Am not a bookworm, but I like reading. Recently I have heard about this author and wanted to give it a try. Can anyone suggest me where should I start?
Notes from underground (shorter) : not too long, but the first part has some philosophical/political consideration from his era (1860s) that some people have a hard time with.
Reasonable-Sleep-955 on
Reading Dostoyevsky is like a pilgrimage through your own mind.
Everyone has their own ideas of where someone should start.
Most would start with Crime and Punishment. I did too. But it was Man From Underground that really pulled me into Dostoyevsky’s world. This deranged man was spelling out every single one of my intrusive thoughts so lucidly. And he always takes it a step further than you’ve gone, which makes you go, “dafaq?!?!”. Needless to say, there was a lot of introspection after that one. It’s short too!
My favourite is of course, the Brothers Karamazov. It changed my brain chemistry. I’ve been living with a whole lot more love in my heart ever since.
Reasonable-Sleep-955 on
I’d also recommend reading this essay by David Foster Wallace called “Joseph Frank’s Dostoyevsky”.
It gives brilliant context. And you’ll be able to appreciate Dostoyevsky even more.
3 Comments
I would say:
Crime and Punishment : his most polished work.
Notes from underground (shorter) : not too long, but the first part has some philosophical/political consideration from his era (1860s) that some people have a hard time with.
Reading Dostoyevsky is like a pilgrimage through your own mind.
Everyone has their own ideas of where someone should start.
Most would start with Crime and Punishment. I did too. But it was Man From Underground that really pulled me into Dostoyevsky’s world. This deranged man was spelling out every single one of my intrusive thoughts so lucidly. And he always takes it a step further than you’ve gone, which makes you go, “dafaq?!?!”. Needless to say, there was a lot of introspection after that one. It’s short too!
My favourite is of course, the Brothers Karamazov. It changed my brain chemistry. I’ve been living with a whole lot more love in my heart ever since.
I’d also recommend reading this essay by David Foster Wallace called “Joseph Frank’s Dostoyevsky”.
It gives brilliant context. And you’ll be able to appreciate Dostoyevsky even more.