Man.. I feel defeated. This is the second Dostoevsky novel I've given up on.
I tried reading Crime and Punishment, and couldn't get more than halfway through.
Thought I'd try his magnum opus, was reading the new translation from Katz and 300 pages in, I just… can't.
There are certainly passages that slap, but it just felt, excessively philosophical. I found myself speed reading through chapters thinking 'please just get to the point'. I enjoyed Alyosha and the sections in the Monastery, but I don't know why I can't get into the book as a whole. Am I not intelligent enough to understand the subtext? I don't give up on books often so I'm a little disappointed. This guy is literally a titan in the literature world.
Idk.. Feels bad man.
by WhaleSexOdyssey
13 Comments
The best part about reading is getting to choose what to read.
If it doesn’t resonate, it doesn’t resonate. No need to feel defeated by that. Read what engages you and you like, not what others say you should like.
Not everything is for everyone and life is relatively short.
Having said that, going into Brothers K you probably should have been geared up to expect a ton of philosophy. That’s basically the point of the book.
Much respect for trying. But just remember, reading is meant to be a joyful experience, and if this book (or this author) isn’t speaking to you, there are a literal million other books or authors that might.
Life’s too short to force yourself to slog through books
I loved Crime and Punishment, though I hear your enjoyment is largely impacted by the translation you choose, but I have tried several different translations of The Brothers Karamazov and have never been able to get through it myself, either. I’m sure I’ll try again someday, but it just never seems to pick up.
Don’t worry man. I’m dumb to
Great job putting in some work to experience the writing. Put them aside for a few years and then try them again later. You will be different because of your life experiences and the books might hit different. If not, move on. There are plenty of classic writers to learn from. Keep reading – it makes your world different!!
maybe you need to embrance slow reading. when you read slow, you understand better, you enjoy the book more. its not a shame to take a long time to read a book.
Dostoevsky is an author you need to really sit with and give time and attention to. Sometimes he’s just not someone’s cup of tea, but people who are going to read him are going to do so for the long philosophical debates between characters as well as the careful character studies. You do not read Dostoevsky for the plot.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it, but if you were turned off by the philosophical discussions then it’s really just not the book for you. I’d say you probably missed the best parts (the three meetings with Smerdyakov and, finally, the Devil, are one of the best series of chapters in most of classical literature) but it sounds like you wouldn’t really have appreciated them anyways.
Don’t feel bad! It’s just not your jam!
The philosophy is the point. Both of those books are about the characters internal journeys, not plot.
Either it’s not for you or it’s not for you right now.
Try again in 10 yrs!
The first half is a grind for everyone
Did you make it far enough to be able to watch the movie?
https://theonion.com/film-adaptation-of-the-brothers-karamazov-ends-where-mo-1819570950/