Book Review: Notes from Underground by, Fyodor Dostoevsky

In today's video I'll be reviewing Notes from Underground by, Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Notes from Underground Written Review: www.instagram....
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[@emilybertola8553]

This book had many lines that were on point, absolutely relatable as an introvert/constant 'thinker' - but the dark truth it reflects back is the fact that those thoughts, if left unchecked, left to fester, left to marinate in cynical spirals, will pull and bury you deeply, into the Underground. Without the characteristics and lessons of/from Christ we delve away from Connection and ascension, to the depth of our own self absorbed, isolated Hell. He takes you to experience these conceptual extremes within our own psyche with his use of words in all of his works, and this is why he is one of my favourites!

[@BookishTexan]

That book stand is genius! This is the only Dostoevsky I've ever been able to finish. There is definitely some narcissism involved in having a KZbin channel. I think it is the most dangerous aspect of making videos. Enjoyed your discussion.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you! I feel like a professional 🤣 Yea, I’m inclined to agree with you 😅

[@sandy23stories40]

This is an excellent review, I love Dostoevsky. I’ve read Crime and Punishment and the Count of Montecristo, I have this on my TBR

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you!! Oooooh those are both fun reads! Hope you enjoy them both!

[@elizabethaliteraryprincess]

"Shall the world go to hell, or shall I not have my tea?" What a mood! I'm an introvert too. The only time I've truly felt lonely is when I lived completely on my own without a pet. If I have a dog or a cat to hang out with, I can stay away from people for days at a time. 😆 I've only read Crime and Punishment, and it was so long ago that I can't remember much of it. I want to reread it sometime soon and get to The Brothers Karamazov.

[@alanaestelle2076]

It’s definitely a mood 🤣 I feel that 😂🙌🏼 Hope you get to read Karamazov soon! 😍

[@mtjc9109]

Just read Notes and was searching on YT for a breakdown. I’m so happy I found your channel and I instantly subscribed at the end of the video. I look forward to watching many more of your reviews and thank you so much for a great perspective on a complex book!

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you so much!!!

[@mattkean1128]

At my worst, I'm someone who shrinks away from all interaction because it feels like I'm being an imposition. But that gets very lonely! Uncomfortably relatable is a great way to describe this book. D. is intellectual wheras T. is soulful.

[@alanaestelle2076]

It’s definitely a strange dichotomy! I like how to described the differences between D and T!

[@thekylederek]

Dostoevsky is a rare talent when it comes to insights into the ironic elements of life - you chose good quotes! Also, Count of Monte Cristo is my fave piece in prose!

[@alanaestelle2076]

He really is!! Excited to dive more into his works. Monte Cristo is fantastic and so funny!

[@deesplayworldtv]

2:49 I made videos almost everyday from 2006 - 2015. It was just something I had to do and loved to do. It can be construed as self-seeking, but if the goal is met, then it was all for the positive. You’re fine. I Just ran across this video because I listen to Jordan Peterson talk a lot about Dostoevsky and F. D. Was referenced once in Happy New Year, Charlie Brown. I have Crime and Punishment and just never got around to reading it yet. Make your videos until you don’t feel the need to anymore. Once my daughter came, the need for me to keep giving my opinion on KZbin ceased. But she was the answer for me, and everyone’s answer is different. I had to protect her and her face has not been on the net once. You’ll know when it’s time to give it up, if that time ever comes. Side Note, that book shelf is so clean, one might think you MOP your books! Edit: 5:00 you just referenced Tolstoy. He was also referenced in Happy New Year, Charlie Brown because Charlie had to read War and Peace over the Christmas holidays!

[@haben9464]

Notes from Underground was my second Dostoevsky and I recall how disturbing it was to examine the world through the protagonist's eyes. His observations were chillingly accurate...it might be due for a re-read when I gather up the nerve for it lol. Brothers Karamazov is definitely my favourite, but I've been saving Crime and Punishment for last and still have Demons and The Adolescent to read. The Idiot isn't his greatest -- he was going through a lot of personal turmoil at the time of writing it, so it's understandable -- but it's still worth a read! Myshkin is a far more naive Alyosha, maybe even a prototype for the later novel. Richard Pevear's intro is well worth reading (when you've finished reading it). Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Dostoevsky is so good at making the reader related to his spicy characters. 🤣Just want until Crime and Punishment 😅 I remember learning that he wrote The Idiot when he was going through a rough time, so I’ll be interested to see how that comes across when I read it.

[@kackljas]

"Notes From Underground" is especially relevant in today's age of isolation away from the physical world and retreat into the digital world.

[@alanaestelle2076]

@@kackljas so true! Good point!!

[@jorgevasquez971]

"Dostoevsky... what a stud!" Lmao. I wanna watch more of your book reviews already lol

[@alanaestelle2076]

LOOOL! I just love me some Dostoevsky 🤣

[@creativelytorn]

Another great video. I like the rambling, it fits well for this book. 🤣 Notes was my first Dostoevsky book. Since then I've read Crime and Punishment, The Gambler and a handful of short stories. I think White Nights is my favorite so far.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Loool thank you! 😂 Oooh so Brothers Karamazov is still unread? 👀👀👀 🙌🏼

[@creativelytorn]

@@alanaestelle2076 It sure is lol. I want to build up to it, but I haven't gotten to any other Dostoevsky books yet this year. 🤦‍♂️

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

I too wonder occasionally about the potential narcissism of airing my literary opinions on KZbin. But then I think of all those people out there who need to hear what I have to say, and I commit myself anew. 😂 This is my favorite of Dostoyevsky's books that I've read; I think it's the most valuable for today's world. Really makes you feel things you might not have anticipated. 🤔

[@alanaestelle2076]

LOOOOOL 🔥 That’s what I love about Dostoevsky - his themes are truly timeless! 🙌🏼

[@ASEEKEROF_TRUTH]

I wish I could understand the subtleties in profound books like Notes from Underground, I even hear people describe reading such books as enlightening or life-altering experiences, but I read and I walked away from it having felt as though I gained nothing from it. I’ve read certain passages from which I could only draw interpretations from supplementary material, because it was simply too abstruse for me to understand. It’s as if my feeble mind cannot comprehend it. I feel stupid ._.

[@alanaestelle2076]

I feel like this so a dense novel and there were several passages I had to read over to let them sink in. And I find that with Russian novels especially, the translation is critical. What translation did you read? You’re not stupid! We all have those books that give us a run - mine is Game of Kings lol.

[@ASEEKEROF_TRUTH]

@@alanaestelle2076 I read the Constance Garnett translation

[@HaleTheTrev]

Sometimes a book doesn’t make you feel particularly good. It hit a bit too hard. Perhaps I need to use it to improve myself.

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

That’s a great contrast between the Big T and the Big D. My preference might slide the same way, but I need to read more Tolstoy. I loved the “ramble” - which I might refer to as a discussion of philosophy. 😂

[@alanaestelle2076]

I’m now going to start calling them Big D and Big T 🤣🤌🏼 LOL! I’m glad people appreciate my ramblings. 🤣this is what goes on in my head 24/7.

[@popeofdope7283]

Demons is a very good book too, just be sure to get an edition with the censored chapter "At Tichon's" at the place where it belongs.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Good to know - I will!! Thank you!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Yes i feel that all social media (people in general) are narcissists. I noticed it with myself on IG and "all you people need to see this, read this, etc" and i got tired of feeling that way so I've cut back.... way way back. Lol.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I'm reading my first D-Money book in September (C&P). I dnf'd Bros K a couple years ago but I do want to go back to it plus Demons.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Love your pretty slides.❤

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Yeah I CAN NOT deal with Eeyores. I have to distance myself from my mom sadly because there's only so much I can take.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Whew yes - social media had really just revealed how self centered we all are 😮‍💨 Ooooh have fun with C&P! Ooomph I still need to read Demons. Thank you! As yes!! It’s so infuriating being around mopey people all the time 😩

[@jamesduggan7200]

In Mimesis, humans - the rational animals - act out what they don't understand. So, as audience we deconstruct to unravel, unpack, and reverse engineer what was said and done. In other words, what people say and do is more a reflection of someone or something else than it is a true and accurate expression of their own thoughts and feelings. Thus, for characters in Dostoevsky the unusual - even bizarre - actions often reduce to "why did you (why did he/she) do that?" Much of Dostoevsky is an attempt to make some sense of a chaotic world that cannot possibly be as irrational as it seems.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Yes!! That’s why I love Dostoevsky!

[@JamesI88]

It's insane and sad to me how two people that could actually be very compatible, even great friends, will let a politic opinion get in the way of that. There are people in my life that refuse to give the time of day to someone with an opposing political view, and insist they couldnt get along with someone with "those views". Meanwhile we have numerous accounts coming out of every major war of people trying to kill each other talking about how in a different setting, they'd envision being good friends with each other.

[@alanaestelle2076]

It is sad! People are so much more nuanced than their stances on certain issues.

[@stephenn3727]

It wasn't my favorite of his. Thank you for a great review!

[@alanaestelle2076]

I hear that - not my favorite either but worth the read, for sure! And thank you!

[@kurtfox4944]

I love your rambling reviews! Dostoevsky is unapologetic and asks what others are afraid to ask. The following three authors are unapologetic, dark and gritty: I HIGHLY recommend that you read Cormac McCarthy's _Blood Meridian_. It is very definitively a historic fiction in a way that you've (likely) not read (and contrarian to public school History textbooks). It is gritty, unabashedly dark and violent, and will make you feel uncomfortable. It is intelligent, and contains the most beautiful prose about the most disturbing things. You could spend years analyzing this; read it slowly. It is sometimes labeled a Western, but totally turned on its head. It will diversify your reading, regardless. (I spent so much time hyping it up, I think I'll go re-read it again). I see on your blog website that you do scent reviews. Have you read _Perfume: The Story of a Murderer_ by Patrick Süskind? I have never read another book like this. Most books are visual, or sometimes auditory; this is (pardon the pun) scent-sual. Beautifully written, dark and disturbing, slightly historical, but you still root for the bad guy. I think you'll love it. And it has perfume! Lastly, a final recommendation is _The Collector_ by John Fowles. Imagine Silence of the Lambs but told by the villain. It is gritty, dark, and will make you feel uncomfortable, and again is well written. One of my top 3 for 2022.

[@alanaestelle2076]

I haven’t read any McCarthy yet 👀 I need to get back on my fragrance reviews. I miss writing them. I have heard of that book, but hadn’t read it! My interest is piqued! Is that creepy/scary because I can’t do scary 🤣 scary is where I cross the line LOL

[@kurtfox4944]

@@alanaestelle2076 Real-to-life creepy. Nothing supernatural, no maniacal slasher, or aliens. Blood Meridian is just immoral men with guns and knives The Collector is Silence of the Lambs creepy (suspenseful, but not cannibalism, and I do not think even murder). Perfume might be consider magic realism, but more crime than creepy.. All of that is really ancillary to what the books are about.

[@Tolstoy111]

12:39 The American Left. But yeah this is the ideological kickoff to his great work. Very influential. You could draw a straight line from the Underground Man to Travis Bickle. P.S. Read Demons! (it used to be incorrectly translated as The Possessed). It's about those ideologies you talked about - D's most overtly political novel.

[@alanaestelle2076]

HA!! Interesting! I haven’t seen that movie I’ll have to check it out then. Demons is on the list! 🙌🏼 I already have The Idiot on my shelf so I’ll read that before Demons.

[@clhjr0]

Calling Dostoevsky D Money is hilarious hahah

[@alanaestelle2076]

LOOOOL he's my Boy!😂

[@ryokan9120]

P&V translations are always clunky, and they ruined Dostoevsky. They feel so unnatural, A much better translation is by Michael Katz.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Oooh good to know 👀

[@modernoverman]

Couldn't disagree more. P&V are the definitive Enlgish translators. This novella is amazing.

[@ryokan9120]

@@modernoverman Not according to several Russian literature academics!