The Adolescent
by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 249)
Read in June, 2005
recommends it for:
los que un día fueron adolescentes confusos y perdidos, o los que aún lo son
Creo que "El adolescente" muchas veces queda olvidada entre todas las obras de Dostoievski. Tengo la sensación de que se considera una obra menor, pero no lo es ni por asomo. Es mi favorita después de "Demonios", por encima de crímenes, castigos, idiotas y Karmazovs. Muy recomendable para entender (o recordar) lo que realmente es la adolescencia.
Lo primero que me sorprendió de "El adolescente" fue que el narrador en primera persona se pasara buena parte del...more
Lo primero que me sorprendió de "El adolescente" fue que el narrador en primera persona se pasara buena parte del...more
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Read in May, 2008
It's possible that Dostoevsky overstuffed the sandwich on this one, but even so I love him for his infectious exuberance for sandwiches and I devoured the messy thing with relish.
The Adolescent is a little like The Sound and the Fury (which I read 20 pages of), in that both are presented through the eyes of a narrator who's a little off. Much of the fun of The Adolescent comes from diagnosing the narrator, whose symptoms change significantly over the course of the book. Much of the frust...more
The Adolescent is a little like The Sound and the Fury (which I read 20 pages of), in that both are presented through the eyes of a narrator who's a little off. Much of the fun of The Adolescent comes from diagnosing the narrator, whose symptoms change significantly over the course of the book. Much of the frust...more
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Read in January, 2007
To be honest, compared with the other Dostoevsky works, this one takes a little getting used to. But it's well worth the work. The book is aptly about passion and youth and a youth's passionate inability to understand the world; if you read in this in conjunction with Notes from the Underground, this kind of makes an interesting pt. 1.
If anything, if you want to understand or get a glimpse into or at least be horrified by the male adolescent mind of a Russian teenage in 19th century Russia...more
If anything, if you want to understand or get a glimpse into or at least be horrified by the male adolescent mind of a Russian teenage in 19th century Russia...more
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Read in October, 2007
It was very interesting to read Dostoevsky's attempt to write in the voice of a 19-year-old. I was initially expecting this character to be 19 in age, but was skeptical that Dostoevsky would be able to accurately protray him as a realistic adolescent. To my utter amazement and delight, I think he succeeds in capturing this kid, not only in how he speaks, but in his total characterization. There are moments of high comedy that left me chuckling, and there were moments of tragic realization on ...more
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A tie between this and Crime and Punishment.
I never understood guys my own age until I read this book. Actually, Dostoevsky does more for me than any psychology textbook, his characters express themselves with real feelings. You never get the sense they were just imagined in someone's head and scribbled down. It's as if he's writing about real people with real lives whom he knows personally and cares deeply. Or in this case, perhaps writing about himself.
I never understood guys my own age until I read this book. Actually, Dostoevsky does more for me than any psychology textbook, his characters express themselves with real feelings. You never get the sense they were just imagined in someone's head and scribbled down. It's as if he's writing about real people with real lives whom he knows personally and cares deeply. Or in this case, perhaps writing about himself.
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As my friend Scott said, "You would read a book by Dostoevsky called 'The Adolescent?!'" Pretty angsty stuff, but it captures all the idealism, fanaticism, and sheer stupidity of adolescence to perfection...although considering the author, I wouldn't expect anything less than a joltingly accurate portrayal of human nature at any stage of life. It's not light reading, but definitely worthwhile if you have the time and patience for it.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
every adolescent
This is the first of Dostoevsky`s novels that I read.I`m impressed,I found myself in the main character,Dolgoruki.First I thought it`ll be boring because it`s a big novel,but it wasn`t boring at all!I loved it,especially the last part.I haven`t slept one night just to finish it.This is what I call a masterpiece.I didn`t expect to find in russian literature a theme like the alter-ego.I am very proud of me:>!I feel smart today.
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Read in May, 2006
I believe this is the least read of Dostoevsky's last five novels, but I think it fits well with the others. It centers on a complex father/son relationship, and all of the characters are interesting. And of course it all ties in with Fyodor's apocalyptic vision of Russia. I'll read it again someday.
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
highly
I think the existential trials of the 19-year-old narrator are a laugh-riot. For example: "He entered the carriage with a double-barrel shotgun, cartridges, a riding crop, and a bag of candy. We were going to the country." I think I just found my next tatoo.
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Read in January, 1999
Honestly, I can't remember this one very well. I was on a Dostoevsy kick for a while, but this one didn't stick as well as Crime and Punishment or the Brothers Karamazov. I gave it three stars because I can't remember not liking anything by Dostoevsky.
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Read in May, 2008
began this book last night. written in the first person which is different for dostoyevsky. it has all the wonderful characteristics of a russian novel! bastard son, distant father, fortunes lost and had! all the in the first 25 pages!
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On Mr Stephen Dobyns' recommendation
(that great man having identified a certain strain of immaturity in the attempted writing of yrs trly).
(that great man having identified a certain strain of immaturity in the attempted writing of yrs trly).
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Read in January, 2001
it was good then but i imagine it's a little weak now, you know, since i'm less likely to feel like this poor loner than i once did.
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Not as well-known as his some of his other novels, but his best in my opinion.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 2007
I am reading the translation by Pevear & Volokhonsky, my favorite translators.
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Nope didn't work. Will try again.
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