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kavreb's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Notes from the Underground, or, The Diaries of an Absolutely Insufferable Ass
To start the book with lengthy monologues by this insufferable ass where he lays out his understanding of the world, instead of the much more “fun” events of the second part that end up taking up the majority of the book, is a daring choice, but I guess Dostojevski never really cared much about retaining his readers.
Looking back, however, it is perhaps a wise choice, drawing our understanding of this psychology, maybe even earning our empathy, before thrusting it into the reality of his times, and showing clearly how broken he is.
Well, certainly the times are broken as well, and I have no doubt that many of the faces he despises are worthy of despise; but if by the end of the book the lead has not earned your despise as well, then Dostojevski has, I'd wager, failed.
There is certainly room for empathy, because this is a man who both considers himself the smartest person around and yet hates himself with a passion; who knows he is a POS, and yet cannot help but be a POS; and who looks back at his youth with regrets at what he calls a stupid a man, one still incapable of love without cruelty or certainty without mockery, and there’s a certain understanding and sadness at his own horrible form that you cannot help but perhaps consider also of yourself.
Because for as wretched and unique this man may be, there is much in him that we may as well see in ourselves; and if reading a psychological writing this in-depth doesn't make you for even a moment consider your own psychology, then perhaps you are reading the wrong book.
I certainly pinged between recognition and horror and horror at recognition. To describe the recognition would be too personal (even if nobody really reads any of these book reviews that I write), but the man lay heavy on my mind, even as the distance between us grew in his wretchedness. At the very least there are aspects of him to consider, and if not that, of oneself, fuelled by the honesty with what he approaches himself, for while I (and you) may be most unlike him, we are all in our own ways somewhat wretched; and while we may despise him, we must respect the bravery (of this fictional character) with which he is willing to put down in writing all his humiliation, not as penitence, but something closer to punishment.
For while he is wretched, he is also painfully aware of it; and while he is as dishonest as he is honest, so too are we all, especially when it comes to truthfully looking into the eyes of our worst (and, sometimes, best) accomplishments.
Dostojevski, sometimes boring, often meandering, has a considerable point to the endeavour, and while his writing may be requiring of the reader, even if often more humorous than most people expect upon hearing his heavy name, it is also most serious about the state of one’s psychology.
And if you can't handle that, my recommendation would be to learn; for to be blind to oneself, is to be blind to the world; and that too is oh so insufferable.
harshwadkute's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marimbhl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
areen's review
4.5
mostly philosophical anecdotes, some of which were surprisingly relevant, but the man sometimes yaps too much and tested my attention span lol. one of my fave highlights from the book I feel the need to share 🤭:
"I never managed to become even an insect. I'll tell you solemnly that I wanted many times to become an insect. But I was not deemed worthy even of that. I swear to you, gentlemen, that to be overly conscious is a sickness, a real, thorough sickness."
"I never managed to become even an insect. I'll tell you solemnly that I wanted many times to become an insect. But I was not deemed worthy even of that. I swear to you, gentlemen, that to be overly conscious is a sickness, a real, thorough sickness."
lonodopo's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mvttia's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even tho the first part may result slow and boring at times, it’s necessary for the purpose of the second part. I recommend reading Nabokov’s opinion on this excellent book.
dhishan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tayboud's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5