Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

"An Honest Thief" (Russian: Честный вор, Chestny vor) is an 1848 short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The story recounts the tale of the tragic drunkard Emelyan Ilyitch.

Let us start out with this short story! or would you like to suggest another?

I don't own it! Chagrin.



As fervent a fan of FD as I am, I haven't read every single thing he wrote...and I don't have another convenient entry to suggest. He excelled in any length; but I only regard him as a 'ponderous' full-length novelist rather than a Gogol or Pushkin.

Lesle wrote: ""An Honest Thief" (Russian: Честный вор, Chestny vor) is an 1848 short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The story recounts the tale of the tragic drunkard Emelyan Ilyitch.

Let us start out with this s..."

There is a book of short stories:
The Best Short Stories

If anyone else can get this one there are 7 stories to choose from, The Honest Thief being one of them. I can get it from my library

This site offers his works in PDF form for free including An Honest Thief:

Complete Work:
http://www.holybooks.com/fjodor-dosto...

An Honest Thief:
http://holybooks.lichtenbergpress.net...

Is there already an agreement for The Honest Thief? Reading about drunkards or drug addicts has never been of interest to me. I might through also White Nights: By Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Illustrated into the round.

The Brothers Karamazov is the only one of his works I have read so I am good with anything else.
Lesle over to you...

I've read mainly 'Notes from the Underground' and 'Crime & Punishment'. Including re-reads. But I'm familiar with the author from having read so much literary criticism on him and his works. No time to start any of his titles this year, unfortunately. So, I won't have much commentary to contribute. Other than maybe a biographical note or two.

For example, French existentialist (or rather, 'absurdist') Albert Camus devotes quite a bit of attention to him in his survey of European revolutionary thought. That book is, 'The Rebel'.

Felik if you do not mind could you make your contributions of notes or facts under 'Author of the Month' so we can focus on the Short Stories here.

Hope to see you notes soon! :)

I think I would like to read An Honest Thief, but you can read any of his Short Stories and make comments here. It is just a suggestion.

If you check out msg 4, you can pick your choice for free!

White Nights in the free version above is 52 pages and An Honest Thief is 28 pages!

So we can easily read one or the other and/or both!

Feliks wrote: "I've read mainly 'Notes from the Underground' and 'Crime & Punishment'. Including re-reads. But I'm familiar with the author from having read so much literary criticism on him and his works. No tim..."

Any knowledge you can share with us will be great. Thanks

Lesle wrote: "White Nights in the free version above is 52 pages and An Honest Thief is 28 pages!

So we can easily read one or the other and/or both!"

I should be picking up my book tomorrow and can read both. (I have a hard time reading from a computer screen for too long). Sounds good.

The Gambler is one of his most famous stories, especially since he himself had a gambling addiction.

Just let me know and I will read both with you!

Lesle wrote: "White Nights in the free version above is 52 pages and An Honest Thief is 28 pages!

So we can easily read one or the other and/or both!"

I am starting The Honest Thief tonight and will read White Nights also. Where to post comments?

Tracey, sorry just post them here just let us know in the first line which one your commenting on.

Lesle wrote: "Tracey, sorry just post them here just let us know in the first line which one your commenting on."

The Honest Thief.
I didn't rate the book highly although the story is interesting. The idea of an honest thief is an oxymoron and yet the thief was honest in his heart. The fact that he had stolen from his friend seemed to bring about the final demise of the thief. A case of 'to thine own self by true.' In desperation the thief went against his own standards and paid the ultimate price. His deathbed confession was the final act.

Making use that the archived topics stay open for comments: Actually I only now finished reading an "An Honest Thief". It took me so long as I ventured to read it in the original language which proved to be a tough challenge given that the story is mostly in spoken colloquial language of lower class people. Furthermore the story did not really tough me. Probably I do not feel the same empathy and pity for drunkards as many - particularly Slavic - people do.

How does it compare to his other stories, Peter?

I had tried reading 'The Idiot ' long ago but 3 whole books of it put me off. Perhaps I was not ready for it then...It still lies untouched at home...

The Idiot was the first novel by D. that I read. It is one of my two favourites, the other being The Brothers Karamazov.

I must read Brothers Kramazov, I have only heard great revìews..

Rosemarie wrote: "How does it compare to his other stories, Peter?"

I do not know Dostoyevsky's short stories well enough. But his novels are much more profound, in particular the Brothers Karamazov.

Peter we leave them open for just this purpose. One day I am sure we will max out but...

Tony and I read the Adolescent as a Buddy Read:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I was afraid to read the 3 novels Rosemarie likes, for worried about a huge let down if when I read his short stories or other works.

https://fabbyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoy...

I just finished The Gambler. I liked it and now I am reading The Double.

Dostoevsky describes all about the addiction and temptation of gambling, it reminded me of Old Curiosity Shop in some scenes. The hero tries to find all solutions through gambling and cannot fathom why his beloved is not accepting him, he can’t see beyond gambling. Till the very end he is a Gambler.