Notes From Underground -Part 2 Jan 22-Jan 31

[Silver]

For discussing Part 2 of Notes from Underground. Please be aware if you have not completed this section spoilers may be posted here.

[[deleted user]]

Well I just finished this book. And I still don't know what to think of it.

[Bigollo]

Jamie wrote: "Well I just finished this book. And I still don't know what to think of it."

Did you enjoy reading it at all?
Do you have any desire to maybe reread the book at some point in the future or you’d rather forget it whatsoever?

The book impressed me quite a bit when I was reading it. If only for just the language itself. It kept changing my mood. I noticed that during the time of reading it, even the tone of my voice changed ever so slightly when I was talking to people.

And as with any good art/literature, it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly what we like about it. Whether it shakes our emotions - that’s what matters. And the opposite seems to be true: When it’s easy to break the book down into pieces and explain it all through and through, then we most likely are dealing with a pretty boring and simplistic book.
(Talking about a fiction book, of course.)

This book made me start to think about things not necessarily having anything to do directly with the story. It was mostly about my own life. Or things that I promised myself many times not to ever think about again. Like the problem of free will for instance:)

[[deleted user]]

I will more then likely reread it again some time. My mom told me that she wants to read it so after she reads it we will talk about it. For me right know the book remained me a little bite of The Catcher in the Rye. I do have to say that I liked this book a lot better then Rye. :)

[Bigollo]

Jamie wrote: "I will more then likely reread it again some time. My mom told me that she wants to read it so after she reads it we will talk about it. For me right know the book remained me a little bite of [boo..."

It’s interesting that you mentioned the Catcher in the Rye:). I read this book long ago and I liked it a lot. Now that you mentioned it I want to reread it:). I remember I was sick (maybe that was a factor too) and my son brought the Catcher to me (I think they were reading it at school or something). And I was in a painful process of learning English (as my second language) at that point too. I remember the dialogue between the major character and his sister impressed me as the best dialogue that I’d ever read. Not to mention the humor of the book:).

[Bigollo]

Jamie wrote: "For me right know the book remained me a little bite of The Catcher in the Rye..."

And since we started to compare books. I just read The Stranger by Albert Camus. That one reminded me of the Notes too. From first person, very reflective as well. There are two short quite different parts in it as well. Seems like Dostoyevsky had established a style:).

[[deleted user]]

This book for me was very philosophical in places. I was expecting a store not really a book that I would read in a philosophy class. (Though the only other Russian book I have read is Anna Karenina)All in all I have to say I started to enjoy the book more when I gut to part two.

[Margaret]

My thoughts about the reading of the book, is that oftentimes we are so used to the author stating everything out clearly in the storyline that we don't have to dig deep into what is going on. Every good artist should leave enough of the painting "undone" to allow the engagement of the viewer; I am not sure if this applies to good writing but I couldn't help but to make the correlation. While I was reading Part 1, I thought about this, even through my impatience and intimidation sometimes got the better of me. Once I allowed myself not to try to understand right away what was going on, I enjoyed the reading more. This is a book that needs careful studying and searching and yes, reflection. The psychology in Part 2 was very intriguing which kept me moving more forward. I had this desire to go back to Part 1 to re-read parts of it.

Jamie.....I would recommend reading Crime and Punishment, so far my favorite book ever, I love psychology and it was chocked full of complexity.

[[deleted user]]

Margaret My mom has read Crime and Punishment and she enjoyed it. Its on my to read list but I don't know if I'll get to it this time. Its that old saying so many books so little time. :)

[Flo]

This is the second time I read Notes From Underground and, at the same time, I was reading Sartre's Nausea. And then, I also remember The Stranger. Underground Man, Meursault, Roquentin. They all affected me in such a way I didn't thought possible. The beautiful writing, the insights, the thought-provoking experience I want to find in every book I read. It's all there.
Clearly, Dostoyevsky was and will always be a source of inspiration.
And I still have to read Crime and Punishment! I can't imagine what I've been missing.

[Shukar]

Florencia wrote: "This is the second time I read Notes From Underground and, at the same time, I was reading Sartre's Nausea. And then, I also remember The Stranger. Underground Man, Meursault, Roquentin. They all a..."

Florencia, if you have liked all these authors, then I think you must give a shot to Tolstoy as well. Recently, I have finished ' Anna Karenina' and immediately after that set on with ' War and Peace'. Most disturbing, satisfying, contemplative books I have ever come across. and like Dostoevsky,you can't resist picking Tolstoy's books time and again-- re-reading them. And try P&V's translation.

[Flo]

Shukhar wrote: "Florencia wrote: "This is the second time I read Notes From Underground and, at the same time, I was reading Sartre's Nausea. And then, I also remember The Stranger. Underground Man, Meursault, Roq..."

Thanks, Shukhar. I've read some short stories by Tolstoy, and, more recently, "The Death of Ivan Ilych", which I absolutely loved and highly recommend. I need to finish "War and Peace", someday; however, I don't know why I'm not that interested by "Anna Karenina". No logical explanation whatsoever. But, yes, I know I should read it.