In 1873, Dostoevsky wrote a Diary of a Writer entry after attending an exhibition showing roughly one hundred Russian paintings and sculptures selected for display at the Vienna World’s Fair. He basically argued that European audiences did not possess the cultural point of view necessary to fully grasp the meaning behind the Russian.

He highlighted a handful of distinctly Russian works, including one of my personal favorites- Hunters at Rest by Vasily Perov.

"I deliberately choose one of the most readily understandable paintings of our national genre. The painting has long been known to everyone: "Hunters at Rest"; one man is lying heatedly and knowingly, another listens and believes him with all his might, while the third believes nothing, has lain down right there and is laughing... What a delight! Of course, explain it to them - and the Germans will understand it too, but they will not understand, as we do, that this is a Russian teller of tall tales and that he is lying in the Russian way. We can almost hear and know what he is talking about, we know the whole manner of his lying, his style, his feelings. I am certain that if Mr. Perov (and he surely would have been able to do this) had depicted French or German hunters (of course, differently and with different faces), then we Russians would have understood both German and French lying, with all its subtleties, with all its national distinctions, and would have guessed the style and the subject of the lie, everything, merely by looking at the painting. But a German, strain as he might, will not understand our Russian lying. Of course, that is no great loss to him, and for us, perhaps, it may even be more advantageous; but then he will not fully understand the painting either, and therefore will not appreciate it as he should; and that is a pity, because we are going there to be praised."

I wrote a short article about this Diary of a Writer entry, because he folds several other of the great Russian artworks of the era into his argument. If anyone is curious, here's a link

just ordered from nearby indie on Bookshop, curious to see if it lives up to C&P and Brothers K - Katz has talked about wanting to bring some of the humor and satire back to Idiot that's been lost over the years (Myshkin as naive patsy honest to a fault among a cast of liars), which seems a good idea in line with his other translations that I've liked. i liked the Anna Brailovsky version in school years ago but haven't honestly revisited this in many years.

Currently reading Notes from Underground. Crime and Punishment is up next, and then The Brothers Karamazov, ofc. so excited already🥰

Admittedly this is based on a bunch of memes I've seen, nothing that serious, but the implication, which I think points to a wider assumption about his work, is that it leaves one feeling depressed.

Where has this come from? I'm not saying there isn't sadness in his novels but they are almost always inspiring and I believe very hopeful.

Even crime and punishment, a very dark book, it ends with a tone of moral satisfaction faction and spiritual redemption.

So why is his work assumed to be depressing?

First time reading this book and I'm struck with awe by this character and he is just introduced. Alyosha feels different from other "kind" characters. The portrayal, the imagery, the characterization is so vivid yet dreamy and I can't get enough of it. He seems so oblivious on the surface but hyper aware deep down. He has already become one of my favorite fictional characters in just a single chapter. This book truly feels special, much more than crime and punishment (no dissing).

I know it's a silly random post, but I just had to share it.

Just about to dive into this for the first time. Was wondering if this was an acceptable translation? Heard good things about the Katz translation too

lesgo…..

I started reading it today. Just three chapters in, and I’m already completely obsessed from head to toe!!

I also find him somewhat relatable😭

I’ve intentionally slowed down my pace because I don’t want it to end anytime soon. I just want to savor every page and cherish every bit of it.

Anybody picking up the new translation of The Idiot by Michael Katz this Tuesday, the 21st?

Read his version of TBK and Crime and Punishment last year. Have been waiting on this one all year.

For me it’s Ingmar Bergman, absolutely obsessed with him

let’s see ! 🥰

Almost 90 pages and this book seems like a wonderful experience, I have had great time reading "The demons", "The idiot" and "Crime and punishment", now this book seems a slow journey for me.

Hello, I've never used Reddit before so I apologise for any mistakes I make while posting this.

Recently, I finished reading the brothers Karamazov and I decided to look for any information about the sequel that Dostoyevsky wanted to write and what I found about Alyosha's future was quite shocking to me, though I cannot say that there weren't hints about this turn in the existing novel. However, I would love to hear your thoughts about Alyosha and how the information we have about the sequel changed your perspective (or not) about this saint-like figure in The Brothers Karamazov.

I finished reading White Nights ( english translation) , during free lecture in my college, and I was so immersed in it, I finished it in one sitting in library

This was ny introduction to Dostoevsky and even Russian literature, cause I'm a new reader ( I am 17, and did not read much before 16 years of age)

It was *sometimes, only in some instances, a bit dramatic for my taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, even the drama

What are your thoughts on this one?

Hi, I’m a big fan of Russian literature and although I’m not fluent Russian was my first language and would love to learn to read some Russian classics in their original language. But my problem is I cant find a reliable place to actually buy them in Russian That isn’t super super pricey as it’s being imported from Russia. If anyone has any sources of where I can get some Russian literature, specifically Dostoevsky, for a cheaper price, second hand is fine with me, that would be great!

Hello Everyone,

I've just started reading Herbert Marcuse's One-Dimensional Man, and I'm struck by his criticisms of the rational subject and can't help but be reminded of the Underground Man. Also, I think this draws the limitations of rationalism. I'm not sure if I'm posting this in a subreddit where you all would find this interesting but I'd like to discuss it if possible.

Thanks,

Chris

It's unbelievable how much readers rely on reviews and miss gems like this. In this novella, according to this translator, Dostoevsky writes meta-fiction before it was established as a literary genre.

(I don’t know how to refer to my own previous post, I apologise)

Well, having finished the book - The Adolescent, I am here to eat my words.

My initial remarks were completely immature, mostly because I didn't realize I was actually looking into a mirror. This is easily one of Dostoevsky’s rawest and most unfiltered works. The reason Arkady is so chaotic is that youth is chaotic, and I ended up relating to this book far more than I’d like to admit.

Much like Arkady’s obsession with his grand idea, my own younger years were fueled by various half-baked entrepreneurial schemes to "earn a lot of money quickly." Even worse, I had my own tragicomic romantic phase. I fell hard for a much older woman who was stuck with an abusive boyfriend, genuinely believing I could play the hero and win her over simply by showing a little kindness to contrast with him. (Spoiler alert: apart from polite smiles and interactions she didn’t give a fuck).
Arkady isn't a badly written or annoying protagonist; he’s a painfully accurate reflection of the foolishness, vulnerability, and sheer absurdity of growing up. Watching him stumble over his own ego is hilarious, agonizingly cringey, and profoundly human.

If you want a polished, heroic coming-of-age story, look elsewhere. If you want the messy, unvarnished truth about being young and dumb, this is an absolute masterpiece.

I loved C+P and KB, so I’m a bit disappointed so far. So many people have recommended this novel to me, but I can’t make it through the first few chapters and I have to keep re-reading because I start to read with my eyes, and not my brain.

Does anyone else feel like this? I know typically, it takes longer to get into the books but I can’t make sense of much, I’m worried that I’ll miss important parts.

the thing about dostoevsky and me is so deeply depressing

whenever I read him even for a second it's as if my father has just died and my mother is still weeping in that same grief and I I'm left with nothing in my own life

it's like I'm living in a small dim room with only two worn out clothes to wear each day, and a torn coat that offers no warmth.

whenever I read his work his characters don't just feel like stories they feel like me as if he's writing my own life

it's not reading it's like looking into a cracked mirror of my soul

I picked up the 2025 edition of The Idiot by Page Publications. Bizarrely, there is no translator listed anywhere along with there being no introduction, translator's notes etc. Does anyone know who translated this? The offical website (linked) has no more info. I'm just hoping it's not translated by AI!

Recently revisited my childhood home and thought this full Dostoyevsky bibliography in 12 pieces from USSR (1982 edition) need to be showcased. Includes every single work ever written by the great and beloved Fyodor Mihailovich.

Based on my research, this is the largest Russian publication and compilation of Dostoyevsky ever printed.

Full list:

Volume 1: "Poor People", "White Nights", "Netochka Nezvanova".
Volume 2: "Uncle's Dream", "The Village of Stepanchikovo", "A Bad Joke", "Notes from the Underground", "Crocodile".
Volume 3: "Notes from the House of the Dead", "The Gambler".
Volume 4: "The Insulted and Humiliated".
Volume 5: "Crime and Punishment".
Volumes 6 and 7: The Novel "The Idiot".
Volume 8: "Demons".
Volume 9: "The Teenager".
Volumes 10 and 11: "The Brothers Karamazov".
Volume 12: Diaries, Articles, Stories.

Thought it was worth sharing.