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aoyenhi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“But now, for one brief moment, let’s pretend what might’ve been.”
Dostoevsky’s best, easily. Part 4 and the epilogue had me in tears.
There are so many wonderful moments that I don’t think I’ll ever experience anywhere else. Some of my favorites:
- - Zosima, bowing suddenly before Dmitri,
- - Ivan’s speech to Alyosha, and obviously the Grand Inquisitor,
- - Alyosha kissing Ivan right after,
- - “But to us, sir, you are like a small child…”
- - The dehumanizing interrogation sequence—“I’m the wolf, and you’re the hunters, let the chase commence.”
- - A lovely scene with a puppy (it was so magical that I don’t want to share more),
- - Ivan’s nightmares,
- - Dr. Herzenstrube’s testimony,
- - Dmitri in the epilogue.
It is unfortunate that this book is weighed down by so much anti-semitism, christofascist sympathies, Russian nationalism, all with a little bit of thinly veiled misogyny... if it wasn’t for these themes (which comes up during part 4 more than any other part IMO), I would have it in me to agree that this is one of the best novels ever written.
I’d also say your enjoyment of this novel hinges on whether or not you consider Dmitri to be a sympathetic character. If you’re 200 pages in and you hate him, consider shelving it… I definitely sympathized with and even liked him, but he can be a lot. I can easily see why people might hate him, but I don’t know how enjoyable the book would be if you can’t stand the guy.
Graphic: Antisemitism and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
Minor: Rape
The way Dostoevsky speaks about Poland and Polish people is horrible, and yet pales in comparison to how he writes about Jewish people. Disgusting. And there is liberal use of the g-slur for Romani people. Dostoevsky is sympathetic to all of his characters and their plights…except for atheists, socialists, and the aforementioned populations described here.quotablehedgehog's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Antisemitism, Medical content, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Classism, and Deportation
caitlynhm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
emilyplun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
ninjasunknown's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Alcoholism and Religious bigotry