DOSTOEVSKY: Where to start, where to go & why translation matters

[@19tzortz]

He doesn't just steel man the opposition philosophy, he steel mans the characters as well. Ivan Karamazov, for example, is an incredibly well written and sensitively drawn character. Also, having read almost everything he has written, I agree that C+P is probably the best starting point for Dostoevsky. I think it is the most approachable of his works for a western audience.

[@brentstrykertalksalot]

Absolutely agree with your first point! No one feels shallow or hollow, or to just serve as an example of whatever ideology Dostoevsky wants them to. Everyone feels REAL

[@lock67ca]

@@19tzortz So true. We know that Dostoevsky takes the side of Orthodox Christianity in his major works but, he also presents, especially in Karamozov, some of the best arguments for atheism ever written.

[@priyarajsinhjadeja5262]

I am very grateful that this video just popped up on my feed by chance. I've had Crime & Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov for the better part of the year, but I've been putting them off since I'm a procrastinator. I'm not sure how to put it, but the atmosphere you create and the way you speak make your video feel like home. I subscribed already, and I'll be watching your videos!

[@azazeln]

The pain, the misery, the esoteric suffering, the philosophy, all that a man with values needs by one author!

[@brentstrykertalksalot]

@@azazeln not only that, someone who inspires hope & the ability to change for the better! There is hope & love even for a Raskolnikov!

[@lock67ca]

Frank's biography is a must read, whichever version you choose. The abridged version (which is the one I've read) has been called the best single volume biography of Dostoevsky ever written. It may be the best biography of any writer ever written. Read the unabridged if you want an extremely deep dive into his works. You really can't go wrong with either one. P&V do take a lot of heat for being so literal, but I'm someone who tends to prefer literal translations. Get me as close to the original as is possible in English. P&V do that. They may not be as easy as other translations, but that's what I like.

[@bearmann0016]

I started with the Brothers Karamazov. Didn't finish it, switched to The Double, loved it, and now I'm going back into Karamazov. Wish me luck

[@siegfriedderheld7806]

I re-read The Brothers Karamazov recently with a friend. The characters are well-developed and there’s a lot of humor such as the scandal surrounding the saintly priest’s body stinking! However, it’s important to remember that the novel was serialized and sometimes we found we just had to push through some of the dryer parts. Remarkably, the dryer parts proved not to be dry as originally thought as they were developed later. I also wondered if all three of the brothers weren’t different manifestations of Dostoevsky own self-the sensualist, the atheist, and the saint. Thanks again, Brent, for your excellent videos. Stay awesome, Mike

[@oisinmcdonagh8721]

Love the hardback collection!

[@scliffbartoni9771]

On a total whim I picked up the idiot (Garnett translation) years ago and it really ignited my love of classic literature. That first part is just so incredible!! I loved the drama and Prince Myshkin as a character is still one of my all time favorites. This is a phrase that gets bandied about a lot, but he is truly too good for this world

[@anjneyrai]

Currently reading C&M.Great video