“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
― The Brothers Karamazov
― The Brothers Karamazov
“Thus it is that no cruelty whatsoever passes by without impact. Thus it is that we always pay dearly for chasing after what is cheap.”
― The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
― The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
“Macbeth's self-justifications were feeble – and his conscience devoured him. Yes, even Iago was a little lamb, too. The imagination and spiritual strength of Shakespeare's evildoers stopped short at a dozen corpses. Ideology—that is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps to make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own and others' eyes, so that he won't hear reproaches and curses but will receive praise and honors. That was how the agents of the Inquisition fortified their wills: by invoking Christianity; the conquerors of foreign lands, by extolling the grandeur of their Motherland; the colonizers, by civilization; the Nazis, by race; and the Jacobins (early and late), by equality, brotherhood, and the happiness of future generations.... Without evildoers there would have been no Archipelago.”
― The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
― The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.”
― Crime and Punishment
― Crime and Punishment
Reading Russian Literature 2020
— 77 members
— last activity Apr 25, 2021 10:10AM
Let us come together to read Russian literature in 2020. We will have extended discussions on dialogues, scenes, writing style, society, culture and w ...more
The Fyodor Dostoyevsky Group
— 648 members
— last activity Aug 20, 2024 03:59PM
We are dedicated to discussing books by one of the greatest Russian writers ever. But 2014 will be focused on conducting a joint reading of 'The Broth ...more
Dostoyevsky's Lair: Russian Literature
— 438 members
— last activity Apr 01, 2023 02:23PM
This group explores Russian literature with an emphasis on 19th/20th century authors.
Carla’s 2025 Year in Books
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