does anybody else read Dostoyevsky?

[Krasnaya Lastochka]

I am a big Dostoyevsky fan...my all-time favorite book is "The Brothers Karamazov" with "Crime and Punishment" close behind. Anyone care to discuss the finer points of literature?

[skooooo]

1. I love Dostoyevsky....

....and have read both of those books, though it's been awhile. Probably the most memorable part of those two books for me was the chapter in Karamazov "The Grand Inquisitor".

Dostoevsky was so far ahead of his time in understanding the human psyche.

Nothing compares to Russian literature, imo.

[indigobusiness]

5. I agree, though I'm hardly expert.

I found a first edition of Solzhenitsyn's 'Gulag Archipelago' in a thrift store for pennies. It is a prized possession. I read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich when I was just a child...that clued me in to Russian writing, but I am woefully behind in my survey. I'm hoping this thread develops well.

[Emboldened Chimp]

2. I love Dostoyevsky, too..

though I must admit I had trouble reading The Devils. I got 200 into it and for some reason lost interest. I've also read Brothers Karamazov (an all-time favorite), Crime & Punishment, and Notes from the Underground.

[Zomby Woof]

3. yep

What's not to love about brooding Russian existential angst?

[Krasnaya Lastochka]

4. Anybody read "The Insulted and Injured"?

I have a copy of it...but it's in Russian so I can't read it as well as I could if it were in translation...is it worth the effort?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. "The Idiot" and "Brothers Karamazov" are great! ..bio sketch.....

Nov. 11, 1821 born in Moscow, son of a staff doctorat a charity hosiptal.
1838 entered army engineering college, St. Petersburg didn't like the training and read much literature.
1844 gave up army commission to write his first novel "Poor Folk"
1849 his participation in revolutionary group was punished and sentenced and spent 4 years in a Siberian prison.
1850, developed epilesy.
1854-58 stayed in Siberia and wrote "Uncles Dream" and "Friend of the Family"while there.
1855 first marriage failed.
1856 returns to Moscow and publishes a monthly peridical "Time".
1866, writes "Crime and Punishment"
1867 marries his stenographor they have 4 children of which 2 die young
1868 almost unnoticed by Russian critics he write "The Idiot" one of his most discerning and powerful. Published in a period of revolutionary agitation, its universal theme - a good man in human society - was not considered timely.
1874 "The Adolesent"( or "A Raw Youth")was unfriendly
1879 his last and GREATEST novel "Brothers Karamazov
1870's in Dostoyevsky's last years revolutionary activity in Russia was increasing, with attempts on the life of the Czar and high state officials. He became very conservative, edited a conservative weekly, and felt that Russia and the Orthodox Church alone were fated to lead Europe and the world from evil to good.
Feb. 9, 1881 died in St. Petersburg.

[Fenris]

7. I love "Crime and Punishment" but have never been able

To make it through "The Brothers Karamozov".

[LWolf]

8. Yes

but not in a dozen years. I'd have to reread him to discuss anything intelligently.

I've read both Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov, but nothing else that he wrote.

"Brothers" was also my favorite between the two, but I don't remember why at this distance!

[henslee]

9. Notes from the Underground is hysterical. (and a short, easy read)

A good way to creep up on him. I think some new translations of him are supposed to be real good.