Laura K’s Reviews > A Swim in a Pond in the Rain > Status Update
Laura K
is on page 380 of 403
I know these analyses are short, but Saunders doesn’t address a major point in one of the quotes… Alyosha didn’t have it good down here, despite how kind and obedient was. He doesn’t address that maybe Alyosha’s actions aren’t meant to be championed or cautioned against. Maybe we are meant to pity him and look harder at those who treated him poorly and Tolstoy simply wanted us to NOT be THAT.
— Feb 17, 2026 08:00PM
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Laura’s Previous Updates
Laura K
is on page 342 of 403
I had a very different take on “Gooseberries.” This short analysis lacks even the depth of acknowledging that the source of happiness matters when pronouncing it “good or bad.” Saunders has gone so general that he’s missed what feels like the obvious tropes and points (pastoral v city, happiness derived from nature is pure, from money is bad, can a man change from his upbringing, etc.).
— Feb 16, 2026 03:01PM
Laura K
is on page 312 of 403
I can read a lot into stories, but even I think this analysis of “The Nose” might be reaching too far.
— Feb 14, 2026 03:15PM
