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stiansi's review against another edition
4.0
Most of the stuff you expect from Dostoevsky is here. As usual we have a build-up in Part 1, where we get acquainted with the story, the characters and so on, and we are slowly brought into it all. Naturally there is a really climactic last part to the book, and the final 50 or so pages are very intense!
There is one big difference between this novel and most of Dostoevsky's other novels, except for Notes From Underground, in that it uses a first-person narrative. This is interesting, and it's worth noting that the main character in The Adolescent - Arkady Dolgoruky - has, at least initially, certain traits similar to this 'underground man,' as pointed out by Richard Pevear in the introduction.
Another thing that struck me about the novel is that the familiar coating in philosophy, so common in Dostoevsky, is largely missing. At least, it is far from as prevalent as in his other works. For the most part this is a fairly straightforward tale about family drama and, well, other kinds of drama that occurs in Arkady's life, told my Arkady himself, as he, 'unable to restrain' himself, sits down to record 'this history of my first steps on life's career, though I could have done as well without it.'
Although not a monumental work like The Brothers Karamazov, this novel is hardly bad or, as some literary critics have said, a sort of blemish on Dostoevsky's record. It's a highly enjoyable and really quite riveting read throughout, and one that fans of Dostoevsky should not miss. There are a number of great scenes in this book, and wonderful portrayals of humans -- as is to be expected in Dostoevsky. The parts with Arkady and his grandfather are especially memorable.
"Don't murmur, young one: it's all the more beautiful that it's a mystery."
There is one big difference between this novel and most of Dostoevsky's other novels, except for Notes From Underground, in that it uses a first-person narrative. This is interesting, and it's worth noting that the main character in The Adolescent - Arkady Dolgoruky - has, at least initially, certain traits similar to this 'underground man,' as pointed out by Richard Pevear in the introduction.
Another thing that struck me about the novel is that the familiar coating in philosophy, so common in Dostoevsky, is largely missing. At least, it is far from as prevalent as in his other works. For the most part this is a fairly straightforward tale about family drama and, well, other kinds of drama that occurs in Arkady's life, told my Arkady himself, as he, 'unable to restrain' himself, sits down to record 'this history of my first steps on life's career, though I could have done as well without it.'
Although not a monumental work like The Brothers Karamazov, this novel is hardly bad or, as some literary critics have said, a sort of blemish on Dostoevsky's record. It's a highly enjoyable and really quite riveting read throughout, and one that fans of Dostoevsky should not miss. There are a number of great scenes in this book, and wonderful portrayals of humans -- as is to be expected in Dostoevsky. The parts with Arkady and his grandfather are especially memorable.
"Don't murmur, young one: it's all the more beautiful that it's a mystery."
elreyturco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tuskact4's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ophelia_impersonator's review against another edition
3.0
ce mai dezastru, inteleg de ce nu a avut nimeni curaj sa ii scrie un rezumat pe wikipedia...stiu ca Dostoievski nu a luat cartea asta in serios pentru ca s-a terminat prea bine, cu toate personajele impacate (ma bucur ca Vasin a iesit de la inchisoare, mi-a placut personajul lui- sau il confund cu Kraft care s-a sinucis pe la inceputul cartii?)
ce contine aceasta carte:
- un personaj principal puturos care lesina
- tatal lui cu bpd
- o domnisoara mandra care e indragostita de tatal puturosului (cine poate sa o invinovateasca pe katia ca ii plac dilfii oricum?) si de care e indragostit puturosul
- o scrisoare de santaj cusuta in buzunarul unei camasi
- un vis cu un cal batut
- un mos "ghid spiritual" care moare
- jocuri de noroc
- o fata saraca fortata sa se prostituteze
nu prea mai am idei, dar parca suna cunoscut...
(ah sa nu uit avem si un arici)
marele minus: cartea a cam dus lipsa de nihilisti macinati, si daca ii scoatem pe ei ce ne ramane in afara de "dostoievski didacticul" care vrea sa ne invete cum sa ne traim frumos viata si pe care nu il suporta nimeni?
primeste 3 stelute trebuie sa recunosc ca a fost distractiva
ce contine aceasta carte:
- un personaj principal puturos care lesina
- tatal lui cu bpd
- o domnisoara mandra care e indragostita de tatal puturosului (cine poate sa o invinovateasca pe katia ca ii plac dilfii oricum?) si de care e indragostit puturosul
- o scrisoare de santaj cusuta in buzunarul unei camasi
- un vis cu un cal batut
- un mos "ghid spiritual" care moare
- jocuri de noroc
- o fata saraca fortata sa se prostituteze
nu prea mai am idei, dar parca suna cunoscut...
(ah sa nu uit avem si un arici)
marele minus: cartea a cam dus lipsa de nihilisti macinati, si daca ii scoatem pe ei ce ne ramane in afara de "dostoievski didacticul" care vrea sa ne invete cum sa ne traim frumos viata si pe care nu il suporta nimeni?
primeste 3 stelute trebuie sa recunosc ca a fost distractiva
sarapjetrushaj's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
djjxen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blueyorkie's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth of Dostoyevsky's five river novels (published between The Demons and The Karamazov Brothers), The Adolescent is the least known and probably the most minor read.
The teenager, Arkadi Makarovich Dolgorouki, is the bastard of a lord and the wife of one of his serfs, with whom he lives, although the husband is still alive. The book is a first-person account of several important events to the character and those around him.
Arkadi knew his parents little in his early years; he came to live with them in Saint Petersburg, his baccalaureate in his pocket. The title is well-chosen because the hero is a "typical" teenager. In revolt and opposition, wanting to settle accounts, proud, susceptible, but at the same time not at all sure of himself, and therefore speaking loud and clear, at the most ill-chosen moments, pretentious and naive, he is, at times, quite unbearable.
The plot is almost even more complicated than the author's other novels, and you have to hang on a bit to avoid getting lost in it and find yourself in all the characters. However, as in other works of the author, we see the metaphysical questioning, the notions of freedom, and evil. In addition, the work includes many biographical aspects, for example, game scenes (roulette).
Undoubtedly less striking than other books of the author, at least for me, it is nevertheless a gripping and dense reading. Perhaps the young man's choice to write the novel as a diary was not the best angle possible, as it is sometimes repetitive. The young man is not of exceptional clarity and penetration, and certain complex aspects of Dostoyevsky's thought have more difficulty expressing themselves through his pen.
The teenager, Arkadi Makarovich Dolgorouki, is the bastard of a lord and the wife of one of his serfs, with whom he lives, although the husband is still alive. The book is a first-person account of several important events to the character and those around him.
Arkadi knew his parents little in his early years; he came to live with them in Saint Petersburg, his baccalaureate in his pocket. The title is well-chosen because the hero is a "typical" teenager. In revolt and opposition, wanting to settle accounts, proud, susceptible, but at the same time not at all sure of himself, and therefore speaking loud and clear, at the most ill-chosen moments, pretentious and naive, he is, at times, quite unbearable.
The plot is almost even more complicated than the author's other novels, and you have to hang on a bit to avoid getting lost in it and find yourself in all the characters. However, as in other works of the author, we see the metaphysical questioning, the notions of freedom, and evil. In addition, the work includes many biographical aspects, for example, game scenes (roulette).
Undoubtedly less striking than other books of the author, at least for me, it is nevertheless a gripping and dense reading. Perhaps the young man's choice to write the novel as a diary was not the best angle possible, as it is sometimes repetitive. The young man is not of exceptional clarity and penetration, and certain complex aspects of Dostoyevsky's thought have more difficulty expressing themselves through his pen.
prusche's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0