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tejadurai's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's beautiful in a sad way. You would feel connected to this if you ever lonely in your life.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Death of parent
aksmith92's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Setup: White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky - and O.N. Shartse as the translator - is a poignant and reflective novella that delves deep into the emotional themes of loneliness, unrequited love, and the longing for human connection. Set in St. Petersburg, the story unfolds over four nights and a morning, following the narrator, an unnamed dreamer who lives a solitary life detached from the bustling city around him.
The dreamer's life turns when he encounters a young woman named Nastenka, who also grapples with her loneliness and heartache. As they share their stories, a deep emotional connection develops between them. The dreamer falls quickly in love with Nastenka, but his feelings are not reciprocated, as she dives into the story about another man who has promised to return to her.
The novella delves into the dreamer's inner world, capturing his intense emotions and the fleeting nature of happiness. Dostoevsky masterfully portrays the pain of unfulfilled desires and the bittersweet reality of dreams that never come to fruition. This classical book resonates with the typical human condition and experience of love and connection, making it an engaging read for many.
What I Liked: This unnamed dreamer and Nastenka were certified YAPPERS and I was HERE for it. They delved on and on and on about the intricacies of loneliness and heartache. The dialogue felt real. This wasn't a classic with incredibly poetic prose 100% of the time (although it sure did include it), but the conversation between the two characters felt raw, helping you better understand their emotions and feelings. I was interested in their stories and what they were willing to share in this incredibly short novella. Overall, the lovely quotes and the yearning from the unnamed dreamer were profound and will stick with me. While this has some misogyny peppered throughout, likely because of the time, I did enjoy Nastenka's character and her complicated feelings with the man she was waiting for and the unnamed dreamer.
What Could've Been Better: This was a bit of a challenging read for me—there were lengthy sentences, and the language was so different from my usual reading. It felt a bit too short to develop that deep connection to the characters and the plot. That wasn't the point, but something was still missing for me. It's funny to fall in love in four days, too, but that's irrelevant, so I digress...
Overall, this book hit the spot and will stick with me for some time. Dostoevsky has a unique and heartfelt way of capturing the human experience.
The dreamer's life turns when he encounters a young woman named Nastenka, who also grapples with her loneliness and heartache. As they share their stories, a deep emotional connection develops between them. The dreamer falls quickly in love with Nastenka, but his feelings are not reciprocated, as she dives into the story about another man who has promised to return to her.
The novella delves into the dreamer's inner world, capturing his intense emotions and the fleeting nature of happiness. Dostoevsky masterfully portrays the pain of unfulfilled desires and the bittersweet reality of dreams that never come to fruition. This classical book resonates with the typical human condition and experience of love and connection, making it an engaging read for many.
What I Liked: This unnamed dreamer and Nastenka were certified YAPPERS and I was HERE for it. They delved on and on and on about the intricacies of loneliness and heartache. The dialogue felt real. This wasn't a classic with incredibly poetic prose 100% of the time (although it sure did include it), but the conversation between the two characters felt raw, helping you better understand their emotions and feelings. I was interested in their stories and what they were willing to share in this incredibly short novella. Overall, the lovely quotes and the yearning from the unnamed dreamer were profound and will stick with me. While this has some misogyny peppered throughout, likely because of the time, I did enjoy Nastenka's character and her complicated feelings with the man she was waiting for and the unnamed dreamer.
What Could've Been Better: This was a bit of a challenging read for me—there were lengthy sentences, and the language was so different from my usual reading. It felt a bit too short to develop that deep connection to the characters and the plot. That wasn't the point, but something was still missing for me. It's funny to fall in love in four days, too, but that's irrelevant, so I digress...
Overall, this book hit the spot and will stick with me for some time. Dostoevsky has a unique and heartfelt way of capturing the human experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
charming_killerqueen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Confinement and Toxic relationship
ginambye's review against another edition
3.5
This books is well written, but it’s also pretty uncomfortable at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
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
chainsawheartbooks's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
“What shall I have to dream of when I have been so happy in reality beside you!”
As with all classics this took me a little while to get into, mainly because of the phrasing and writing, but my god this is a classic!
Hopeful and heartbreaking are the only two words that spring to mind.
This book, although only 70-ish pages, was a rollercoaster of emotions; I was so happy, full of warmth and hope, only to then became so distraught with a gut-wrenching pity in a matter of seconds, by just a few simple words.
It’s easy to see how many tragedies this has probably inspired, and I’m so glad, albeit utterly shattered, that I was recommended it.
As with all classics this took me a little while to get into, mainly because of the phrasing and writing, but my god this is a classic!
Hopeful and heartbreaking are the only two words that spring to mind.
This book, although only 70-ish pages, was a rollercoaster of emotions; I was so happy, full of warmth and hope, only to then became so distraught with a gut-wrenching pity in a matter of seconds, by just a few simple words.
It’s easy to see how many tragedies this has probably inspired, and I’m so glad, albeit utterly shattered, that I was recommended it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Stalking, and Abandonment
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
I found this book on bookstagram as well as seeing one of the booktubers I watch recommend it and the way they sold it sounded right up my alley so I decided to give it a go especially considering how short it was. However, I was sadly disappointed. I may have done myself a disservice in terms of the speed at which I read this book. It's said to be about 80 pages and I finished in about an hour and a half. I think this is the type of book you have to take your time with and digest. However, if I'm being quite frank I still don't think I would've connected with the story even if I "took my time" with it. I just didn't find it all that compelling. I can acknowledge that the story within itself is truly sad, however, because I wasn't connected to the characters or the way the story was written I just didn't feel that emotional effect that the story was going for. Speaking of the writing, I don't know if it's because I'm not accustomed to reading classics as well as considering this was also a piece of translated fiction, but it wasn't doing it for me. It was understandable enough, and it did contain some nice lines, but other than that it wasn't really for me. I saw someone else comment that said " Clinically depressed man gets friendzoned." And that's literally the basis of what happens so do with that as you may. Not something that I would personally have an emotional attachment to. Also, this book is expecting me to suspend my disbelief too much. By day 2, this guy is in love with her and I'm expected to take this story seriously. Of course, this may be a product of its time, but still. Another reason I couldn't connect to this book. I wasn't feeling this "loneliness". You can infer that the narrator falling for Nastenka could indirectly illustrate how quickly he is to fall for someone because he's so lonely, but I'm not willing to take that leap. Also, maybe I read it wrong, but I found it quite disturbing that Nastenka is described as a literal child and the narrator is 26. That gave me the ick. And therefore, further disconnected me from the story.😖 No hate to anyone that I liked this one; it just wasn't for me and that's okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Moderate: Stalking
thesvnthsense's review
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
lizetteratura's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
1.5
1.5 ⭐
DISCLAIMER!! THIS IS JUST MY OPINION!!
I am struggling to find the words to describe how much I....disliked this story and did not, at any point, feel anything for these characters.
The story follows the main character, the narrator, who is a young man from Saint Petersburg who has suffered from extreme loneliness his whole life. One day, on a stroll through the streets of the city, he encounters and falls in love with a young woman, but the love is unrequited since she misses the man she loves, with whom she is ultimately reunited.
Our narrator is a lonely guy with few acquaintances, except for his housekeeper, Matrona. He is sensitive and philosophical (read pathetic and manipulative), looking for feminine admiration, but struggles with feeling isolated. (In other words, he's weird and has never felt a woman's touch.) He's an idealist who believes Nastenka, the young woman he meets and falls in love with in a day?, is the perfect woman he's been searching for his entire life. Nastenka is, similarly to our narrator, an emotional, whimsical, and idealistic young lady. Throughout the story, she is constantly torn between feelings, unable to let go of her lover, whose return she is waiting for. However, she worries that he will never return to her. From there on, the narrator gaslights Nastenka into "being in love with him," and she thinks she loves him, but she doesn't because she's already in love with another. Therefore, under the guise of her confounded feelings, she professes love to the narrator, which in a way leads him on, then forgets about him the instant she reunites with her sweetheart and marries him. A mess. Anyways....
Our narrator is a lonely guy with few acquaintances, except for his housekeeper, Matrona. He is sensitive and philosophical (read pathetic and manipulative), looking for feminine admiration, but struggles with feeling isolated. (In other words, he's weird and has never felt a woman's touch.) He's an idealist who believes Nastenka, the young woman he meets and falls in love with in a day?, is the perfect woman he's been searching for his entire life. Nastenka is, similarly to our narrator, an emotional, whimsical, and idealistic young lady. Throughout the story, she is constantly torn between feelings, unable to let go of her lover, whose return she is waiting for. However, she worries that he will never return to her. From there on, the narrator gaslights Nastenka into "being in love with him," and she thinks she loves him, but she doesn't because she's already in love with another. Therefore, under the guise of her confounded feelings, she professes love to the narrator, which in a way leads him on, then forgets about him the instant she reunites with her sweetheart and marries him. A mess. Anyways....
I disliked the portrayal of both characters; I found them so whiney and obnoxious that I couldn't wait for the story to end. Not in any moment did I feel or gather any sympathy or other similar emotions for them or the predicament from which they are suffering. You can blame that on either me being a hater to the core or on Dostoyevsky's writing, which I also didn't enjoy much. Also, before I get jumped, I know that one of the points of the story is the rejection of idealism and "living in one's head", but I just don't like the way it's done!
The 0.5 star is thanks to the only thing that I enjoyed, which was the truly sorrowful words that portrayed loneliness beautifully. The language is beautiful, and there are some particular quotes that sound better without knowing the context of the whole story, but that is about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Stalking
Moderate: Confinement and Abandonment
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