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Customer Reviews (4)

FYODOR UNWRAPPED
This is a book (actually the first volume of a 2-volume set) for
Dostoevsky aficianados. There is some very interesting and varied material in this large volume -- essays, imaginings, journalism, polemic, short stories, propoganda, rants, etc.. A kind of 'Fyodor Unwrapped.' It helps to have read other books by this great Russian Master, particularly his 'Big 5': Crime & Punishment,The Idiot, The Devils, A Raw Youth, Brothers Karamavoz. The translation by Kenneth Lantz is excellently done; the extensive Introduction by Gary Saul Morsom, is helpful, but
definitely 'over kill.'
The book, in fact, is a microcosm of Dostoevsky himself: plenty of flaws and foolishness, but always worth plowing through. He is, after all, probably the world's greatest novelist, and I recommend this book highly to those who agree with that assessment.

Dostoevsky's Brilliance in "Raw" Form
All the elements of Dostoevsky's genius come through in this hodgepodge ofliterary forms. Kenneth Lantz is an extremely good translator. I don't knowwhy he didn't translate Dostoevsky's other works.

deeply flawed yet deeply fascinating
This book and its companion volume present the contents of a journal written, edited, and published by Dostoevsky over a period of eight years.It is a fascinating collection.There are stories; there are literarydiscussions; there are commentaries on current events, especially courtcases and international developments.There are jaw-drop-inducing vamps onthe harmful effects of the Jews on decent Christian people.As time passesand Dostoevsky grows older and sicker, most other topics are abandoned infavor of eschatological Slavophile ruminations on the "EasternQuestion" and the coming triumph of Russian Orthodoxy. All of thiswill be much more than the casual reader will want to wade through.Yetfor the serious student or fan of Dostoevsky's novels, the diaries providea unique and amazing window into the author's thinking.For the student of19th century history, they are an unforgettable presentation of one side ofthe passionate arguments over the future of the Balkan countries.For thestudent of Russian history, they provide eyewitness commentary on thestruggles that accompanied the introduction of Western-style legal reforms,such as trial by jury. They are unique and amazing volumes, enhanced by asuperb editor's introduction and useful endnotes.

Another Dostoyevsky classic-not recommended for beginners
I bought this just because it was Dostoyevsky; I had no clue what it would be like.I thought that perhaps it was actually Dostoyevksy's personal diary.In fact, it is a journal Dostoyevsky wrote entirely himself and put out on a monthly basis.He muses on variety of subjects such as social-political issues of Russia at the time and criminal cases that have attracted his interest.In addition, he includes a few skeletons of short stories he is working on.Highly recommended for Dostoyevsky fanatics; newcomers would be better off reading Crime and Punishment. ... Read more

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A few words about Dostoevsky himself may help the English
reader to understand his work.Dostoevsky was the son of a doctor. His parents were very hard-working and deeply religious people, but so poor that they lived with their five children in only two rooms. The father and mother spent their evenings in reading aloud to their children,generally from books of a serious character. ... Read more

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This Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition™ includes a glossary and reader’s notes to help the modern reader understand the turbulent and dynamic world of Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg.When Raskolnikov, a young student, is driven to murder by desperate poverty and a belief in his own superiority, he is plunged into a dark hell of guilt and delirium. Set in the gloomy slums of St. Petersburg in the 1860s, this stark and gripping psychological tale describes a man’s search for redemption in the face of suffering and a society’s search for meaning in the chaos of a changing world.Shortly after returning from a decade-long exile in Siberia, Dostoevsky fled creditors only to end up living in destitution in Austria. Staying in a hotel he couldn’t afford, with barely enough money for tea, he composed this masterfully modern examination of a murderer's mind. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Autonomous principle entirely equal...

Winter Notes ... was used by Dostoevsky as a stamping ground of
literary investigations to produce dramatized fiction on the margin
of acceptability.Some of us expect the characters of all of his
novels to be exceptional from Western European behaviour.And so:
vive la difference!

Contemporary discussion of the nature of whether he was just an
excellent nineteenth century novelist or a prophetic visionary!
Or, both?

Dag Stomberg
St. Andrews, Scotland

Gripping portrait.
Vivid impressions of the author during his travel all over Europe in the second half of the 19th century. His main targets are France (Paris) and England (London).
He gives us a biting and cynical portrait of the French: parvenus and bourgeois who make a mockery of 'liberté, égalité, fraternité'.
In England, he is confronted with child prostitution in London's Haymarket: a most terrible and moving scene of a child of only six, black and blue beaten, barefoot, who tries to lure him to have sex with her. On the contrary, the Anglican clerics preach a religion for the wealthy and don't even hide it. A most pregnant portrait of the fat and the meagre.
A book to recommend.

Capitalism critcism
In this book Dostoevsky seems to take his time to criticize capitalism ( or so I find), takes asan example French society,
criticizes the accumulation of money and the adulation of god money (Baal), the servilism that comes with it, analyzes the way marital relations are, that is in relation with capitalism (Bribri and Ma biche ).

I found it pretty good, although it requires you to have knowledge of many things of the time it was written, (for instance can you remember who is Guizot?) and be used to the style of Dostoevsky. ... Read more

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In this novel we see a young man madly in love with a girl from a moderately poor family. This girl falls in love with a very aristocratic prince-- a man without principles, but charming in his childish egotism-- extremely attractive by his sincerity, and with a full capacity for quite unconsciously committing the worst crimes toward those with whom life brings him into contact. The psychology of both the girl and the young aristocrat is very good, but where Dostoyevsky appears at his best is in representing how the other young man, rejected by the girl, devotes the whole existence to being her humble servant and again his own will become instrumental in throwing her into the hands of the aristocrat. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Tops
My first Dostoyevsky work, and the best I've read so far.Do not miss it!I was lucky enough to get this book as a gift from a relative in Belarus.The translation captures Dostoyevsky exctremely well.In simplistic terms, this is a "love story," Dostoyevsky style.That discription does not do it justice, though.Do not be turned off, this is NOT Danielle Steele or some other WalMart romance brand.The emotion is subtle, but gripping.The characters are such that a reader will relate to this story intimately.You will not be able to tear yourself away from this tale of human weakness as it appears on so many levels and in such provoking form.A must have for a fan of great Russian literature.

Wounderfull
this story really did move me !saddness ,joy ,hatred and above all pity and love for the faithful Inav Petrovitch,the loving Natasha ,the spitful Prince and the Proud little Nellie! such books are written only once in a lifetime of a special Genius ,wounderfull .

Hard to find, but worth the trouble.
Fans of Fyodor Mikailovich, don't miss this one!A jewel of a story which gripped me from the first page, with the death of the old man's dog, to the last, with (read it and see).

Little Nellie, a relatively minor character, could fill a whole book by herself.Other characters are familiar, but even better (if possible) versions of those from his more widely-read works.The Aloysha/Myshkin character, vivid and true-to-life, shows the destructive side of innocence in a way that his dopplegangers have not.Every person in this story is so real I felt I already knew them all.

The story involves irresistable passion, unbearable sorrow, gentle love unswayed by ruinous insult, and the impossibility and inevitability of forgiveness.Multiple conflicting emotions battle it out in every breast.I have read this book at least five times.I can't recommend it enough. ... Read more

Product Description
13th Printing, April 1971. ... Read more

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Product Description
Crime and Punishment Dostoevsky is a unique and special large print version of the Russian classic. WARNING! You cannot find this large print book in any bookstores. It's literally impossible to purchase. Please note that this is a perfect translation of the classic by Constance Garnett. It retains all of the original content but it's been designed for easy reading and complete comfort.Here's exactly why you need to purchase this special version... * You can read Crime and Punishment faster because it's easier to read.* You can finally enjoy Crime and Punishment because the font is so large. "The easiest version of Crime and Punishment to read!""Plenty of room in the margin for my notes. Thanks!""Wonderful. Perfect for my eyes. So comfortable.""I just love this LARGE PRINT book format.""What a pleasure. I could finally read this classic book!"(Editor's Note: This special large print might only be available as a limited edition.) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Easy to Read Big Print
"Crime and Punishment Dostoevsky" is the classic book "Crime and Punishment" but with a small twist. The content is exactly the same as the classic by Dostoevsky. However, this is a giant book with very large font. It's not meant to be carried around. It's quite large. However, the type is huge (16pt or 18pt) and the typeface is clean and simple. If you want or need a large print edition of Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" then I absolutely recommend this book. But, if you're looking for a small, pocket version then stay away. ... Read more

Product Description
An Approach to Fyodor Dostoevsky's Novels-Two-Crime and Punishment


Students' Academy



About Fyodor Dostoevsky 7
Family Background 8
Childhood and Early Life 9
Early Literary Career 12
Exile in Siberia 14
As a Mature Writer 16
Later Literary Career 19
Works 23
Dostoyevsky’s Views on Jews in Russia 28
Existentialism 32
About Crime and Punishment 34
Overall Reception 39
Structural Significance 40
Summary in Brief 43
Characters 53
About Major Characters 59
Symbolism 63
Themes 67
Motifs 71
Summary and Analysis 72
Part I to Part VI160
Epologue 170
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PrintISBN: 978-0-557-67427-5 ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

...and terrific introduction
white nights, notes from the underground, the meek one, and dream of a ridiculous man - four parts that could make a book of study on shame.the introduction is the reason to get this edition - it's truly excellent, by Deborah Martinsen, researcher of shame and narrative at Columbia Uni, NY.Her other studies here, also excellent for overly passionate readers of D.:[..]

a shame it's not being reprinted. pun intended.

under the ground
is where this book needs to be. just kidding. get past the first stream of consciousness part and theres a real story here.this book is mainly philosophy so go into it with that idea

great collection
This collection contains The Double, White Nights, Notes from Underground, The Meek One, and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. The stories have been reviewed elsewhere so I will only comment on the B&N edition.

I found the Introduction to be very helpful. The writing is sometimes hard so the Introduction was a help in understanding at times. The Introduction is not too long and it is divided into subsections for each of the 5 stories. A downside is that footnotes are in the back (very annoying to have to leaf to the back everytime). In the back of the book, there are two sections that I think are very good to have but unfortunately did not have enough substance; One section describes other authors that were inspired by the stories of this collection - only three though and not much detail is given; the other section shows comments about the stories from different people in different time periods. Once again, a good idea to have a section like this but not detailed whatsoever.

Overall, a great collection with some decent fluff. And a very reasonable price.

Like Lit Crit?
Barnes & Noble Classics just keeps the mediocrity coming with this edition of Dostoyevsky's stories. The stories are detailed studies of human psychology, as is much of D's work, and if you enjoy that sort of literature (as I do), then you'll enjoy the stories.

However, the introduction and followup discussion material that B&N attaches to their publications is too deep in Literary Criticism to be interesting to anyone not actually interested in that sort of thing. Summary after summary repeats itself as the author delves deep into the main characters in order to find that they are all, apparently, alike and extrapolates all sorts of things about the author. It left me utterly dry.

This isn't the first time I've been underwhelmed by B&N Classics. They did a poor job with Chekov's Ward 6 as well. This edition isn't as bad (or as flagrantly uninterested in the work) as the Chekov edition, but the dry lit crit treatment sucks the energy out of the stories.

There has got to be a better edition of these works out there. I would suggest looking for those instead of this cheap version. The cost may be low, but a better introduction and more interesting follow-on material would have been gladly accepted, even at a few pennies more. 5 stars for a great author, but -2 for a mediocre edition.

Good Quality Edition
As everyone's said, these are good short stories by Dostoevsky to have read. They're all available for free online, of course, but I prefer to have a book such as this on hand instead, even if it means paying the five dollars.

For one, there is the motivational factor involved. I bought this book largely for the Notes From Underground, but the fact that there are other stories on there, and the fact that I payed for them, led me to read them as well. In this way, I discovered how great a story White Nights is, and I doubt I would have read it without buying this book.

Then there is also the introduction and footnotes that expand on the numerous aspects of the stories that by now are not readily apparent to the reader, especially if he's not Russian. Who, after all, knows what a "white night" is in the first place? I didn't think the introduction too great a piece of writing, and disagreed with in on some issues, but it is still a nice piece of critical writing on the stories to have. Certainly, it is better than what you'd find on Wikipedia.

Lastly, this book's paper has a pulpy feel, but the ink doesn't rub off on your fingers, and so it's quite nice to just sit down with it and read it. I, for one, always found reading books more enjoyable in a living room chair than in front of a computer screen. ... Read more

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Dostoevsky's writings are criticized individually and in relation to one another against the background of his life andthought. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Mochulvsky Rules
I was Russian Studies major for awhile, when I got out of the army in 1991, and I really enjoy the synthesizers of poets and writers that come from an undistracted era such as ours is so full of.I picked this up, because I read a review from someone who'd picked it up because a professor suggested it.Good call.I was also looking for something from a Russian on a Russian.If your going to study Russian Literature, or history, and Dostoevsky, this is an essential read for becoming an immediate autodidact and ethnograph ...also read, russophile, when venturing into the topics.Spiritually, Mochulsky's accomplishment gives us a labor of love, in a time when the Soviet Union and the Cold War were still being played out.

Life's Too Short, but No Matter
Face it, I will probably never get around to reading Joseph Frank's (allegedly) magisterial biography of Dostoevsky.List longa, vita brevis.And besides, I have at hand Konstantin Mochulsky's splendid "Dostoevsky: His Life and Work."Strictly speaking, I can't compare it to Frank which, as I say, I haven't read (although I've peeked).The point is just that Mochulsky is so comprehensive and so insightful that I feel no special need to push further.

Frank runs to five volumes.At 678 pages, Mochulsky is not exactly svelt.Still he succeeds in capturing at least two books in one.It is first a pretty good, straightforward, narrative ofD's life, which is certainly a tale to tell on its own.Indeed it is hard to think of any artist except perphaps Caravaggio whose life can bear telling on its own.

But perhaps more imimportant, it is a marvellously shrewd appreciation of all the major (and some of the minor) works.I picked up a copy some years ago in a second-hand shop, when I hadn't read much of D.Since then, every time I've knocked off another monument, I've gone to D to tell me what I've read. He's been unfailingly helpful, always adding something to the mix (perhaps particularly with The Idiot which, I might as well admit, at first reading I simply did not get). I'm sure Frank has even more to offer but as I say, you have to set priorities.I have Mochulsky.And besides, there is a bit more of D to read...

excellent overview of Dostoevsky's life and works
A professor of Russian literature recommended this biography to me, citing it as one of the most complete Dostoevsky biographies available.I was not disappointed.Mochulsky covers Dostoevsky's life and creative output, and gives rather detailed analysis of the major works (The Brothers K, The Idiot, and The Possessed among them) for such a relatively short book.The English translation is very readable.However, I am not sure that Mochulsky is particularly accessible to readers who do not know anything about Russia.The fact that he is Russian and writing about a great Russian author seems to me to be a major component of this book.

I'm Richard Mochulske from Argentine
I'm from Argentine, and I have the same last name like Konstantin. I would like to know him or his family or how can I get Him or someone of his family ... Read more

Product Description

This collection was designed for optimal navigation on Kindle and other electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically, chronologically and by category, making it easier to access individual books, stories and poems. This collection offers lower price, the convenience of a one-time download, and it reduces the clutter in your digital library. All books included in this collection feature a hyperlinked table of contents and footnotes. The collection is complimented by an author biography. Author's biography and stories in the trial version.

Customer Reviews (12)

Reader Beware!
Warning! Warning! While this is an outstanding collection of Dostoevsky material, be aware that it is the Constance Garnett translation.While she was for decades THE translator for Russian works, she completely botched the Dostoevsky material.The humor and subtlenuance that is characteristic of his writing is missing in Garnett's translations.While she may be fine for Tolstoy and other Russians,look for a modern translation of Dostoevsky.

Useful but not indispensable
I'm talking about this MobileReference version, not Dostoevsky's work because Dostoevsky IS indispensable.

It happens that this collection was my first non-free purchase following my Kindle's arrival and I did it mostly out of curiosity, fully knowing that I could have probably downloaded the listed titles AND MORE such as 'Memoirs from the House of the Dead' for free since the old translations are probably public domain texts. But... I decided to splurge this once and see what a commercial-quality Kindle download looked like.

On the plus, side, getting Dostoevsky's works in bulk did save me a lot of time as I didn't have to search for each title individually, download the file, probably convert it through Amazon's service, transfer it to the Kindle. This was a good thing. In addition, no only I can pick each title from the table of contents but, once I get there, I can jump to specific chapters, something that a downloaded text file would not have allowed.

The not so good part is that, besides the collection missing at least one major work (see above), having everything in one file it means that you can only return to ONE 'last read' place in the entire collection unless you go to the trouble of bookmarking before leaving any individual title so reading from more than one Dostoevsky work is not that convenient.

As far as content, I am quite happy with the quality of the translations - started 'The Idiot' and 'Brothers Karamazov'.

Knowing what I know now, would I still order the Mobi collection or would I go 'public domain'? Well... being as lazy as I am, I'd probably still order the Mobi but, in time, I will probably get the free versions for the major novels because I'd rather have the works individually.

Dostoevsky - great value!
I always keep a book by my side.I find myself rereading books I haven't read for 30 or 40 years.To have this collection on my iPad ensures that I'll always have something profoundly engaging to read with me.

Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment
So far, I've only read Crime and Punishment.Great book!!It's a bit of a slog to get thru it, but the last chapter makes the book - so keep going!It's worth it.

Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky
Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Brothers Karamazov, The Gambler, The Devils, Poor Folk, Notes from the Underground, The Adolescent & more (mobi)

I cannot emphasise enough just how wonderful this collection is. Dostoevsky introduces a set of characters which we all in a way know, and through their completely believable and realistic interactions, expresses powerful, mystical messages. From his descriptions, one can grasp the range of ideas and panoramic views of the nature of faith and the human condition. In illuminating the struggles born by every human being in their physical and spiritual lives, Dostoevsky offers no easy solution. He emphasis on the silent, invisible nature of courage and the folly of institutionalized belief make him the spiritual father of thinkers such as Nietze and Sartre. The ideas that Dostoevsky's illuminates and questions he raises are universal and relevant to this day. I highly recommend this ebook to anyone searching for either a good read or the meaning of life. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Another Dostoyevsky Masterpiece
Fyodor Dostoyevesky, perhaps the greatest novelist of all-time, has a canon of mostly very long books delving deeply into dark psychological corners. He shed long-dormant light on such subjects as the conscience, madness, the existence of God, family and criminal psychology, etc. Similarly, The Possessed explores the tendency of people, particularly young ones, toward nihilism. Dostoyevsky shows nihilism's inherent hollowness, that it always leads to the same place in the end. As Don Henley once sang, "It's another hollow rebellion/As rebellions often are/Just another raging tempest/In a jar." Many have observed how Dostoyevsky foresaw the philosophy of Nietzsche, yet for all their darkness and social criticism, many overlook the fact that both, in essence, affirm life. For proof, one need only to look at the fate of characters who deny life. To both Dostoyevsky and Nietzsche, it is not only wrong to live merely for a higher power or hope of eternal reward but also to live for an "ism":atheism, idealism, anarchism, nihilism, etc. This is Dostoyevsky's attempt to strike out at the materialism infesting Russia and to break out of negative modes of thinking. To paraphrase his famous letter, modern nihilists do not deny the existence of God; that is done. They deny with all their might God's creation.

Pity the poor revolutionary who tries to incite a rebellion while denying the very means he must use to do so. Neil Peart once wrote, "Changes aren't permanent/But change is." Anything that does not change becomes stagnant, but we must remember to affirm life. Thankfully we have Dostoyevsky to remind us.

This brilliant novel also explores other subjects:the responsibility of one generation for the next, the responsibility of teachers for students, and above all, the responsibility of philosophers for their ideas. It is a must for any reader of classics or Russian literature.

A Revolutionary Cautionary Tale?
Dostoevsky was a central figure in the great Russian literary revival of the 19th century, spurred on by the clearly foreseen, and necessary coming revolution that was on every radical intellectuals mind. The Russian novel, in a sense, reflected, in one way or another, the propaganda written for that event. This novel, moreover, forms the intellectual backdrop for a review that I have recently done on Jean Luc-Godard's "La Chinoise" from 1967. That film used the story line of the novel as the script for a modern day version of the struggle of a group of young middle class intellectuals driven to despair by the political/cultural/social and existential circumstances of their lives, yet were unable to fight effectively for their vision of the future, mainly due to their devotion to the "circle" spirit and distance from the class struggles of their times.

Thus from different centuries and responding to different sets of circumstances the film and novel come to the same basic conclusion about the futility of struggle against authority, or the fear that the "new order" will be just a rehash of the old led to both director and author to some very unrevolutionary conclusions. Nevertheless, I always liked this novel, despite, or maybe, because of Dostoevsky's past and its service as a cautionary tale of the futility, at best, of fighting against authority. Of course, Dostoevsky came within a ready hangman's noose for his own radical activity so that might color his approach, at least a little. Right? But Godard, who knows.

Great book bit bad electronic transcription
The content of this book is very satisfying, profound in its acute study of the violent contagion of pride, vivid fascinating characters, and a compelling narrative.

Unfortunately, the transfer of this book to electronic format is simply the worst I have read, suffering from electronic character recognitiom errirs that result in irritatingly meaningless words or gibberishinterspersed every 150 to 200 words through the script.Somebody just put the book on line without ever proofreading it.Very shabby and unprofessional.Read this book by all means but buy another electronic version.I doubt I will trust a Mobile version again.

thought-provoking and fascinating
The Possessed or The Devils by Fyodor Dostoevsky

This novel is one greatest works of literature. Dostoyevsky is the kind of writer who deeply explores the human psyche. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1917.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
An Approach to Fyodor Dostoevsky's Novels-Four-Notes from Underground


Students' Academy

About Fyodor Dostoevsky 7
Family Background 8
Childhood and Early Life 9
Early Literary Career 13
Exile in Siberia 15
As a Mature Writer 17
Later Literary Career 19
Works 23
Dostoyevsky’s Views on Jews in Russia 29
Existentialism 33
About “Notes from Underground” 34
Literary Influence 36
Summary in Brief 38
Characters 42
About Major Characters 45
Themes 51
Motifs 56
Symbols 60
Summary and Analysis 63
Part I
Part II138

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PrintISBN: 978-0-557-67674-3 ... Read more