Demons
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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This novel ("Demons") works on many levels. For example, in terms of plot, this book is a (1) suspense story about conspiracy and political mischief in a city. In within the suspense, (2) there is also a disheartening love story, and (3) a political element. Also, it is a philosophical novel (4) which discusses the existence of God, as well as (5) the corruptive power of some ideas.
At its most important, philosophical level, this book’s title hints at the main theme: “Demons...more
At its most important, philosophical level, this book’s title hints at the main theme: “Demons...more
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all dostoevsky's usual tricks are here: his dense, documentary-like prose, succession of dialogue-heavy scenes leading up to a huge scandal, all his idiots and villians and beggers, his dark and keen psychological insight... yup, it's all in Demons, but, goddamn, did i find this a chore to read. the characters, to me, felt too much as stand-ins for (albeit, insightful and interesting) ideas, and the plotting was laborious and repetitive... that said, it's amazing how the man laid out the breadcr...more
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recommends it for:
comunistas, idealistas, nihilistas, románticos... En definitiva, todo el mundo.
'Demonios' fue el primer Dostoievski que leí y aún sigue siendo mi favorito. Es probablemente el más abiertamente cómico y divertido. Es una lúcida anticipación de a lo que le pasaría en Rusia en los años del comunismo. Es un duro golpe al idealismo. Es una feroz crítica a los que van de modernos porque está de moda. Es una lúcida e implacable radiografia del alma humano. Es un mecanismo de relojería que funciona perfectamente. Tiene una estructura perfecta: Dosto presenta un gran n...more
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Read in August, 2005
This was my first foray into Russia's master of literature. I have to admit, I was on my way to the beach when I read this and I couldn't wait to start....I read this outloud to my husband as we drove.
A tale leading up to a political nightmare that was much too close to not be effected. The characters were diverse and yet none went untouched by the tragedy of men becoming slaves to their own ideas and fears.
I must admit that this is probably the only tale I've ever read where nearl...more
A tale leading up to a political nightmare that was much too close to not be effected. The characters were diverse and yet none went untouched by the tragedy of men becoming slaves to their own ideas and fears.
I must admit that this is probably the only tale I've ever read where nearl...more
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Read in July, 2005
I was supposed to read this one for school but it was so long that I had to sacrifice finishing it to focus on classes that were, you know, in my major. I went back and read it from beginning to end a couple of years later. I am glad I did; it gives you a window into the mindset of the Russian aristocracy and intelligentsia of the time, as well as some interesting commentary from Dostoevsky and quite a bit of dry humor.
Partly due to my lack of historical context, I couldn't quite always te...more
Partly due to my lack of historical context, I couldn't quite always te...more
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Nikolay Stavrogin is one of my favorite characters ever. A little screwed-up, but super bad-ass.
“I'll tell you what drives me to it,” he said sullenly, and looking round him he bent down to Ivan Ossipovitch's ear. The refined Alyosha Telyatnikov moved three steps farther away towards the window, and the colonel coughed over the Qolos. Poor Ivan Ossipovitch hurriedly and trustfully inclined his ear-; he was exceedingly curious. And then something utterly incredible, though on the other si...more
“I'll tell you what drives me to it,” he said sullenly, and looking round him he bent down to Ivan Ossipovitch's ear. The refined Alyosha Telyatnikov moved three steps farther away towards the window, and the colonel coughed over the Qolos. Poor Ivan Ossipovitch hurriedly and trustfully inclined his ear-; he was exceedingly curious. And then something utterly incredible, though on the other si...more
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Read in January, 2008
My least favorite of the four Dostoevsky books I've read (though still pretty damn good). Lots of great moments, but the plot as a whole is somewhat meandering, and the book kind of peters out at the end. Included at the end of this edition is an excised chapter from the middle of the book called "At Tikhon's." Apparently Dostoevsky's editor refused to allow this chapter to be included in the original edition, so it's been left out ever since, usually included in the appendix. I'm ...more
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Read in March, 2007
Excellent book, though you really have no clear idea of what is actually going on in the plot until about 300 pages in, so if you're reading it purely for a story, you may be tempted to put it down early.
If reading about a bunch of young anarchists causing trouble in a provincial Russian town, while various characters take a time out to discuss their atheism sounds like your idea of a fun Saturday night, order it now!
If reading about a bunch of young anarchists causing trouble in a provincial Russian town, while various characters take a time out to discuss their atheism sounds like your idea of a fun Saturday night, order it now!
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This is the only of Dostoevsky's longer novels that I have yet to read, and I've been keeping it aside- not out of procrastination, but to save and savor it. I guess the sooner I read it, the sooner I'll have forgotten enough of it to eventually reread it ;)
I went through kind of a Russian thing a few years ago and plowed through Crime and Punishment, the Brothers Karamazov, Netotchka Nezvanova, Notes from the Underground, the Idiot, a couple of collections etc, all fairly close together. ...more
I went through kind of a Russian thing a few years ago and plowed through Crime and Punishment, the Brothers Karamazov, Netotchka Nezvanova, Notes from the Underground, the Idiot, a couple of collections etc, all fairly close together. ...more
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I remember when I used to watch Three's Company, I would hate the moment when the "conflict" would show up...I was so happy just watching Jack fall over the sofa and Chrissy say something dumb...so...well...this book was phenomenal, and in part because, after 200 pages of domestic farce so good...to then get slapped in the face with the fact that maybe actually you're reading a Greek (more Greek than Shakespearean) tragedy and not just the Father Zossima scene again and again from Brot...more
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Read in January, 2006
I read this book because it had a censored chapter, which has now been included as an appendix, and I wanted to know why it was considered so appalling at the time. Now I know. The guy went to disturbing places with this story. It's pretty dry reading and nothing much seems to happen for a long time, but I'm glad I perservered with it. A story of murder, revolution and guilt (or lack of it). Best chapter was the one they had censored, but I'm not saying anything more about it, except it's t...more
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Read in April, 2005
recommends it for:
Your inner dissident
(Once again, the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation.)
By far my favorite Dostoevsky work, with the intricate plotlines following the story arc of a group of revolutionaries, this is well worth the trek. Often a victim of editing (this edition includes the sometimes removed chapter of "At Tikhon's") and disputed translation, it is certainly a cornerstone to keep on the shelf along with the rest of your subversive literature.
By far my favorite Dostoevsky work, with the intricate plotlines following the story arc of a group of revolutionaries, this is well worth the trek. Often a victim of editing (this edition includes the sometimes removed chapter of "At Tikhon's") and disputed translation, it is certainly a cornerstone to keep on the shelf along with the rest of your subversive literature.
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My sentimental favorite by my favorite novelist- takes top billing for political novel, brooding, byronic antihero, and epileptic, quasi-buddhist professional suicide, as well as being one of the most flat-out entertaining novels ever written, and containing perhaps the most emotionally devastating (to me, at least) scene in all of literature. Another to put on the list of books everyone should read.
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone who ever thought of staging Macbeth in pre-revolutionary Russia.
Among the most disturbingly prescient novels I've ever read.
Also, messy, convoluted, self-righteous, hilarious, cruel and often image obsessed--an unflattering (yet pretty damn honest)mirror of the revolutionaries, conspiracy theorists, armchair philosophers and wannabes of mid 19th century (and probably any you've ever known since).
Completely brilliant, very, very funny and utterly bleak.
Also, messy, convoluted, self-righteous, hilarious, cruel and often image obsessed--an unflattering (yet pretty damn honest)mirror of the revolutionaries, conspiracy theorists, armchair philosophers and wannabes of mid 19th century (and probably any you've ever known since).
Completely brilliant, very, very funny and utterly bleak.
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Read in January, 1996
On my list as one of the best books i have EVER read.... Camus and Dostoyevsky are my two favorite authors, and this has to be considered when talking about Dostoyevsky's work. Very long, and not the easiest to read (of course, the same can be said for Tolstoy, Dickens, Austen, Victor Hugo or any of the other 19th Century novelists who get paid by the word), but well worth it...
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Read in November, 2007
I'm glad I read this book, but I didn't necessarily enjoy it. I think that it is a "great book" in the sense that it contains a lot of important ideas, but the story and characterization basically serve as a platform for those ideas. It's pretty long and grueling to get through, so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who didn't REALLY want to read it.
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I am 80% done and find it to be the funniest and most absurd of his four great novels, as the critics said it would be. There is one scene when Stepan Vsevelodovich, an intelligent and well known man, responds to a colloquial, "well twist my nose" expression by actually twisting the old general's nose! Like wanting to punch an aquaintance!
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Read in December, 2003
recommends it for:
people who can handle a slow beginning
This is my favorite of dostoevsky's work. i think it has the most interesting social commentary and may be the predecessor to some of nietzche's thinking ( a theory of a professor that i had at UIC).
i love all of his work, but the character Stavrogin who graces this book, is so interesting, complex. Its really something.
i love all of his work, but the character Stavrogin who graces this book, is so interesting, complex. Its really something.
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Read in September, 2007
Now that I've finished, I see what the reviews mean by 'darkly funny' -- viciously funny might be more accurate, as the conclusion and denouement is pretty grim, even for 19th century Russian literature, but the situations and precisely drawn characters are hilarious and a joy to read, all the same.
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This book took me a year to read, and towards the end I just had to say, "I am not reading anything else until I have finished with this." Can Dostoevsky write beyond the fall of a guilty man, I do not know. There is one of the most beautiful lines about half way through the novel.
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