آشنایی با داستایفسکی

Great Writers in 90 Minutes

by Paul Strathern, رضا نوحی (Translator)

آشنایی با نویسندگان مجموعه‌ای است برای آگاهی از اندیشه و زندگی نویسندگان برجسته، و تأثیری که آن‌ها بر جهان فرهنگ و ادب و چالش آدمی برای درک جایگاه خود در جهان هستی گذاشتند. هر کتاب در کنار اطلاعات زندگی‌نامه‌ای، افکار و عقاید نویسنده را به‌ویژه در مواجهه با جریان‌ها و تحولات ادبی و فرهنگی عصرش بازگو و نکته‌های اصلی اندیشهٔ او را از زبان خود او بیان می‌کند. مؤلف به تحلیل روحیات و شخصیت نویسندگان توجهی خاص دارد و از همین رو است که خواننده در پایان کتاب احساس می‌کند نویسندهٔ مطرح‌شده برای او نه فقط یک نام مشهور که شخصیتی آشنا است.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, Audiobook, Russia, Literature

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2004

About the author

Paul Strathern (born 1940) is a English writer and academic. He was born in London, and studied at Trinity College, Dublin, after which he served in the Merchant Navy over a period of two years. He then lived on a Greek island. In 1966 he travelled overland to India and the Himalayas. His novel A Season in Abyssinia won a Somerset Maugham Award in 1972.

Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics.

Reviews

[Bekhradaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

۱۷
نیچه نه از پوچ گرایی جانب داری کرد و نه از خودکشی، بله برعکس نیچه تاکید می کرد که خود باید آزادی اش را بدست آورد. ارزش های خود را بسازد و مسئولیت کامل سرنوشت خویش را به دست گیرد. اما نتیجه اینها قطعا خودکشی نبود. این است تفاوت فاحش بین نیچه و داستایوسکی. دغدغه فکری داستایوسکی در نهایت معنوی بود، یعنی رستگاری روح آدمی بدون توجه به هزینه آن در زندگی

۱۶
راسکولنیکوف پیش خود جنایت اش را از جنبه های گوناگون منطقی توجیه می کند. یکی از استدلالهای اصولی او آرمان فایده باورانه است که در زمان داستایوسکی بسیار در میان روشنفکران مدپرست سن پترزبورگ مورد استقبال قرار گرفته بود. بر اساس عقیده اصالت فایده چیزی به عنوان اصول اخلاقی مطلق وجود ندارد... بر عکس، اخلاقیات صرفا ساخته و پرداخته اجتماع است. چیزی خوب است که بیشترین خوشحالی را برای بیشترین افراد به همراه آورد

[Theo Logos · Rating 3 out of 5]

”I am a sick man. I am full of spleen, and repellent. I believe I am diseased, but I know nothing whatsoever about my disease. I do not know for certain what ails me.
Dostoevsky, Notes From Underground

Paul Strathern opens this brief introduction to Dostoevsky and his work with high drama. Dostoevsky, along with other prisoners is made to kneel in the snow in front of a line of soldiers with rifles. They are then read their death sentence. As the soldiers shoulder their rifles preparing for the order to fire, a horseman gallops up and hands the commander an order granting clemency to the condemned. As it turns out, all this was a mock exercise design to terrify the prisoners, but Dostoevsky had no way of knowing. His experience of this event had a profound effect.

Before he moves on to analyzing Dostoevsky’s works, Strathern provides another pitch dark biographical detail. Dostoevsky’s father, a nasty tyrant of a man who horribly abused his serfs and regularly despoiled their daughters, was finally murdered by those serfs who waylaid him, crushed his testicles by hand, then choked him to death by forcing a vast amount of vodka down his throat. Upon hearing this news, the young Dostoevsky was so overcome by conflicting emotions that he experienced his first epileptic seizure.

The majority of this brief introduction is devoted to critiquing Dostoevsky’s works, which Strathern fines both flawed and brilliantly imaginative. Of the ending of Crime and Punishment Strathern writes:

”Raskolnikov is on his way to redemption, presumably to become one of the chosen few who will survive the epidemic of individualism.
Fortunately, this polemic ending does not undercut the sheer psychological power of Dostoevsky’s imagination.
In an ironic echo of Raskolnikov the profound artist in Dostoevsky was so much more powerful than his ideas, no matter his woeful forebodings with regard to the yellow peril of individualism, in Raskolnikov he had created one of the most profound and tragic individuals in 19th century Western literature, a Hamlet for his time”

This theme runs through all of Strathern’s analysis of Dostoevsky’s writings. Brilliant imagination but flawed, not just because of literary structural issues, but because of Dostoevsky’s brooding, theocratic based Russian exceptionalism and his abhorrence of Western individualism and progress. He writes:

”Dostoevsky was a fervent patriot…he believed in ancient, Holy Russia and the timeless, spiritual qualities that he was convinced it possessed more than any other European country.”

The main works that Strathern critiques here are:
The Double
The Gambler
Notes From Underground
Crime and Punishment
The Idiot
The Possessed
The Brothers Karamazov

And his attitude towards them is best summed up here (though he qualifies this endorsement by stating that, for best results, Dostoevsky should be read as a teen or youth)

”Few of a balanced disposition would aspire to emulate any of Dostoevsky’s major characters, or even live in the world they inhabit. But immersion in such a world for the time it takes to read several hundred pages can be as exhilarating as any drug.”

[Ehsan'Shokraie' · Rating 4 out of 5]

اثر شگفت انگیز پل استراترن در شناخت داستایفسکی,از خواندن صفحه به صفحه ش لذت بردم.مجموعه گسترده پل استراترن از بهترین قدم ها برای شناخت و درک اولیه صحیحی از بزرگترین نویسندگان و فیلسوفان جهان است.

آثار داستایفسکی همچو رعد و برقی بر صحنه همواره تاریک مانده ی ذهن انسان بود..آثاری روان کاوانه که به تمامیت ذهن انسان..به تمام افکار و کنش ها و انگاره هایی می پردازد که پیش از این خاموش مانده بودند..آثار داستایفسکی همچو اختراع چرخ انسان باستان است..آثاری توانا کننده و تاثیرگذار..برای درک اذهانی آشفته..که از آنان دوری می گزیدیم,اذهانی که گاه متعلق به خودمان بودند.

[M Pereira · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes a tired and critical view of the author, mentioning how Dostoevsky has increasingly deranged characters. I'm reminded of a dialogue in lowbrow film 'The Transporter 3' where Statham's character notes how Russians are so often prone to being dark and depressing. The depiction of this author seemingly plays to this stereotype.

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview, clear accessible with nice quotations from original works and a helpful timeline of events in Dostoyevsky’s life. The author, unfortunately, tends to look down his nose a bit at Dostoyevsky’s Christian and eschatological thoughts, but still definitely worth the 90 minutes (or 60 if you sped it up like I did) it takes to listen to it.

[محمدقائم خانی · Rating 3 out of 5]

.


داستایفسکی در شهر بادن به سراغ دوست قدیمی‌اش از محفل بلینسکی، تورگنیف رمان‌نویس رفت. بلافاصله از منش اشرافی تورگنیف و اظهار بی‌اعتقادی‌اش به خدا و تمایل به زندگی دائم در اروپا منزجر شد. تورگنیف به او گفت: «من خودم را آلمانی می‌دانم نه روس، و به آن مباهات می‌کنم.


این دو با هم سر سازگاری نداشتند تا سال مرگ داستایفسکی، وقت سخنرانی آتشینش پیرامون پوشکین، که تورگنیف همراه همه حضار در انتهای جلسه، تشویقش کرد.

[Mary Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gives a really quick overview of Dostoevsky's life and work, but it really is just a touching on it. A bit better than reading the Wikipedia article on him. Also, injects current politics needlessly (yes, I see the point, but jeez -- ideological-driven terrorism has been a theme from the late 19th century up til today). Can't really recommend on getting a handle on Dostoevsky.

Also, with the extra readings & chronology, the audiobook was longer than 90 minutes. :)

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible overview of his work. Focuses on (and repeats) mundane and irrelevant events and plot points, and hardly touches on the groundbreaking and controversial ideas. For example, instead of exploring existentialism in Notes from the Underground, he plops in a lengthy passage from the rape scene with no context. Wish I could get my 90 minutes back.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as it goes, not bad. But can you really digest Dostoevsky in 90 minutes?

[Murgatroyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to this account Dostoevsky devolved into right wing extremism later in life. This is something I've never heard before and I'm not sure that it's accurate. I knew already that he was extremely religious, but I have never heard this before.

Also, a pet peeve of mine is when people mistake psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia for dissociative identity disorder. The themes in The Double involve a doppelganger and D.I.D. and NOT scizophrenia.

[Desollado · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of this series, this one doesn't disappoint, even if it functions as "anticommertial" to Dostoevsky's literature, althought everyone agrees he is a giant in literature, when it comes to the enjoyment of the reading, you tend to prefer giants that you agree and find relatable. We (Strathern and I) agree to perceive Dostoevsky as too neurotic and overwhelmed by his righteous sinful worldview.

[Teresa García Ybarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

un breve resumen de la vida.y obras literarias del maestro Dostoievski.
En algunos pasajes la redacción se vuelve monótona y aburrida. sin embargo, resume perfectamente una visión amplia y sencilla para principiantes de este gran escritor universal. Las entradas de algunos de sus obras cumbres te intriga a leer sus novelas.

[Martyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am grateful to this book for one reason, it has helped me to understand why I find Dostoevsky's writing so distasteful. Otherwise this is a lightweight effort, full of pop-psychology and grade school levels of historical conclusions.

[Luke Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave a brief description of life and work. Read in preparation for reading "Brothers" Karamazov". Decent enough.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have many grave reservations about this without knowing a lot about dost despite having read many of his works. fun gun to my head i would not have come to such stark conclusions especially concerning the relation of his thought to nietzsche (who is also mischaracterised)???? yet these short intros by this dude shine in their keen extraction and extravagance in the biographical detail, as well as good short summaries of works and that’s why i keep listening to em. but by tsar nicholas the first the eventual assessment of them in standing against the whole oeuvre is so fucking dumb like yeaaaah buddy just cause it’s not crime and punishment don’t mean it’s really so much lesser like give me a break, crush my testicles, choke me with vodka, and set my serfs free (to the hard labour camp in Siberia), then give me a mock execution.

[Chris Linehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It might be cheating to use these short little primers to catch up on my year’s reading goal. I don’t care though. These are good little books and I’m only reading the ones of authors that I’m fairly familiar with. I don’t want spoilers from the ones I haven’t read previously. Well most of these other ones were fairly even handed in the way they handled the author, I felt like this one on Dostoyevsky was unduly harsh to his legacy. However, I am not an expert on literature or on Dostoyevsky. So, Strathern may be right in his criticism. I’ll have to dig deeper into Dostoyevsky if I want to really challenge this assessment.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a better-than-others-in-the-series summary of Dostoevsky; one of the writers where the biography mixed in with chronology of writing books actually is informative. Nothing really out of the mainstream here (and yes, provides a reasonable description of Dostoevsky vs. Tolstoy question -- my personal answer to that is "Solzhenitsyn"). Does inspire me to want to read The Idiot; I've only ever read Notes from Underground (loved) and The Brothers Karamazov (loved slightly less but still great).

[Joshua · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could also be titled "...why I didn't really like Dostoevsky and oppose his perspective on the nature of man."

While an easy, quick over-view - I really enjoy Dostoevsky and love his almost prophetic insights leading into the coming psychotic century - so I disagreed with the writer's assessment of his works.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved both the "philosophy in an hour" and the "history in an hour" series of the same author, but it just doesn't feel right with literature. Those two are useful for familiarising oneself with ideas and the context in which they arose, before delving deeper into them. For authors of novels though, the form spoils to much, and the benefits are not worthwhile.

[Marc Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine, short little overview of Dostoevsky's life and work. I, in large part, agreed with the author's estimation that much of Dostoevsky's writing is somewhat incoherent, rambling, and obtuse--but the sheer spiritual and psychological force behind it makes his work worth reading. Thus far, however, I have enjoyed Tolstoy more.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series, but this was a low point. The biographical content was good, but the author takes quite a critical view of Dostoevsky's literary style and religious devotion. Granted, Dostoevsky was an enigmatic figure and could as well be one of the characters in his own dark and twisted novels. Still, objectivity is needed, and it wasn’t there in this installment.

[Ryan Jankowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The intent here was to be a quick primer on the life of Dostoevsky along with an overview of his major writings, influences, and characters. It's a very quick read, so don't expect much depth. For one that wants a quick review of Dostoevsky's life, it should suffice. Strathern does not evidence much of a sophisticated understanding of the texts themselves.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and the title is true, it’s a summary of Dostoevsky’s works and his life in 90 minutes.

The book was not remarkable in any regard and I have a hard time recommending it to anyone.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done mini-bio that fills in many gaps.

Whirlwind Biography of the whirlwind sufferings of an amazingly troubled Man and powerful force of Russian Literature. This work provides the context from which his books arose. It explains a lot in a few pages. Thank you.

Four Stars. ****

[counter-hegemonicon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview, interesting facts. Namely that Dostevsky was kind of an ethno-nationalist and very superstitious, also his writing skewed adolescent/youthfully exuberant. Oh and finally criticism of misogyny

[D.B. Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read his books but wasn't sure where to start. This helped in my decision. For the time he lived and almost dying I can see why his characters are dark.

[Shishir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise recording on not only the life and writings of Dostoevsky but also giving us glimpses of his psychological leanings and philosophical struggles

[Wesley and Fernie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only ever really heard of Dotoyevsky, but never really read anything by him. Definitely an interesting look at the man behind the classical novels I’ve heard so much about.

[Fam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suggestion: read some Dostoyevsky and then read this.
It will help to understand the incredibly complex social, economical, familial and political influences on the writer's work

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of my interest in Dostoevsky, I found this quick listen in Audible to be just what I was seeking. It briefly contains the good, the bad, and the ugly in a balanced mix.