Notes from Underground (Vintage Classics)
Award-winning translators Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky give us a brilliantly faithful rendition of this classic novel, in all its tragedy and tormented comedy. In this second edition, they have updated their translation in honor of the 200th anniversary of Dostoevsky’s birth.
One of the most remarkable characters in literature, the unnamed narrator of Dostoevsky's most revolutionary novel is a former official who has defiantly withdrawn into an underground existence. In full retreat from society, he scrawls a passionate, obsessive, self-contradictory narrative that serves as a devastating attack on social utopianism and an assertion of man’s essentially irrational nature.
One of the most remarkable characters in literature, the unnamed narrator of Dostoevsky's most revolutionary novel is a former official who has defiantly withdrawn into an underground existence. In full retreat from society, he scrawls a passionate, obsessive, self-contradictory narrative that serves as a devastating attack on social utopianism and an assertion of man’s essentially irrational nature.
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Community Reviews
I actually quite liked the first section of the book, which was thoroughly surprising. I normally have no time for rambly, disconnected stream-of-consciousness philosophizing, but for some reason this one landed just fine with me. But I hated Part 2—the sections with actual plot & characters. I’m never sure what I’m supposed to be drawn to in a book with a fully despicable main character, especially when he’s also the narrator. There’s just nothing at all to like about this guy; he makes sure to drive that home. OK, so then what? I haven’t yet found any answer to that.
An emotionally provoking read, written with passion and self-loathing, refraining from any self-compassion whatsoever as he continuously points out his own faults and traits seemingly unable to stop himself from using ragged honesty despite multiple attempts at lying. Wrought with shame and indignance and carried out until the bitter end of his tale as if possessed to do so by his own conscience.
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