Hello, I’m a Dostoevsky fan. I loved C&P, Demons, White Nights, and Notes from the Underground, so I was looking forward to reading TBK, because it’s widely regarded as his masterpiece. I was thoroughly disappointed because I was just so, so bored. I’m 40% of the way in and it feels like I dragged myself to get there. It’s the most theological of his works and that simply does not interest me. I did appreciate the religious themes in his other works I’ve read, but somehow this is different. Should I push through, or should I throw in the towel and drop it?
Just finished my first reading and am already looking forward to reading it again someday.
I recommend the translation by Andrew MacAndrew.
Which translation are you reading? Matters a lot in my experience.
Give yourself grace. TBK was not meant to be consumed like most novels. Take your time. It took me 6 months to read it. A few parts were slow. But I do not regret it one bit. What helps me push through challenging text is to read multiple books at one time. While reading TBK I also read The Nightingale and The Book Thief.
I plead you to continue my friend do not lose it.
I also dropped TBK. Decided to reread it in another moment of my life.
Recently heard about this author, can you suggest a book for a beginner?
Crime and Punishment or Notes from the underground for most people. My first one was The Idiot and I don't regret it!
For me idk why but the father zossima scene at the very beginning when he’s imparting wisdom to Alyosha and the 3 people asking for blessings kept me in the book, also how Dostoevsky keeps things intentionally ambiguous definitely keeps you reading. I took pauses though, some days I would forget and I feel like sometimes it’s necessary to dwell on what you read maybe that’s the case for you.
I don't know why nobody is mentioning this but the second half of TBK is vastly different then the first half. The first half is a lot of theological and moralistic discussion and if that's not your cup of tea then yes, it can be a slog. But you're almost to the part where the plot kicks in. The second half is paced much more like C&P, where the plot takes centre stage, and you get to experience all the signature depravity that we have come up to expect from Dostoevsky. But the thing that makes TBK such a standout is that all the moral quandaries broached in the first half become important themes in the plot of the second half. It's like Dostoevsky sets up a philosophical framework and then shows you how all those themes play out in real life.
So stick with it, you don't have much more to get through before it'll seem like the FyoDo you know and love.
i see, thanks for this
My pleasure. And ignore the jackasses here who insulted your intelligence. I don't really care too much for overly philosophical works either, so it took me a long time to begin to enjoy TBK, too.
I guess yeah, you should keep pushing. I felt the same in Demons and still, that's why I switched to audiobooks. One of the core things about Dostoevsky's works is that the writer takes time to make you like the characters, the city, the society he talks about..etc. Unlike the usual novels that contains some sort of adventures or excitement, Dostoevsky's are run of the mill lives with real emotions and normal event that should grew in you so you become attached to it.
You should drop Dostoevski altogether, you clearly don't understand his works and they aren't for you
This sounds so arrogant and mean spirited. Touch grass unc
Are you American by any chance?
Not American and also think you are being an asshole
If saying that a certain type of literature simply doesn’t match someone’s preferences based on the information they voluntarily provide makes me an asshole, then fine, I’m an asshole
You should encourage OP to keep up reading instead of despise him. He's a nice guy, he tried to do his best.
Come on, be nice and let's all be friends here !
No, you are an asshole because you implied OP is intelectually inferior. You are halfway to saying “to be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand [Dostoevsky]”, which, in your defense I guess, is a surprisingly common opinion in this sub.
No, the only thing my opinion implies is that reading literature based on theology isn’t the best choice for someone uninterested in theology. If you think that a lack of interest in theology makes someone intellectually inferior, that’s on you. I never said it, nor did I imply it.
this is rather mean spirited. ive enjoyed a large body of his work and i’ve been considering picking up books on russian orthodoxy to understand him better because i consider him one of my favorite authors despite my differences in belief, and i read up on commentary because i know my understanding is lacking.
My friend, if you’re not into theology or morals why are you reading Brothers K?
i mentioned that i did appreciate it in his other works but somehow it just wasn’t clicking for me with this one. i tried a different translation though and im a lot happier with it so i guess that was the issue.
Which translation did you start with, and which did you replace it with?
I will say, a lot of the details in the first half come full circle. You will have a much greater appreciation of earlier conversations and events when all the crazy shit in the second half plays itself out. You will be left being like damnnnnn..... and those earlier plot lines will hit so hard
im looking forward to it!!
Keep pushing. In a way it’s like Tarantino movie. Slow build up until havoc break
keep going. It is probably the greatest novel ever written. I read the spark notes alongside it to make sure I wasnt missing anything important. Joseph Frank has written some decent commentary about the novel - it’s worth reading him as well.
I second this; am halfway through Frank’s “A Writer in his Time” and just find Dostoevsky’s life fascinating. At times it has enriched my understanding of the novels I have read.
Just listen to the audiobook
I completely understand what might be causing you discomfort while reading; it's a recurring issue with The Idiot. But keep going, you'll be rewarded with memorable scenes and an ending that will stay with you long after you've finished the book.
It’s worth plowing through- but no reason not to skip back to the narrative if it’s going off on a tangent
It took me 3 tries to get past the monastery.
Push through if you can, but maybe try another translation.
Update: I switched to Katz’ translation and I’m having a waaaay better time than before
What translation were you reading before?
i was reading P&V. i did some digging and it seems to have mixed reviews
Thanks for the update, I'm reading Katz's C&P and planned on reading Brothers next. I'll make sure I get Katz again.
that’s a good idea actually. i’ll try to look for one that’s more accessible
Imagine that you are reading the most detailed soap opera of all time. It’s character, dialogue, and theme driven.
push through. it’s the greatest novel ever written.