Reviews

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

cassie_reader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

***Easily one of my favorite reads of all time.***

Oh this is every existential thinker’s DREAM. 
I’ve never had such an urge to highlight, annotate, read critical analyses, & watch endless YouTube videos for any singular book in my life. 

Dostoyevsky’s writing touched on so many complex psychological ideas that he somehow was able to make not only digestible but RELATABLE. 

I’m still struggling for words to make sense of everything I’m thinking & feeling after this read… 


One article I read titled “the depiction of mental illness in the work of Dostoyevsky” by Allan Beveridge wrote a viewpoint of Dostoyevsky’s writing that felt spot on to me: 
“The core of Dostoyevsky’s depiction of madness is his view that it is a manifestation of a moral, spiritual crisis- his characters struggle with profound moral & spiritual questions and in the process lose their reason.”
It goes on to say : 
“…madness in Dostoyevsky’s characters results from the battle between good & evil in the human heart.” 

This just itches my empathic brain & waters my desire for deeper understanding of the human condition in ways I have not yet fully processed through. 

It’s safe to say I now have a MASSIVE reader’s crush on Dostoyevsky & will definitely brave more of his works. 

pandarius_pinkman's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad fast-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

3.5

skand_prateek's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A seminal exploration of existentialist themes. The novel is split into two parts: first being a monologue by the unnamed narrator, often referred to as the Underground Man, and the second detailing his interactions with others.
One of the novel’s most compelling features is its raw and unfiltered presentation of the narrator's inner turmoil. The Underground Man is both repellent and pitiable, a character who oscillates between self-loathing and egotism. His philosophical ruminations are dark and often unsettling, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and society. The narrative's fragmented structure and the narrator's unreliable nature force readers to engage deeply with the text to decipher its meaning. This can make the novel a challenging read, but also a profoundly rewarding one for those willing to grapple with its intricacies. "Notes from Underground" is not a novel that provides easy answers or comfort. Instead, it delves into the complexities of human existence and the paradoxes of freedom and rationality. Dostoevsky’s incisive critique of contemporary philosophical thought and his unflinching portrayal of the darker aspects of the human condition make it an essential read.

kmt75's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

itsbarbaraborba's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

braedon_schlechte's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective 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

2.5

Low rated not because of quality but simply to reflect my own enjoyment of it. The first half is philosophical musings which I found comedic but unfortunately pertained to a grander context with which I am not familiar. Still, it was rather enjoyable compared to the second half which is composed of anecdotes knowingly concocted to be detestable. I read to escape, this book made me sad. 

sr15's review against another edition

4.0

A strange book amusing, horrifying, pity being the key emotions.

kenzthekid's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

reduck's review against another edition

3.0

I appreciate the influence this and other books by Dostoevsky would have on Herman Hesse and others. At this moment I seem to enjoy their writing more overall.

wesbian's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

a bunch of yapping. 
the opening paragraph is one of my favourites ever.
overall a decent book to read but i prefer his longer slow paced novels as i did find it quite hard to follow along to his rants.