Demons, by Fyodor Dostoevsky | Mayberry Bookclub

#booktube #bookreview In which I talk about Demons, by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

[@TheBINIBALL]

Alexei Kirillov is one of the most intriguing characters of Dostoevsky. I see now why Camus devoted an essay in studying his suicide question.

[@NaNa-wj8tw]

The most difficult novel I’ve ever read and trying to keep track of character names- good grief! Enjoyed it immensely though.

[@ivanppillay914]

Na Na: My most difficult are James Joyce's, "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake". Laurence Sterne's, "Trisham Shandy" is another.

[@limpty]

I kept a “cheat sheet” of names and character identities.

[@as_below_so_above]

Just finished the book myself and I like the parts of the book that you highlighted. I definitely struggled to follow each character and their relationships to one another, but I gotta say this has been one of the most rewarding reads ever. Seeing how much chaos ensues in the end of the book is a stark contrast to all the debates and conversations of the beginning.

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

I've been reading Dostoevsky recently, but haven't read Demons yet. Therefore this video was very useful, Matthew. I think this is another book which will need to be read pencil in hand, but i often find those are the most rewarding. I always enjoy your comments on books, you always get to the core, a natural deep reader. Thanks.

[@heavenlyonyxcloudserpent]

It’s a challenging novel, but as others said, upon reaching part 3 of the book (i.e. the last 200 pages) the payoff is immense. Stepans final epiphany about the bible verse was a great revelation, and it is also quoted by Solzhenitsyn in his Gulag Archipelago (which fits Demons’ theme). Also, Kirillov with his philosophy was as fascinating character.

[@EminAnimE1]

Stavrogin's confession is probably the darkest chapter I've ever read. A shame that some editions don't put it in, given that it was removed due to censorship back when it was written.

[@mitchellharivel1649]

I just finished the novel. Very challenging, very rewarding, yes! I appreciate you jogging my memory of some great highlights.

[@trickytrock8924]

Pjotr Stepanowitch is the clear protagonist of this story for me. He wanted to do what Kirillow wanted but on a much larger scale. While Kirillow wanted to prove his self will by killing himself, Pjotr instead wanted to plunge the entire nation into chaos, bringing it all down but with a much stronger effect. Kirillows ideas are fascinating, but he was still stuck in a very individualistic approach. Pjotr brought this idea to a whole new level by realising that ideas are bigger than individuals. Thats the whole idea of the book btw which lead to the title demons or possessed as being possessed by ideas

[@johnshrader1655]

I'm reading it and your discussion assures me to continue through the tedious beginning. Thanks for the help.

[@vanjaplavsic617]

Definitely reading this next 🥳 thanks for the great review

[@truetributes2150]

Good explainins bro going to finish this one

[@donniedewitt9878]

Excellent review

[@Vintagevanessa99]

Finished last night. I always feel bereavement when I've finished a book by Tolstoy or dostoyevsy. Wonderful writing very current. Thanks for your insights. Von lembke a great character too they all are. Love the midwife too. !! ❤

[@teodordumitrescu]

Back in my rural Romanian school this haircut was named "Lice haircut" or "Tuns de paduchi". Looks nice on you. Very good video, I enjoyed it!

[@MayberryBookclub]

Haha why thank you!

[@williamwimbourne856]

That's a really good book review dude 👍 you got me hooked. I've ordered my copy.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

As you started this I was worried that you didn’t like the book, so it was wonderful to see how much you enjoyed it. I agree that it feels like the most authentic of Dostoevsky’s novels. The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment are extraordinarily powerful books, but they also seem to be nightmares or fever dreams that found their way to the page. The characters in Demons feel lived in, and the weird, circular conversations could still occur in a bar or back porch today. Stavrogin continues to haunt my mind a dozen years after I first read this, and Lizaveta is right there alongside him. The simultaneous takedown of the “old guard” of intellectuals and the young nihilists is devastating, as are the consequences. I think I felt worst for the characters in this book at the end of all of his novels. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Best, Jack

[@MayberryBookclub]

I thought it was a powerful book, nearly experimental. I still prefer Brothers, it has just as large of a scope of ideas but managed to balance character and plotting with philosophical digressions in a way that Demons struggled to do for me. It's a brilliant and powerful work but I would not recommend it to anyone unless they were already a big Dostoyevsky fan. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it as well, best regards.

[@Herintruththelies]

I'm currently going through it the second time and now, knowing what the characters are doing and who they are, the early parts of the book are more interesting. I still think this book contains one of the more dangerous ideas I've personally ever encountered. And as you say, it's scary precisely because it's NOT science fiction.

[@chenk2106]

I just finished mine and came here to see how other readers have reacted to it. Honestly its overwhelming especially the end. I think I will be taking a break before picking up another Russian literature. Good review.

[@MayberryBookclub]

It's intense! And thank you!

[@maxprice1118]

Hi Mathew. Thank you so much for your video. I’m about to reread Demons, one of my favs. I loved the part you read out and how you highlight the humour of Demons. It’s hilarious. I was a much younger man when I first read this and was very radical in my politics. Dostoyevsky, and particularly this book annihilated my world view. I’m very much looking forward to reading it through a different lens.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-xe5jz8om7x]

Dostoevsky is sheer genius. great review!

[@MayberryBookclub]

Thank you!

[@limpty]

Hi there. I enjoyed your synopsis very much. I read Demons recently and loved it. I also read the “missing chapter”. I like the book better without. It’s more of a mystery. The subtracted chapter was so disturbing. I’ve also read the Idiot and Crime and Punishment.

[@MrRocketMountain]

I read it 10 years ago on a holiday in Greece. I remember the discussion about the benefits of suicide, which I reflected on for long afterwards.

[@DimaaReyma]

03:35 Wow what an interesting observation because I subconsciously felt like this

[@user-xe5jz8om7x]

I was reading the title also translates to 'the possessed', haunting how Pyotr stepanovich is madly ideologically possessed. absolutely one of my fav works by Dostoevsky and v v challenging!

[@MayberryBookclub]

I've seen the title translated as The Possessed, Demons, and Devils. I also like the original title, Besy!

[@Herintruththelies]

My Russian speaking friend told me that the word translates to 'minor demons'. He explains that there are conceptually different classes of demons in the Russian zeitgeist and this book refers to the 'lesser or 'minor' demons. But he's never read the book so he couldn't tell me how exactly that relates to the novel itself.

[@granteckhardt4878]

I am currently reading Demons and have reached the end of part 2. The conversations feel chaotic with ideas that are confusing but feel very sinister. There are some pretty humorous moments and I am really enjoying the character dialogues, although I struggle to keep track of everything being said, and who is saying what exactly.

[@catpantsfriday8423]

i have read it, i love dostoevsky and i believe this is the hardest book ive read by him so far.

[@aek12]

Hei, Thanks a lot for the introduction. Greetings from India.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Why hello! Greetings from the states!

[@lucasvarela9632]

After I finish the brothers karamoz i’lol let you know which is my favorite.

[@messianic_scam]

Is there a free edition on line book here in my country very expensive

[@danicaholly1554]

Thank you for the video. I somehow always doubt if Demons a novel is in lit. terms. For me it was like philosophical treatise and analyse of Russian society in 19. cent. and corrupted Czar regime, the state before the revolution started.

[@MayberryBookclub]

I agree! It really pushes the boundaries of what is considered a novel.

[@frankmorlock1403]

This is not my favourite Dostoevski novel for a couple reasons. I think you have to be familiar with Russian history during the middle to late 19th century to appreciate what Dostoevski is doing. This was a period of great ferment in Russian society especially in the intelligentsia. There was a movement amongst students and idealists to try to educate the peasantry. It was sincere, idealistic and a total failure. Savage government suppression, peasant indifference and inept and embittered students who wound up exiled to Siberia or ruined for life characterised this well intentioned movement. Dostoevski was part of it, but after nearly being executed he turned on the radicals and embraced the the repressive Czarist regime. If that werent bad enough he went on to basically slander his former comrades. As one contemporary speaking of the radicals and their opposition to the injustices of the regime put it There are men in Russia who are prepared to walk through fire to right these wrongs. Many suffered greatly and were very heroic. And, of course, there were some crazies. Dostoevski tries to convince you that most of them were crazies or bad people. The martyrs well, he doesnt talk about them. Being a great psychologist of abnormal types Dostoevski paints a compelling picture. The trouble with that picture is simply this. It portrays the minority as the majority''which must have suited the the regime very well-

[@enoughnonsenseplease3780]

Great review without much spoilers at all! Would you consider it more difficult than the brothers karamazov??

[@MayberryBookclub]

Thank you! Yeah Demons is the hardest of the big books for me.

[@Bradsworld2]

I have read it. I like all of D’s major works. Demons (I read the same translation as you) was my least favorite; although, I did enjoy it. I didn’t like the characters in the novel. I never found myself identifying with any of them. I did feel great pity for Stravogin. My experience with the “Idiot” was just the opposite. I loved many of the characters and was rooting for them, especially, but not exclusively, Prince Myshkin. My favorite D read (The Brothers was an awesome read and definitely his masterpiece.) I hope you do a review of “The Idiot.” Also, I’d love for readers to weigh in on translators. I didn’t like the Pevear and V translation of “Notes...” that much.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Thank you for your response! Of Dostoevsky's novels this is probably my least favorite as well, though I found it to be a rewarding reading experience. My favorite Dostoevsky translator is Ignat Avsey. Best regards,

[@Bradsworld2]

Mayberry Bookclub thank you. Helpful. I just got his translation of Brothers for a re-read! Encouraging.

[@richardbenitez7803]

Brad Kittle - Brothers K is so brilliant. Dense. But one of the best features i s Dostoevsky’s ability to write engaging dialogue in a group setting. Gee. I’ve never read another author that can be half as good.

[@MyRobertallen]

Richard Benitez Try George Bernanos. French disciple of Dostoevsky

[@annabrady4967]

A biblical plot

[@muhamedbrko6990]

I just wanted to see if I was the only one who couldn't really understand it. I tried so hard to follow the plot, but one small mistake and you just can't keep up with it. Haha btw very nice reflection on the book tnx.

[@serban8298]

I read this at 17 too.I did manage to understand the book pretty well, but I agree that it's a pretty difficult book!

[@thebooktraveller1901]

Hello Matthew, I think the episodic nature of the book would frustrate me. Although, it sounds like a potpourri of interesting ideas.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Of all of Dostoevsky's novels this is the one that I would be least likely to recommend.

[@thebooktraveller1901]

@@MayberryBookclub So, I can cross that off my BadReads list then!

[@dreww6696]

the saddest words of tongue and pen are dostoevsky was right again

[@AheadOfTheCurveVideos]

Do you have a Goodreads account? Would like to follow you. - Nice review man.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Hello! I do not have a goodreads account, I've actually never used it. And thank you!

[@ilqar887]

Unfortunately this book is not widely published

[@clauderichards6239]

Where's your Crime And Punishment review?

[@MayberryBookclub]

I haven't made a video, the next time I read the book I'll make a review.

[@Undesignedd]

I definitely relate with Stovrogin (Nicolas). I'm nihilist and atheist and find no reason to be good or bad also. I'll probably end like him

[@nathanreeve2319]

I hope you don't end like him.

[@Undesignedd]

Actually i am bipolar at the same time - such as Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Van Gogh who killed themselves. And about 2-3 months ago i committed suicide 2 times but ended up at psychiatrist. This time i survived but i definitely know that I'll end up with suicide in 5 years max.

[@Undesignedd]

And for me it's not something dramatic or tragic. It's just my choice. I just don't enjoy living. And I respect anyone who chooses death or life.

[@MayberryBookclub]

Hello! If you you ever want to chat, please feel free to send me a message! My email is [e-mail] We can talk about books, or anything thing at all!

[@milfredcummings717]

​@@Undesignedd You probably know who David Foster Wallace was. He killed himself in the same way as Stavrogin. If it could bring him back, I would kill myself right away. Whenever I watch his interview I start crying kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ivq4qaiZypfcU. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, just that you are not alone. Jeffrey Eugenides wrote the novel The Marriage Plot. The main character of the novel is obviously inspired by David Foster Wallace. I think you should read it. The main character of the novel has bipolar disorder. David Foster Wallace suffered from severe depression but did not have bipolar disorder. Have you read Emil Cioran? His essays are so depressing and nihilistic that people give up suicide when they read them. I find it funny when other people say they don’t understand Demons and that the characters are horrible. When I first read Demons, I realized how ingenious Dostoevsky is. He described a group of nihilists in a small provincial town so perfectly accurately. While reading the novel, I always had that feeling: "It's us!" Dostoevsky was a genius psychologist, a hundred times better than that Viennese hochstapler. Have you read anything from Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar? He is one of my favorite writers.