Fyodor Dostoyevsky by Geir Kjetsaa

by Geir Kjetsaa

Kjetsaa tells the dramatic story of how Dostoyevsky, the son of an irascible minor aristocrat, rose rapidly to fame as a writer and just as rapidly lost everything--almost including his life--for his liberal political views. Kjetsaa vividly recreates Dostoyevsky's last-minute rescue from a firing squad and explores how his long imprisonment in Siberia profoundly shaped his vision as a novelist.

Genres: Biography, Russia, Nonfiction, Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Armin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geir Kjetsaa, seinerzeit Vizepräsident der internationalen Dostojewskij-Gesellschaft liefert alles, was der aufmerksame Leser zum Verständnis des Werkes braucht. Seine Darstellung hat mein Verstädnis von Ds Werk enorm vertieft.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best "shorter" biographies of Mr. D. Quite well written and interesting, but obviously lacks the depth of Frank's five-volume work. This is the one to read if you don't want to plunge into Frank's biography. One of volumes in this publisher's absolutely great series of literary biographies - each subtitled "A Writer's Life."

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book on and off for a long time. Just 20 pages to go. Felt longer than any Dostoyevsky novel.

It only took me about two years to read this book. It's not a page-turner, but is fascinating in its own grandiose manner.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but difficult read...... difficult insomuch that it is very dark as it parallel's Dostoyevsky's life alongside historical events in Russia coinciding at the time. It could be depressing at times so I chose to read in spurts over time. As a result, it took quite awhile to read. Gives a lot of insight into Dostoyevsky's works and how they were influenced by not only historical events, but also his own life events. If you like Dostoyevsky's works, you'll enjoy this book.

[Wesley Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent combination of both biography and literary analysis. The book follows and narrates the chronological story of Dostoevsky's while breaking the biographical narrative to offer some comments and insights into the works of Dostoevsky.

[Jay Ericson]

Felt like reading one of his books, his life really imitated it. A very moving biography. The letters he wrote to his brother were particularly quotable and memorable.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows exactly how un-likable and messed-up a hero can be. Deep truths came from a man who succumbed to shallow passions. It reveals a man who received much grace and saw the light of Christ reaching into the most depraved places. Dostoyevsky was enamored with Christ.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Reads like a Dostoyevsky novel.

[Brian]

Egregiously tedious

[Peter Conti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch bio. Reads like a novel. With he would have marked the endnotes though.