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mikathereviewer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
That book was crazy. I was thinking of reading it for a while and forgot why I never done it and it took me by surprise when I read the very reason that made me uncomfortable reading the book; P3d0philia. At first I thought it was a cute love story, but then I found out how old Nastenka was and how old Matryona already was. But then I remembered that in the century Dostoevsky wrote this was a norm, so I could live with that. But still gave me a wtf moment.
Anyway, except that it triggered me a bit it was very interesting. Short, but interesting. The whole idea to meet at night as they also met the first time at night was so cool and then their stories, especial the 'pinning' part. I thought I read strange stories, but this one was more than just strange. But also relatable.
It was relatable, as the characters didn't have a normal sleep schedule, didn't act like robots and were authentic. Had a hard life and might never made any friends. And they both loved. As love happens so often.
Really liked the writing style once again! It's old, but still so good!!
Lastly, except the relationship with a minor and adult I also disliked the ending as Nastenka acted like a whore and I despised that on her. Also disliked how Matryona accepted her offer, which she wrote down in the letter. Both are so foolish. Probably done on purpose, but it still ruined the whole mood for me.
Anyway, except that it triggered me a bit it was very interesting. Short, but interesting. The whole idea to meet at night as they also met the first time at night was so cool and then their stories, especial the 'pinning' part. I thought I read strange stories, but this one was more than just strange. But also relatable.
It was relatable, as the characters didn't have a normal sleep schedule, didn't act like robots and were authentic. Had a hard life and might never made any friends. And they both loved. As love happens so often.
Really liked the writing style once again! It's old, but still so good!!
Lastly, except the relationship with a minor and adult I also disliked the ending as Nastenka acted like a whore and I despised that on her. Also disliked how Matryona accepted her offer, which she wrote down in the letter. Both are so foolish. Probably done on purpose, but it still ruined the whole mood for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
From what I've heard others say about this book and from what I know of Dostoyevsky's work, I was definetely expecting a bit more.
It's a short novella, yes, but I feel like he could've developed more deeply the feelings that the characters express. I was told "you think you understand unrequited love until you read white nights by dostoyevsky", so I sincerely thought I would feel more moved, more understood by it. It just feels slightly shallow. The protagonist is quite literally an incel lmfao, and the love interest doesn't have that much of a personality either (although she has more of a story than him).
Overall, was a bit disappointed, for I was expecting something more poetic, more profound, that would make me truly reflect upon my own experiences with unrequited love. It didn't really do it for me.
It's one of his early works, though, so I'm gonna give him a pass.
It's a short novella, yes, but I feel like he could've developed more deeply the feelings that the characters express. I was told "you think you understand unrequited love until you read white nights by dostoyevsky", so I sincerely thought I would feel more moved, more understood by it. It just feels slightly shallow. The protagonist is quite literally an incel lmfao, and the love interest doesn't have that much of a personality either (although she has more of a story than him).
Overall, was a bit disappointed, for I was expecting something more poetic, more profound, that would make me truly reflect upon my own experiences with unrequited love. It didn't really do it for me.
It's one of his early works, though, so I'm gonna give him a pass.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
thesvnthsense's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual harassment
irenemayblack's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
riverofhorton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
White Nights
I read this after someone posted about it on TikTok, saying he thought he understood love, then he read this.
This was not about love. This was about abuse masquerading as love, with its stalking, paedophilia, coercion, love bombing and gaslighting. Women are consistently infantilised, regardless of their age, treated as objects to be sold, who are nought but over-emotional wrecks.
The female lead did have a couple of funny quips, but they were few and far between.
Bobok
I don't even know where to start with this. More misogyny, and paedophilia here, I'm afraid. As well as an unusual premise. It could see a similar idea being used for something else and it turning out good, but this just didn't do it.
I read this after someone posted about it on TikTok, saying he thought he understood love, then he read this.
This was not about love. This was about abuse masquerading as love, with its stalking, paedophilia, coercion, love bombing and gaslighting. Women are consistently infantilised, regardless of their age, treated as objects to be sold, who are nought but over-emotional wrecks.
The female lead did have a couple of funny quips, but they were few and far between.
Bobok
I don't even know where to start with this. More misogyny, and paedophilia here, I'm afraid. As well as an unusual premise. It could see a similar idea being used for something else and it turning out good, but this just didn't do it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism
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