Thoughts on Crime and Punishment (the book) and further Dostoyevsky titles

[Cair-Paravel]

I am reading it to the kids right now. For now, we only read a chapter an evening at bedtime. I am blown away by it so far and we are only on chapter 5 so far. The depth and detail he goes to never ceases to amaze me. Who else has read it and your thoughts on the book (without spoilers).

[[deleted user]]

The kids are clearly getting some high-quality bedtime reading, Cair-Paravel. I have been meaning to read it for a long, long time and your post has reminded me that I should pull my finger out and do something about this.

I read quite a few of the famous Russian authors' works as a teenager. One of them really stuck with me, so I'd like to recommend it to you and anyone else who wants to read more Russian literature (providing you haven't already read it, of course):

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

It's a classic.

[Cair-Paravel]

Just continuing on with how I was brought up. Mom read the classics before when I was little, so why not? I gives me the opportunity to expand my literature horizons as well.

Give it a go! We are only reading a chapter a day, but it is moving along.

I have not yet read that one. The Idiot is fantastic as well.

Thank you!

[Nik]

Although after maybe 30 years, I remember it only vaguely, I wasn't blown away. But at least partially it was influenced by a bias I had against almost anything, except for Pushkin, that was on school's curriculum. It does offer an intense introspection of innermost deliberations of a soul and can be also viewed as an early venture into thriller/detective genre, although the last bit might be viewed by many as depreciating the masterpiece.
If talking about modern classic at the time I was especially impressed by The Master and Margarita and returned to rereading it a few times

[Ian]

Like Nik, a lot of time has passed since I read C&P, (in translation, of course) and I was not swept away. I felt that as the book progressed Fyodor was too engrossed in the introspection and that dragged. I do not mind introspection, but for me it did not develop adequately. I have nothing against length. About the same time I read Anna Karenina, which for me is the most interesting romance novel I have read. And like Nik, I loved "The Master and Margarita" Strongly recommend it.

[Cair-Paravel]

Nik: Bing forced to read it will do that. I have rather enjoyed Pushkin and want to find more of his work. I enjoy the the Russian novelists, specifically for a similar reason that I love Dumas Sr., Hugo and Melville. It is a view of the world from different eyes.

Ian: I read many styles and I enjoy his intensity. I did also read A.K. and it was a heartbreaking tragedy to me, although the Bronte Sister works are a favourite as well. I have grown away from Austin and prefer Heyer instead.

Thank you! I will look into that book.

I keep rereading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

[Cair-Paravel]

Austen, I mean.

[Nik]

True. I enjoyed reading what I chose more than what I was told I needed to. Crime and Punishment is surely a worthy read. And love your bedtime family reading tradition!

[Terese]

I have only read The Historian by Kostova once, and it was a long time ago, this makes me consider re-reading it because I do remember enjoying it.

Crime and Punishment I've read about three times I think, I am a habitual re-reader, haha. No wonder I never get anywhere with my to-read list.

[[deleted user]]

Cair-Paravel, you mentioned Dumas, who is the author of my favourite ever book - 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

For those that haven't read it, it's that rare combination of being a real doorstopper, a classic of the highest order and a genuine page-turner too. Pure brilliance.

[Scout]

I think I no longer have the stamina for reading War and Peace. I admire you and the kids, Cair-Paravel.

[Cair-Paravel]

Terese: Have read her other stuff? There are three out and I have read them all. The Shadow Lands is my second favourite.

Beau: I have read it! It is one my top favourites list. Sr. is definitely my choice over Jr., although Camille is good too.

Scout: War and Peace is next on the list. :) Thank you! Reading is life. You can travel the world a d never leave your living room.

[Terese]

I read "The Swan Thieves" and was bitterly disappointed, in my faded memory I think I felt something like "abusive overuse of adjectives", "creepy, unethical, narrator", and "over adoration of mysterious artsy sexy guy", but apparently I haven't reviewed it here on Goodreads, so I'm just going on memory. It might have been a case of loving The Historian so much that the next simply couldn't measure up to my expectations.

But I really like the description for The Shadow Land so I'm adding it to my to-read list!

[Cair-Paravel]

Terese:
The Swan Thieves is just a bad round two, as can happen. I have always waited for her books a d the same for Paolini.

The Shadow Lands is nearer and dearer to her heart, so it definitely is quite a bit better. The story is set in the ancestral home of her husband - Bulgaria. It has found it's way on to my "re-read " shelf.