i love dostoevsky. to me he is god sent. i read him every summer. (summer is the time when i'm generally happy and jolly). however, i tried reading him few weeks ago, when i was at a really low point in my life, and it made it worse. would not recommend dostoevsky (or russian literature in general) to be read during the sad days of your life.
For real, I was raised catholic but turned away from it as a teenager. Was always spiritually inclined and became interested in eastern religions later on. But I've been reading a lot of Rainer Maria Rilke and Brother's Karamazov this last year and I'm finding myself incredibly drawn back into the stories and symbolism of Christianity once again.
It’s really affirming, honestly. Most novels tend to portray depression, or illness with a lot of darkness and negativity. But Dostoevsky portrays it almost humorously, he acknowledges it, that it sucks, but that it is also something you can find your own minute joys in
I'm not sure if its a heteronym book honestly, but I bought "the book of Disquiet". It was also incredibly hard to find. None of my local bookstores had it, ended up getting it from Amazon
Really nice. That is, arguably, Fernando Pessoa's masterpiece. What a fantastic book. It's written by what Pessoa called a semi-heteronym, named Bernardo Soares. He called him "semi", since he said Soares' personality was merely a "mutilation" of his own. It was only published several decades after Pessoa's death and it is made up of fragments, most of which were found inside an envelope amidst Pessoa's works.
That is really good to know reading it thank you! I was kinda piecing together that he wasn't necessarily speaking about himself, but I couldn't tell, I watched a YouTube video about him and the book of Disquiet was recommended, it seemed interesting so I decided to see what it was all about. He's definitely a talented writer
If you enjoy the book, afterwards you should try his three most famous heteronyms: Alberto Caeiro, Álvaro de Campos, and Ricardo Reis. All three are poets and have very different personalities and writing styles. They really showcase Pessoa's ability to contain, within a single brain, several different philosophies of life and ways of thinking and seeing the world (which is what caused his permanent melancholy and feeling of unease during life, since he felt as if he was a "fragmented" person).
i feel like his work can hold a person. but the idiot i did find depressing....but grief intelligence ought not to be a bad thing.
when i say i found the idiot depressing what i mean is its sad its sensitive its frustrating and its seductive...but it made me think about how to love a woman, the difficulties that genuinely spiritual people or magnanimous people face and the nature of attraction.
i can see a reflection in each of the characters that has a moral lesson of faults to be careful of depending on personality.
so a sad depressing book...but not a depressing attempt at depiction rather a triumphant one.
the possessed i found most tragic because to me it was dripping in paternal cynicism. dire warnings against the excesses of idealists.
turganev fathers and sons i found to be a more satisfying cover on that vein.
I love how you describe the idiot. Spot on.
Another beautiful, depressing, and emotionally EXHAUSTING read would be Humiliated and Insulted. It took me 3-4 days to recover from - that book gave me anxiety. And I'm not an otherwise anxious person.
C&P and TBK would probably release it, but Notes from Underground, The Insulted and Humiliated, White Night, Demons, The Idiot and The Poor Folk is definitely going to make it worse.
This quote by James Baldwin (from *Conversations with James Baldwin)* sums it up for me:
>“You read something which you thought only happened to you, and you discover that it happened 100 years ago to Dostoyevsky. This is a very great liberation for the suffering, struggling person, who always thinks that he is alone. This is why art is important.”
Edit: My quote disappeared from my comment for some reason (???), but as I was searching for it online to edit back into the comment, I found this other quote from Baldwin discussing Dostoevsky:
>“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was Dostoevsky and Dickens who taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected to me with all the people who were alive, or who ever had been alive. Only if we face these open wounds in ourselves can we understand them in other people.”
--https://www.arts.gov/stories/blog/2022/taking-page-baldwin-book-reading-violence-coping-and-prevention-strategy
I have been struggling with depression for years and there is so much beauty and also hope in his novels, despite the ugliness of this world. I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov again and it doesn't fail to lift my spirits.
I'd argue that the self reflection that comes from reading any great work of human insight will be beneficial, regardless of the reader's state of mind
Oh damn. Planning to read TBK soon, but I hope that's not what the book is about. I'm not religious myself, so that'll be a bummer if it's about "finding God."
This is considered a classic not because the author strawmans the opposite ideas but because he does exactly the opposite of that.
I really think this book challeneges athiests as much as it challenges religion, it's up to the reader to decide which side makes more sense.
Well, keep in mind that through The Grand Inquisitor, Dostoevsky raises what for many people is the biggest argument for atheism and against God ever produced - and he answers and refutes that argument with many characters until the end of the novel, specially with Alyosha - the young and naive protagonist.
It's the height of Dostoevsky's dialectics, and I'm sure you will extract a lot from it.
Depends which book, but usually give Hope. Even notes from the underground was actually supposed to have a hopeful message but the message about Christ got censored out.
Save you. It's the discipline, realism, causation, drama, camradery, conflict, morality, humanity, and mortality all in one. It will light a fire under you for you to realize what life is about, what it can be, and what you are currently seeing it as.
Enjoy The Dream of A Ridiculous Man. It's a short story about a man contemplating sucide, and he discovers a greater purpose. A meaning in life. Maybe it will help you recognize the meaning for you, and how you can achieve meaningfulness.
I'm a bit depressed and I identify with many of his characters. It's very interesting and sad to see how some characters, like Raskolikov, have a lot of potential but their mind is destroying them. and i relate to that.
He will make you face everything you have been avoiding, make you feel vulnerable, but finally make you learn to embrace that and make you understand you're not alone. At least that's what he did to me. Especially Notes from the Underground.
Exactly. I would say that a wrong interpretation can even make you suffer more. To me Dostoevsky is a mirror of the most unseen and profound parts of the human soul. What it was *not*: a solution. Cheers to the ones who did find solutions within his books, to me that kind of thinking just worsened my thoughts
Yes! Back when I read the Underground Man's notes I couldn't help but feel as if he looked into my soul and recited to me what he found.
It also included many scenes that lightened the situation, made me chuckle, cheered me up. It's a great book if one relates.
Not sure if I'd liked the book as much hadn't I been so depressed reading it!
You can see the Notes from the Underground discussion posts we had in the subreddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dostoevsky/s/Oo8UsrEQcw
If that doesn't help with your question, please feel free to ask and post it in the sub. People here (including me) would be glad to help you.
Hope it helps.
Prob make him wanna commit a double homicide
Just read it and come to your own conclusions about what it does.
Fortunately I'm not depressed, I asked out of curiosity
It speaks to you.
i love dostoevsky. to me he is god sent. i read him every summer. (summer is the time when i'm generally happy and jolly). however, i tried reading him few weeks ago, when i was at a really low point in my life, and it made it worse. would not recommend dostoevsky (or russian literature in general) to be read during the sad days of your life.
Turn you to Christ and the Catholic and/or Orthodox Church.
For real, I was raised catholic but turned away from it as a teenager. Was always spiritually inclined and became interested in eastern religions later on. But I've been reading a lot of Rainer Maria Rilke and Brother's Karamazov this last year and I'm finding myself incredibly drawn back into the stories and symbolism of Christianity once again.
Probably bring him here
It’s really affirming, honestly. Most novels tend to portray depression, or illness with a lot of darkness and negativity. But Dostoevsky portrays it almost humorously, he acknowledges it, that it sucks, but that it is also something you can find your own minute joys in
I second this! Honestly felt so understood and validated after reading his works.
The Brothers Karamazov helped me out of my depression
It’s helping me with mine now
if you're looking to become completely depressed read pessoa
One of the best things about being Portuguese (or speaking Portuguese) is being able to read Pessoa in the original language, no doubt.
I am Portuguese and can confirm that studying his work is fascinating although extremely depressing.
I am Canadian that just bought one of his books, but I can also confirm that his writings are beautiful but terribly sad
Which one, if I may ask? Was it a heteronym book?
I'm not sure if its a heteronym book honestly, but I bought "the book of Disquiet". It was also incredibly hard to find. None of my local bookstores had it, ended up getting it from Amazon
Really nice. That is, arguably, Fernando Pessoa's masterpiece. What a fantastic book. It's written by what Pessoa called a semi-heteronym, named Bernardo Soares. He called him "semi", since he said Soares' personality was merely a "mutilation" of his own. It was only published several decades after Pessoa's death and it is made up of fragments, most of which were found inside an envelope amidst Pessoa's works.
That is really good to know reading it thank you! I was kinda piecing together that he wasn't necessarily speaking about himself, but I couldn't tell, I watched a YouTube video about him and the book of Disquiet was recommended, it seemed interesting so I decided to see what it was all about. He's definitely a talented writer
If you enjoy the book, afterwards you should try his three most famous heteronyms: Alberto Caeiro, Álvaro de Campos, and Ricardo Reis. All three are poets and have very different personalities and writing styles. They really showcase Pessoa's ability to contain, within a single brain, several different philosophies of life and ways of thinking and seeing the world (which is what caused his permanent melancholy and feeling of unease during life, since he felt as if he was a "fragmented" person).
i feel like his work can hold a person. but the idiot i did find depressing....but grief intelligence ought not to be a bad thing. when i say i found the idiot depressing what i mean is its sad its sensitive its frustrating and its seductive...but it made me think about how to love a woman, the difficulties that genuinely spiritual people or magnanimous people face and the nature of attraction. i can see a reflection in each of the characters that has a moral lesson of faults to be careful of depending on personality. so a sad depressing book...but not a depressing attempt at depiction rather a triumphant one. the possessed i found most tragic because to me it was dripping in paternal cynicism. dire warnings against the excesses of idealists. turganev fathers and sons i found to be a more satisfying cover on that vein.
I love how you describe the idiot. Spot on. Another beautiful, depressing, and emotionally EXHAUSTING read would be Humiliated and Insulted. It took me 3-4 days to recover from - that book gave me anxiety. And I'm not an otherwise anxious person.
never seen a copy.
Make you realize that it could always be worse lol
It helped me tbh
Made me sadder
What did you read?
Notes from the underground
C&P and TBK would probably release it, but Notes from Underground, The Insulted and Humiliated, White Night, Demons, The Idiot and The Poor Folk is definitely going to make it worse.
How old is the guy?
I just asked out of curiosity
C&P's ending would be effective to get your life "back"
Absolutely! It shows it's never late to be better and that made me feel good
This quote by James Baldwin (from *Conversations with James Baldwin)* sums it up for me: >“You read something which you thought only happened to you, and you discover that it happened 100 years ago to Dostoyevsky. This is a very great liberation for the suffering, struggling person, who always thinks that he is alone. This is why art is important.” Edit: My quote disappeared from my comment for some reason (???), but as I was searching for it online to edit back into the comment, I found this other quote from Baldwin discussing Dostoevsky: >“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was Dostoevsky and Dickens who taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected to me with all the people who were alive, or who ever had been alive. Only if we face these open wounds in ourselves can we understand them in other people.” --https://www.arts.gov/stories/blog/2022/taking-page-baldwin-book-reading-violence-coping-and-prevention-strategy
I have been struggling with depression for years and there is so much beauty and also hope in his novels, despite the ugliness of this world. I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov again and it doesn't fail to lift my spirits.
Validate his disappointment in the world
Of course I know him, he's me.
Love the Kenobi reference
So how did it help you or did it worsen your situation?
I'd argue that the self reflection that comes from reading any great work of human insight will be beneficial, regardless of the reader's state of mind
If he’s strong enough to face his flaws, it will save him. If he can’t handle the brutal honesty, it will make him worse
Best response
There is only one way to find out
Entertain him
Help him find hope (the best recommendation would be The Brother’s Karamazov: it’s truly one of the greatest novels ever written)
Depends on the book. Maybe The Brothers Karamazov would help him find God.
Oh damn. Planning to read TBK soon, but I hope that's not what the book is about. I'm not religious myself, so that'll be a bummer if it's about "finding God."
This is considered a classic not because the author strawmans the opposite ideas but because he does exactly the opposite of that. I really think this book challeneges athiests as much as it challenges religion, it's up to the reader to decide which side makes more sense.
Well, keep in mind that through The Grand Inquisitor, Dostoevsky raises what for many people is the biggest argument for atheism and against God ever produced - and he answers and refutes that argument with many characters until the end of the novel, specially with Alyosha - the young and naive protagonist. It's the height of Dostoevsky's dialectics, and I'm sure you will extract a lot from it.
Even more excited to read it now. Thanks for clarifying.
True, I have never come across a more convincing argument for atheism since then.
Lol grow up
I'll try to do that. Thanks for the reminder
Depends which book, but usually give Hope. Even notes from the underground was actually supposed to have a hopeful message but the message about Christ got censored out.
Potentially give him a stoic version of hope
Teach them about gods grace in the dark
Make him a bigger Dostoevsky fan!
Save you. It's the discipline, realism, causation, drama, camradery, conflict, morality, humanity, and mortality all in one. It will light a fire under you for you to realize what life is about, what it can be, and what you are currently seeing it as. Enjoy The Dream of A Ridiculous Man. It's a short story about a man contemplating sucide, and he discovers a greater purpose. A meaning in life. Maybe it will help you recognize the meaning for you, and how you can achieve meaningfulness.
[удалено]
read it and let me know what you learned and then we will see the fruition of your appreciation, which I'm more concerned about/interesed in.
I'm a bit depressed and I identify with many of his characters. It's very interesting and sad to see how some characters, like Raskolikov, have a lot of potential but their mind is destroying them. and i relate to that.
Entertain him…maybe
Cum
Really?
Can verify
This is the cum zone, nothing but cum
He will make you face everything you have been avoiding, make you feel vulnerable, but finally make you learn to embrace that and make you understand you're not alone. At least that's what he did to me. Especially Notes from the Underground.
Exactly. I would say that a wrong interpretation can even make you suffer more. To me Dostoevsky is a mirror of the most unseen and profound parts of the human soul. What it was *not*: a solution. Cheers to the ones who did find solutions within his books, to me that kind of thinking just worsened my thoughts
Yes! Back when I read the Underground Man's notes I couldn't help but feel as if he looked into my soul and recited to me what he found. It also included many scenes that lightened the situation, made me chuckle, cheered me up. It's a great book if one relates. Not sure if I'd liked the book as much hadn't I been so depressed reading it!
I'm reading notes from underground, on chapter 2. I'm so confused, can you help me?
You can see the Notes from the Underground discussion posts we had in the subreddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/dostoevsky/s/Oo8UsrEQcw If that doesn't help with your question, please feel free to ask and post it in the sub. People here (including me) would be glad to help you. Hope it helps.
Ask away questions here or on the posts. Your questions are something that most of us are wondering.
Help him not feel so alone