The Classics discussion

So what did you think of the beginning? Have you ever read Dostoyevsky before?

I haven't had a chance to start it yet but I am hoping to this weekend. I read Crime and Punishment a few years ago and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping to do the same here.


lori :)

This is my first Dostoyevsky book. I finished about 10% of the book. I wrote the names of the characters and their relations to each other in a list so I don't get lost with all the Russian names.

Good idea, Selina. I'll try that when I pick it up.


Lori :)

I finished Part I of the book. I think I know who the title is referring to, although at this point of the book, I do not agree that the word "idiot" describes the person. I wonder if the original Russian term and the translated English term "idiot" have the exact same meaning. There are many characters, and the author described them in sufficient details to let me feel that they are each different from the others. I am still interested to continue reading.

I don't think russian and english meanings are different. As I understand, Myshkin is so naive, so dreamy that other people find it easier for themselves to call him "idiot", otherwise they would have to ask themselves - why they don't live like him. Myshkin is a christian character of a modern era, he can turn other cheek to hitter not only litterally (remember scene with Ganya?) but he acts, lives like that. Whole story is about society which just can't accept such person so they call him "idiot"

That is my understanding too. I also think that he is very upfront about his past illness, even to describing it as having fits sometimes, and that that contributes to their characterization and assumptions about him. I'm still in the middle of Part Two - so not much else to add - yet!