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loyaultemelie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Poor Folk reads like a prototype. In some ways it reminded me a great deal of the Double, and I even found this story more enjoyable than the other one (sorry, the Double is just, not that great). The character of Makar Alexeevich is very similar to that of Mr. Golyadkin in the way he interacts with the people around him. Especially at his lowest. There are also parts of the story that evoke the sense of Dostoevsky's later work.
Even in the beginning of his career as a writer, Dostoevsky knew how to write very subtle characters. Trying to make villains or heroes out of either Makar Alexeevich or Varvara Aleexevna is pointless. They both are selfish in their own ways, and though they love each other they really do not seem to understand one another. By the end, I wasn't sure who I felt worse for.I do think the way their dynamic changes as Varvara is permanently lifted out of poverty, but Makar stays in a more tenuous place, is quite interesting. There's a distinct shift in their dynamic, in a way that's difficult to describe.
Describing most of my thoughts about this story is difficult to describe, I have the sense that some of it has alluded me. It's not perfect - Dostoevsky tries to pull in too many disparate threads without any real setup. If it were longer, it would have perhaps worked better. As it is, the plot is a little contrived in places. Especially when it comes to Varvara. But Dostoevsky was always better at characters than plots, in my opinion. In the end I liked it immensely. Ah Dostoevsky, I cannot quit you.
Even in the beginning of his career as a writer, Dostoevsky knew how to write very subtle characters. Trying to make villains or heroes out of either Makar Alexeevich or Varvara Aleexevna is pointless. They both are selfish in their own ways, and though they love each other they really do not seem to understand one another. By the end, I wasn't sure who I felt worse for.
Describing most of my thoughts about this story is difficult to describe, I have the sense that some of it has alluded me. It's not perfect - Dostoevsky tries to pull in too many disparate threads without any real setup. If it were longer, it would have perhaps worked better. As it is, the plot is a little contrived in places. Especially when it comes to Varvara. But Dostoevsky was always better at characters than plots, in my opinion. In the end I liked it immensely. Ah Dostoevsky, I cannot quit you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
marionhoney's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Sometimes the writing style really sang but my god was the overall narrative deeeeeeepressing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Child death and Sexual harassment
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