Customer Reviews

Dostoevsky In 90 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]

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I've observed that there are roughly two groups of literary people: those who appreciate Dostoevsky's works and those who don't. The author of this book sits firmly in the latter group, which begs the question, "Why did he write this?" He is quick to point out the faults of Dostoevsky's major works, but then trips over his words and arguments in meager attempts to describe the positive attributes. Indeed, if I were to base my opinion of Fyodor Mikhailovich and his works solely on this book, I would be quick to label him a neurotic right-wing nut job who couldn't write his way out of a paperbag. In short, if you're looking for a book that will help you better understand Dostoevsky and his works, this isn't it.

A graceful, authoritative primer on the great Russian writer and thinker. This small book is a seamless integration of three things: Dostoevsky's work and its place in literature, his tortured psychology and a brief but sturdy look at 19th century Russia.

Spoiler alert: at the end of the book Strathern says "his work is not so much literature as raw spiritual experience." I loved reading that. It nailed something I haven't been able to express that simply myself. However, I bought it for my niece who is just finished Anna Karenina, and I'm not planning to give it to her. He's not Tolstoy, you won't float along in awe. He makes you work. He makes you deliver your own redemption. His novels are not full of pull quotes and famous single lines. But they can change your life. So if you're interested in Dostoevsky, it might be better to start with something short like "Diary of a Madman" and see if it pulls you in. Skip this book - he doesn't get it.