September / Russia Reading: The Idiot by Dostoevsky

[Scheherazade]

In September, we will be reading Dostoevsky's The Idiot.

Please post your thoughts and questions in this thread.

Online Text

[DapperDrake]

Ok, well I have my copy but it may take me a little while to get started i'll finish off my current book in a few days but unfortunately I'm as busy as all hell at the moment with work and study so at best I'll manage one and a half hours a day of reading... Remains to be seen if that's enough for me to finish a book of this size in a month :/

[mickitaz]

Well.. having been one of the individuals who voted for We, I jumped ahead and started reading The Idiot. I can say that I am delightfully pleased so far. I must admit Dostoevsky's style of writing is easy and descriptive. The story line is interesting in and of itself.

What I particularly am intrigued with is that everyone implicates Muishkan as a simple minded creature. Furthermore, that he is mentally unstable. To be frank, I think that he is the most sane person presented so far. I am sure the extent of other characters bizzar behavior is to enhance a particular point.

[Gladys]

Mickitaz, I agree with every syllable. The Idiot is brimming with warmth.

[hellsapoppin]

I will not be reading this excellent book with the group but give it my highest recommendation. When I read it years ago what stood out for me was Myshkin's parallels with Jesus:

Both were 'princes' (Jesus = prince of peace), both very passive in the face of much social anxiety, both seemingly in a quest for truth, and both subjected to ridicule. There was also some tension over materialist values which both dismissed as insignificant to themselves.

Sorry to say I don't recall how it ended but I'm sure it will keep your attention until the very last sentence.

Enjoy!

[mickitaz]

I agree with Prince Muishken being portrayed at "Jesus" in a sense. You see the imagry as far as his being described in light colors, a childlike expression and such. What I also find interesting, is we experience other character's houses... The Epanchin's estate, Rogojins's house, even Hippolyte's room. But not once, (so far at least) do we have a description of the prince's house.

To further enhance the savior image, Rogojin's house is described as dark and allowing no sunlight to come through. Furthermore, his attitude in general is dark and unforgiving. This is more evident when he speaks directly to the prince himself.

What is even more interesting, is at the party of the prince's birthday Lebedeff goes off on a tangent, first describing the Apocolypse, then going into a general description of Satan. Specifically, he states that Satan probably doesn't look like the monster with the horns as society has built, but rather like a regular human being.

[Gladys]

Interesting that there's no description of the prince's house. Maybe, he's just a stranger and pilgrim in Russia, from far-away Switzerland?

What are we to make of Evgenie Pavlovitch?

[mickitaz]

I thought of that at first, regarding his traveling through Russia. But not once is it mentioned that he has a place of residence, or renting a room somewhere. Hmm.. I will have to think more on that.

In refrence to Evgenie Pavlovitch.. I am not really sure to be honest. I get the impression that one should not trust him. Then again, at this point, I am not trusting a lot of the characters. I almost feel as not one of them is true or safe, and in some way they will hurt Muishken to his own detriment. Must.... read.... on.....

Gladys.. have you read this book previously?

[DapperDrake]

Oh, Just wondering, what translations are we all reading?

I have the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky - its new apparently :-/

[mickitaz]

The version I am reading was published in 1868 and translated by Eva Martin.

[ggeneraux]

Oh, Just wondering, what translations are we all reading?

I have the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky - its new apparently :-/

I'm also reading this translation. I picked up a copy from the library today and finished the introduction a few minutes ago

[bazarov]

Starting tomorrow.

[HerGuardian]

As I just finished chapter 9 part 1, I've noticed that Dostoevsky is using Mushkin to deliver his views about execution and other matters. However, the novel is going smoothly and carefully built. I liked it so far.

[DapperDrake]

I'm enjoying it very much just hit chapter 16, I must say its very amusing and a good flowing read - in a word its delightful.
I'm off to Canary Wharf by train for work tomorrow, so I hope shall be able to get a good chunk of reading done, assuming I can get a seat on the train back.

[mickitaz]

Well, I have just finished the book. Very good indeed. There were many times I had to force myself to put the book down (since I had to go to sleep for work the next morning).

One bit of irony I found... they said that Natasia had the book of Madame Bovary. I couldn't help but think of the similarities in character between herself and Madame Bovary. I distained both of them in such a strain...Oh!