Nastasya. And I think very few writers would be. For me, Dostoevsky is not a great name in literature — he is literature.
Currently reading The Idiot. I would definitely be interested but it would need an introduction or something to really contextualize it considering that you aren’t Russian nor wrote it in Russian (which I don’t think is necessarily a bad thing). I could also see it being loosely based and inspired by her but modernized and taking place at least in the 20th century.
Interesting observation. As I’ve said in other responses, I did not set out to write a historical novel. So I think your view of the book as a work inspired by her, set in the 20th century, is a valid interpretation of my work. That said, my main artistic goal has indeed been to finish the book by delivering the Nastasya we know from The Idiot. But it also works as an independent novel — it isn’t necessary to have read The Idiot in order to read this book.
I am wary of fanfic - even Dostoevsky fanfic, but so long as it doesn't involve weird BDSM with some creature of Slavic folklore via an enemies-to-lovers trope, I suppose it would be ok.
That gave me a good laugh! Nothing that extreme... just some magical creatures, but nothing sexual! Just kidding... the story is conventional.
Absolutely. A think an exploration of Nastasya Filippovna from someone in the present day, with our current cultural discourse over trauma and psychology, would make for an interesting project
A very timely theme! I agree. The book is, to a certain extent, a psychological exploration of the formation of trauma. Of how a "normal" child becomes the character we know.
You mention that you are from Brazil, which in itself is not a negative thing. However, how can you contextually understand Dostoyevsky’s perception of Nastasya at all? I hope you have thoroughly researched Russia of that period its way of life, social and economic conditions, political atmosphere, and even aspects such as domestic spaces and housing design. Understanding these factors is crucial for an accurate interpretation. That said, congratulations as well; this is not an easy project.
Thank you for the comment.
Although I have a good historical knowledge of Russia at that time, my attempt is not to write a historical novel. As a 21st-century person, and not Russian, I feel I wouldn't have anything to add in that aspect.
My deliberate effort is in the formation of the characters, especially Nastasia.
I believe the themes she faces are timeless and, above all, human.
In that sense, I understand that the historical and cultural context is less relevant than if, for example, one were writing about Ivan Karamazov or Raskolnikov, whose stories are completely tied to the discussions of their time, even though the human nature of their dilemmas is also timeless.
I meant no disrespect that I want to clarify here . Any work deserves İts respect I just wanted to point out something crucial that I see important imo.
Perhaps this person being from Brazil and perceiving the character from a non-Russian cultural lense is what makes for a more interesting interpretation. "Accurate" to the original language/culture doesn't always make for the most interesting analysis
well, you have to operate inside certain boundaries if you calin as backstory of certain Russian based characters. It’s not like If I am from America, I will say X russian characters’s father and lineage came from usa and they were traders they drunk gin etc. I hope you understand my point and concern on the matter
So where can we buy it from?
I'm glad you're interested in the book!
The book is not yet published; I finished it recently. It was also not written in English, so it's impossible to know if it will ever be translated. I hope so!
Russian? In Dostoevskyian prose?
In Portuguese, I am Brazilian.
I consider the prose style to be quite different from Dostoevsky's, something I found essential for the project. One does not write like him, and I didn't want the book to sound false or like a poor imitation.
Ok. I will follow you. Looking forward to seeing you getting published.
That's awesome, thank you so much! I'll make sure to let you all know when it's published.
It's a very commendable achievement, so huge congrats! I think the journey alone of writting it was worth it.
Is it more of of a fanfiction? Or you intended to replicate dostoevsky as much as possible, as if it was written by him?
Thank you! It was a great challenge but also very rewarding to have done it!
I do not consider it fanfiction; I truly believe the text has literary value. I did not try to replicate Dostoevsky as if he were writing it, especially from an aesthetic standpoint. His influence is obviously thematic and in the attempt to write complex characters without simple Manicheism or judgments.
Sounds super interesting to read
Nastasya is my favourite character so I'll be down to read more about her.
what is there to imagine? dostoevsky has already told us enough about her past.
and did you write it or use chatgpt? the answer is clear judging from your comment history
Nowhere did he/she say I used chatgpt
The Idiot begins with Nastasya at age 25. My book covers her life from ages 8 to 20.
Regarding whether I wrote it or if GPT did: I respect your doubt, but honestly, I don't see how that could be proven by my comments, which are few, anyway. But in any case, I wrote it myself. It is a relatively extensive work (140,000 words), and upon reading it, it would be clear that an AI would not have the necessary depth of understanding of the character to write what is there.
That sounds like a good idea. She’s one of the most interesting characters in his works
I agree! My favorite character of his!