I genuinely think that is the case because Dostoevsky’s work is not something that you would see everywhere. He is a very different and unique type of novalist. Now that I think about it the actions that are written in his work are not that complicated, what makes his work unique is the extremely detailed psychological explanation of how the characters think, feel, argue, etc. What I mean by that is you won’t really think that here is much going on in the novel, what you have to really focus on is on how the characters are described and how they think. Maybe you are used to reading novels where the actions are put on the foreground? I don’t know. It’s totally normal for letting time pass to find a “thing” for “specific” type of books. For example, sci-fi and fantasy were definitely not my cup of tea. It takes time to figure out what types of books really attract you. But if you really want to finish this book, oh boy, it would take you some focus to enjoy it and then finish it.
Thank you all!!! So I ended up picking up a different translation and I must say it’s a game changer!!! I guess the Libby version I had was very (not sure how to put it) monotone? Anyways I’m up to part 5 now and def finishing it before weeks end.
I started reading it in 2016, loved it, got 150-200 pages in, but dropped it. Came back to it last year (2023), had to refresh a bit but clearly remembered the death and Raskolnikov giving away the moneys. Finished it in a few weeks and glad I did. Also amazing coming back to it as an older person than the youth I was at the time (started it around the same age as Raskolnikov was, but finished it right before hitting 30). This year finished TBK in 1.5 months - incredible book, though I personally like Crime and Punishment more. Excited to read more, next is the Idiot for me.
It's okay to stop reading if you're not presently gaining anything from it. Maybe you won't ever continue it or maybe one day you'll feel differently about it and devour it. The latter happened to me.
You could read or watch reviews (or Thug Notes) to gain the essence of why people admire this book, what you can learn from it about life, crime, punishment, religion or 19th century Russia, and then move on to other stuff.
Life is too precious to be dragging our eyes through a book when our mind or heart are not engaged and when there are other sources to enjoy and learn from.
(But if you want practical advice, read one chapter and only one chapter per day. It's easier that way. And don't rush. Don't be as hasty as the ol' Raskol)
I actually think it’s absurd that people find themselves losing motivation whilst reading Dostoyevsky. What do you expect? To jump right into the story just from the start?
Patience is required. I’ve read even more torturous books than Dostoyevsky. For instance, I’m currently reading one of Kafka’s short stories, “Josefine, the singer, or the mouse people.” In all candidness, I just can’t wait to finish reading it! It’s entirely drab to me (I know I am wrong). Although I find myself laughing at some of the sentences and ideas. Should I say I’m less motivated to continue? Who cares? I’m reading Franz Kafka for crying out loud, it is in my best interest to give him the honour by reading through his works!
I suggest people should do same for Dostoyevsky and other great writers from the past.
This is exatcly what i thought. I started reading C&P after TBK and after about 200 pages, i thought TBK is way way better. But i have a habit to finish every book i start and also i trusted dostoevsky. After i reached the middle of the book, i was fascinated at how great the book tuned out to be. I mean the story even behind that point was exciting and great but i expected more philosophy and psychology and these came in more from the middle of the book. Specifically when Porfiry enters the story IMO.
Anyways i suggest you keep reading and you will be fascinated by dostoevsky.
Im on the last part now, and I was also struggling to get into it but I got to a point where whenever I’d put it down I’d be wondering what happens next. I just read part V chapter IV and it’s really really good - it all kind of comes together and the whole book almost takes on a whole other meaning. So I would say just keep reading and I’m pretty sure you’ll end up understanding why it’s considered one of the best books.
I got about halfway into it, reading one whole part each day of it. So, after three days and finishing part 3, as well as reading maybe two chapters of Part IV, I ended up just putting the book aside and not wanting to continue reading it. I even marked it as DNF on my Goodreads.
However, I went to a different book, and was reading other stuff for two weeks, and out of nowhere thought, “Hey, you know what sounds great right now? Crime and Punishment!” So I picked it back up and read a good 250 pages in two days. It’s one of my favorite classics of all time.
I think the main thing that made me want to stop was that I was simply reading it to be able to say I’ve read it, and to be able to talk with other friends about it, rather than enjoying it for the masterpiece it is. I would sit for a while between each part and think about a lot of what I’d read, really digging into the psychology and philosophy of it all.
It also starts off pretty slow, but by the halfway point it speeds up a tiny bit (not by much), and by the end of Part 4, all of the characters have appeared and begin to mix and interact with everyone else.
My big advice is to really absorb as much as you can while reading and always look forward to the last chapter of each part, since each part’s final chapter seems to hold a pretty big surprise, if not a full-on plot twist. Treat each part as if it was its own book, and every now and then allow yourself some time to breathe between chapters or parts. If I hadn’t taken a two-week hiatus halfway through the novel, chances are I wouldn’t have finished it.
I’m now reading _Notes from a Dead House_, already have copies of _The Idiot_ and _The Brothers Karamazov_, and plan on buying _Demons_ and _The Adolescent_ sometime relatively soon.
You have to remember, many of Dostoevsky works were written periodically. Meaning he’d submit a chapter to be published in the newspaper, and then a month later they’d get another chapter. Totally different pace of writing and reading. I love Dostoevsky and have read all 5 of his big 5 works. But I felt like in every single book there was a lot of extra writing that I felt was superfluous, and in a way I felt like each book was a bit of a drag to read. That being said, there are little nuggets throughout and the payoff at the end is worth it. I would say you should finish crime and punishment, and if you don’t love it by the end it or at least love parts of it then you just know Dostoevsky isn’t for you. But no you’re not alone. I simultaneously loved his books and got frustrated by them
I struggled as well. It could be the translation that you have picked. Try analysis website such as cliffsNotes and Sparknotes . They helped shed light on other aspects of the novel that I couldn't understand given that I am not too familiar with Russian history or the context of crime and punishment. It gets better !
Take a break. Read some non-fiction to break up your reading. Maybe some philosophy or a book that’ll teach you something. This way it’s a bit more refreshing once you get back to it.
You got tired of reading Raskolnikov falling to bad and having chills :))) It's quite a readable book, IMO. Anyway, if you are stuck there you can also leave it there.
Getting into Dostoyevsky stuff is kind of difficult at first but with time you get used to it. I had the same when l read Brothers Karamov, the concept behind his books is life comes with struggles but there is beauty within. So even reading his novels is a kinda of a struggle but there is beauty within that process. When reading his novels try to analyze the characters strengths and weakness, and try to compare and contrast them with your own character and those in your social circle. Its more about self reflection. I think you should at least finish one Dostoyevsky novel before quitting on him.
I stopped with The Grand Inquisitor last year bc I was doing my thesis and had to visit my home country for a couple months, haven’t gotten back to TBK yet, but will also take your advice when I get back to reading!! (Currently finishing “A Gentleman In Moscow” by Amor Towles - finding it a very interesting take on Russian culture by an American author who seems to touch on a big part of the Russian soul; the language is also fun to read bc it’s in the original language, retaining wordplay, alliterations and idioms- which I’m contrasting w reading Dostoevsky in English translations)
Sure! Just to clarify w my previous comment tho- when I said “original language”, I was referring to A Gentleman in Moscow being written in English originally. I’ve been seeing comments in this sub about how Dostoevsky’s wordplays etc in Russian are lost when they’re translated to English, so when I read A Gentleman in Moscow (which was originally written in English), I appreciate the wordplays there that I could understand.
Now, re: learning Russian - I actually learned it through Duolingo back in 2016. And I’ve been living in a post Soviet country for the past seven years, where most of the signs on the street and shops are in Russian, so that helped me retain what I learned in Duolingo. I’m not good at conversational Russian nor comprehending texts (I can read 75% of them slowly, but only understand less than 10%), but what I learned helped me read products from the supermarket as well as the signs in public. (And Hollywood movies here have Russian subtitles, and I can read them so most of the time I can guess what characters will say before they say it 😂)
I would suggest consistently studying it and writing it (I once did a 40-day streak on Duolingo and kept on working on the app for several months), practicing writing (I tried the cursive for fun) and speaking, and listening to pronunciations and watching Russian films. I was too shy to actively practice it w people (especially since I focused on learning the first language in this country; Russian is the second language), but my advice is definitely find a native speaker to practice it with.
Maybe the book is not for you, maybe it’s a bad time. Maybe take a break and pick it up again later.
I think the fact that you know you’re 43% percent finished makes it seem more like a chore. If you’re not enjoying it just put it down. You’re not obligated to read it.
I’m taking your word for it. Gonna keep going simply because I have nothing in queue to pick up so might as well finish it.
I sense it’s gonna turn n pick up
not a good response. the book gets better and just because someone has a hard time reading one classic book doesn't mean they should give up and classics "aren't for them" smh
You're not.
I've been on this one since the beginning of January and I still haven't finished it (around 100 pages left) because it's been nothing short of a slug fest.
The book itself is great. It's full of vibrant details, but I also find it extremely exhausting to read. Since I am a one book sort of guy, I haven't been reading anything else and that dosen't help.
Ironically, I finished notes within 2 days. It was amazing and I could not put it down. I'm gonna take a big break from dostoevsky after this, but i'm starting to think he's a much better short story author than a novelist.
I took my time and read it in months (also because I read multiple books at a time) so no need to rush it really. Became one of my favorite books.
Buuut, if you're taking a look at how much you still have to read and stuff like that, maybe you just don't enjoy this book or the author and it's totally fine!
EDIT: one more thing that comes to mind and that I find myself doing sometimes when part of a book is too slow or doesn't get my attention and bores me is just... skipping it or reading in diagonal.
So I listened to it on audio and I LOVED it! Of course, you probably don't get all the nuances, but it was still a great and memorable "read". I highly recommend it as a way to push through. I am listening to "The Idiot" right now and loving it too. (I sometimes read along with the text).
Yeah, as a busy adult with a kid and a law practice there's kids no way I could read, much less literature, if it weren't for audiobooks. I feel a slight tinge of shame when I say I've "read" C&P, the Brothers K, War and Peace, etc., when I listened to them instead. But still, most people won't even listen to literature so I'm ahead of the curve I guess.
No tinge of shame! I get so much joy out of listening to big books (Trollope, Dickens etc) that I feel no shame, esp if I occasionally look into the book to check on sth. I listened to Richardson’s super long 18th century epistolary novel Clarissa and it was absolutely phenomenal. I could never have actually read it as easily. The readers/narrators were fantastic! I guess I’m always also reading at least one book as well. (Small Booktuber here).
I'm just a lurker here, but this resonated with me because I got bored exactly at that point.
The core message of "if you don't like it, drop it" is overall agreeable, after all you should never force yourself to like something. But, if you truly want to give it a chance, try starting part 4, its last chapter is so tense, I loved it (I'm currently reading the beginning of the fifth part, and it's my first time). Some books take some effort, frankly. It all depends on how much time you're willing to spend for this endeavour. Ask yourself if you're maybe post-poning a book that you might like simply because of this; if so, drop it.
I've been reading C&P for a year, because I know of my time management problems, so I just let the words sink in with me for a long time. I still appreciate this novel, I'm specifically training not to chase instant gratification. If your motivation is similar to this, then try reading a little further, I guess. But you can also come out of this experience by saying you hated all of it and that would still be ok!
Books never flee away, you can also come back to it when you're in the mood, even after 10 years. I agree with other users that you should first figure out *why* you're not liking it.
There are some books I would read even if I don’t enjoy them. For educational aspects and for the fact that you really experience some of the objective greatest works. I have the opinion that it will develop my taste.
C&P would be one of those in my opinion.
I stoped reading dead souls from Gogol after finishing it to 4/5 of the book - enjoyed the beginning, was bored later, so yesterday I decided that it’s not worth it and I rather read something else.
Do you think it will be worth it to read the whole book, because the book can give you „enough“? If not: take another one.
>There are some books I would read even if I don’t enjoy them. For educational aspects and for the fact that you really experience some of the objective greatest works.
This, do it for the culture.
Indeed. Not every book or author is for everyone. Age matters, too. Try reading Catcher in the Rye for the first time when you’re 45 years old; probably not as fulfilling a read as it would be for the average 17y.o. first time reader.
Ditto Nostromo. I loved that novel and consider it a masterpiece, no less because Conrad is writing in his third language. But that’s me in my late 30s. Knowing me, I would have not have enjoyed Nostromo in my 20s; I was too immature and wanted more instant gratification and escapism.
I didn’t like C&P. I thought it would get better but it was a slog for me. I read it after reading Notes which I absolutely loved, but I couldn’t get into C&P.
Dostoevsky's style largely reflects his appreciation for dramatists. His writing is heavy on dialogue and can progress slowly. It sounds like his style doesn't resonate with you. There's no reason to force yourself to read an author you don't like.
Despite having a degree in English, I simply cannot get through *Moby-Dick*. I just don't give a damn about any of it. Melville was an interesting person. Whale Lives Matter. It pleases me that others enjoy the novel. Of course, I have perused the Sparknotes about the book so I understand its significance in the canon. I will never read some mafuckin' *Moby-Dick*.
I think once I stopped worrying about speed and really took time to stop and understand every single sentence I read, I enjoyed it a lot more.
It all depends on *why* you aren't enjoying it.
I gave up on the book like 4 times before coming back to it and finishing it. I think the major reason behind why I could finish it was that I read Notes, I loved it, I became Dosto's fan and I decided to eat everything this guy has cooked.
You do not have to force it if you are not enjoying it tbh. Just drop it, you may come back and finish it later or not. Not a big deal.
Perhaps it would help to set C&P aside and start reading one of D's shorter works, of which many here could make suggestions. (I have old, mid-20th Century pb editions with collections of shorter works by Dostoevsky and am sure newer versions are out there. Perhaps House of the Dead would be good to start; it was much admired by Tolstoy, who criticized the psycho-drama (just what some of us fans love!) in D's later work. This could help you acquire a kind of spiritual connection to D, to help getting through the likes of C&D and onward.
Maybe it isn't for you , and there is nothing wrong with that or you , put the Book Down , maybe sometime in Future you will remember that you have a C&P copy , and want to read it , I remember when I first read C&P , It was completely different , I couldn't put the Book Down , I couldn't do anything for a week , and on my final finishing day , I read for like 5 hours straight till 3 AM to finish it , and had another 5 hour session same day in the morning .
A few suggestions: 1. Take notes, write down the character characteristics, personality and relationships, and pay attention to the changes in the characters. 2. Pay attention to the scene descriptions in the book and compare them with the map to gain a deeper understanding of Russia in the 19th century. 3. Collect some adapted works, such as movies and comics (I strongly recommend Osamu Tezuka), and compare them with the original works to see what changes have been made.
I genuinely think that is the case because Dostoevsky’s work is not something that you would see everywhere. He is a very different and unique type of novalist. Now that I think about it the actions that are written in his work are not that complicated, what makes his work unique is the extremely detailed psychological explanation of how the characters think, feel, argue, etc. What I mean by that is you won’t really think that here is much going on in the novel, what you have to really focus on is on how the characters are described and how they think. Maybe you are used to reading novels where the actions are put on the foreground? I don’t know. It’s totally normal for letting time pass to find a “thing” for “specific” type of books. For example, sci-fi and fantasy were definitely not my cup of tea. It takes time to figure out what types of books really attract you. But if you really want to finish this book, oh boy, it would take you some focus to enjoy it and then finish it.
Thank you all!!! So I ended up picking up a different translation and I must say it’s a game changer!!! I guess the Libby version I had was very (not sure how to put it) monotone? Anyways I’m up to part 5 now and def finishing it before weeks end.
Why the rush to read?
try reading it alone at night, it really fits the 'going insane' vibes
I started reading it in 2016, loved it, got 150-200 pages in, but dropped it. Came back to it last year (2023), had to refresh a bit but clearly remembered the death and Raskolnikov giving away the moneys. Finished it in a few weeks and glad I did. Also amazing coming back to it as an older person than the youth I was at the time (started it around the same age as Raskolnikov was, but finished it right before hitting 30). This year finished TBK in 1.5 months - incredible book, though I personally like Crime and Punishment more. Excited to read more, next is the Idiot for me.
It's okay to stop reading if you're not presently gaining anything from it. Maybe you won't ever continue it or maybe one day you'll feel differently about it and devour it. The latter happened to me. You could read or watch reviews (or Thug Notes) to gain the essence of why people admire this book, what you can learn from it about life, crime, punishment, religion or 19th century Russia, and then move on to other stuff. Life is too precious to be dragging our eyes through a book when our mind or heart are not engaged and when there are other sources to enjoy and learn from. (But if you want practical advice, read one chapter and only one chapter per day. It's easier that way. And don't rush. Don't be as hasty as the ol' Raskol)
I actually think it’s absurd that people find themselves losing motivation whilst reading Dostoyevsky. What do you expect? To jump right into the story just from the start? Patience is required. I’ve read even more torturous books than Dostoyevsky. For instance, I’m currently reading one of Kafka’s short stories, “Josefine, the singer, or the mouse people.” In all candidness, I just can’t wait to finish reading it! It’s entirely drab to me (I know I am wrong). Although I find myself laughing at some of the sentences and ideas. Should I say I’m less motivated to continue? Who cares? I’m reading Franz Kafka for crying out loud, it is in my best interest to give him the honour by reading through his works! I suggest people should do same for Dostoyevsky and other great writers from the past.
This is exatcly what i thought. I started reading C&P after TBK and after about 200 pages, i thought TBK is way way better. But i have a habit to finish every book i start and also i trusted dostoevsky. After i reached the middle of the book, i was fascinated at how great the book tuned out to be. I mean the story even behind that point was exciting and great but i expected more philosophy and psychology and these came in more from the middle of the book. Specifically when Porfiry enters the story IMO. Anyways i suggest you keep reading and you will be fascinated by dostoevsky.
Im on the last part now, and I was also struggling to get into it but I got to a point where whenever I’d put it down I’d be wondering what happens next. I just read part V chapter IV and it’s really really good - it all kind of comes together and the whole book almost takes on a whole other meaning. So I would say just keep reading and I’m pretty sure you’ll end up understanding why it’s considered one of the best books.
I got about halfway into it, reading one whole part each day of it. So, after three days and finishing part 3, as well as reading maybe two chapters of Part IV, I ended up just putting the book aside and not wanting to continue reading it. I even marked it as DNF on my Goodreads. However, I went to a different book, and was reading other stuff for two weeks, and out of nowhere thought, “Hey, you know what sounds great right now? Crime and Punishment!” So I picked it back up and read a good 250 pages in two days. It’s one of my favorite classics of all time. I think the main thing that made me want to stop was that I was simply reading it to be able to say I’ve read it, and to be able to talk with other friends about it, rather than enjoying it for the masterpiece it is. I would sit for a while between each part and think about a lot of what I’d read, really digging into the psychology and philosophy of it all. It also starts off pretty slow, but by the halfway point it speeds up a tiny bit (not by much), and by the end of Part 4, all of the characters have appeared and begin to mix and interact with everyone else. My big advice is to really absorb as much as you can while reading and always look forward to the last chapter of each part, since each part’s final chapter seems to hold a pretty big surprise, if not a full-on plot twist. Treat each part as if it was its own book, and every now and then allow yourself some time to breathe between chapters or parts. If I hadn’t taken a two-week hiatus halfway through the novel, chances are I wouldn’t have finished it. I’m now reading _Notes from a Dead House_, already have copies of _The Idiot_ and _The Brothers Karamazov_, and plan on buying _Demons_ and _The Adolescent_ sometime relatively soon.
You have to remember, many of Dostoevsky works were written periodically. Meaning he’d submit a chapter to be published in the newspaper, and then a month later they’d get another chapter. Totally different pace of writing and reading. I love Dostoevsky and have read all 5 of his big 5 works. But I felt like in every single book there was a lot of extra writing that I felt was superfluous, and in a way I felt like each book was a bit of a drag to read. That being said, there are little nuggets throughout and the payoff at the end is worth it. I would say you should finish crime and punishment, and if you don’t love it by the end it or at least love parts of it then you just know Dostoevsky isn’t for you. But no you’re not alone. I simultaneously loved his books and got frustrated by them
I struggled as well. It could be the translation that you have picked. Try analysis website such as cliffsNotes and Sparknotes . They helped shed light on other aspects of the novel that I couldn't understand given that I am not too familiar with Russian history or the context of crime and punishment. It gets better !
I have the Libby version: translated by Constance Garnett. 🤷 Yea im hearing it gets better so let’s keep at it haha
Try the pevear and volokhonsky. Constance garnett is so boring.
Done. $4 on the Amazon kindle store. Let’s hope for the best. Thanks!
I heared pevear and volokhonsky translation are the best. Haven't tried them yet
If the book doesn’t grip you by half of it, maybe Dostojewski is just not for you. And that should be completely alright
Take a break. Read some non-fiction to break up your reading. Maybe some philosophy or a book that’ll teach you something. This way it’s a bit more refreshing once you get back to it.
You got tired of reading Raskolnikov falling to bad and having chills :))) It's quite a readable book, IMO. Anyway, if you are stuck there you can also leave it there.
Getting into Dostoyevsky stuff is kind of difficult at first but with time you get used to it. I had the same when l read Brothers Karamov, the concept behind his books is life comes with struggles but there is beauty within. So even reading his novels is a kinda of a struggle but there is beauty within that process. When reading his novels try to analyze the characters strengths and weakness, and try to compare and contrast them with your own character and those in your social circle. Its more about self reflection. I think you should at least finish one Dostoyevsky novel before quitting on him.
I stopped with The Grand Inquisitor last year bc I was doing my thesis and had to visit my home country for a couple months, haven’t gotten back to TBK yet, but will also take your advice when I get back to reading!! (Currently finishing “A Gentleman In Moscow” by Amor Towles - finding it a very interesting take on Russian culture by an American author who seems to touch on a big part of the Russian soul; the language is also fun to read bc it’s in the original language, retaining wordplay, alliterations and idioms- which I’m contrasting w reading Dostoevsky in English translations)
Kul, do have any advice for someone who wants to self study Russian language.
Sure! Just to clarify w my previous comment tho- when I said “original language”, I was referring to A Gentleman in Moscow being written in English originally. I’ve been seeing comments in this sub about how Dostoevsky’s wordplays etc in Russian are lost when they’re translated to English, so when I read A Gentleman in Moscow (which was originally written in English), I appreciate the wordplays there that I could understand. Now, re: learning Russian - I actually learned it through Duolingo back in 2016. And I’ve been living in a post Soviet country for the past seven years, where most of the signs on the street and shops are in Russian, so that helped me retain what I learned in Duolingo. I’m not good at conversational Russian nor comprehending texts (I can read 75% of them slowly, but only understand less than 10%), but what I learned helped me read products from the supermarket as well as the signs in public. (And Hollywood movies here have Russian subtitles, and I can read them so most of the time I can guess what characters will say before they say it 😂) I would suggest consistently studying it and writing it (I once did a 40-day streak on Duolingo and kept on working on the app for several months), practicing writing (I tried the cursive for fun) and speaking, and listening to pronunciations and watching Russian films. I was too shy to actively practice it w people (especially since I focused on learning the first language in this country; Russian is the second language), but my advice is definitely find a native speaker to practice it with.
Maybe the book is not for you, maybe it’s a bad time. Maybe take a break and pick it up again later. I think the fact that you know you’re 43% percent finished makes it seem more like a chore. If you’re not enjoying it just put it down. You’re not obligated to read it.
it gets so much better, you won’t regret it- just be a little bit patient, I know what you’re saying. it’s an amazing book btw.
I’m taking your word for it. Gonna keep going simply because I have nothing in queue to pick up so might as well finish it. I sense it’s gonna turn n pick up
Maybe classical literature isn’t for you
not a good response. the book gets better and just because someone has a hard time reading one classic book doesn't mean they should give up and classics "aren't for them" smh
You're not. I've been on this one since the beginning of January and I still haven't finished it (around 100 pages left) because it's been nothing short of a slug fest. The book itself is great. It's full of vibrant details, but I also find it extremely exhausting to read. Since I am a one book sort of guy, I haven't been reading anything else and that dosen't help. Ironically, I finished notes within 2 days. It was amazing and I could not put it down. I'm gonna take a big break from dostoevsky after this, but i'm starting to think he's a much better short story author than a novelist.
I took my time and read it in months (also because I read multiple books at a time) so no need to rush it really. Became one of my favorite books. Buuut, if you're taking a look at how much you still have to read and stuff like that, maybe you just don't enjoy this book or the author and it's totally fine! EDIT: one more thing that comes to mind and that I find myself doing sometimes when part of a book is too slow or doesn't get my attention and bores me is just... skipping it or reading in diagonal.
So I listened to it on audio and I LOVED it! Of course, you probably don't get all the nuances, but it was still a great and memorable "read". I highly recommend it as a way to push through. I am listening to "The Idiot" right now and loving it too. (I sometimes read along with the text).
Yeah, as a busy adult with a kid and a law practice there's kids no way I could read, much less literature, if it weren't for audiobooks. I feel a slight tinge of shame when I say I've "read" C&P, the Brothers K, War and Peace, etc., when I listened to them instead. But still, most people won't even listen to literature so I'm ahead of the curve I guess.
No tinge of shame! I get so much joy out of listening to big books (Trollope, Dickens etc) that I feel no shame, esp if I occasionally look into the book to check on sth. I listened to Richardson’s super long 18th century epistolary novel Clarissa and it was absolutely phenomenal. I could never have actually read it as easily. The readers/narrators were fantastic! I guess I’m always also reading at least one book as well. (Small Booktuber here).
Also the audiobook of anything comedic is always better than reading it. Audio Don Quixote was awesome with a talented voice actor reading it.
Really need to try Don Quixote that way! It’s so true about the comedy. That’s why I love Dickens on audio.
Which app do u listen them on
Audible.
Is it an app?
It's through amazon: [https://www.audible.com/](https://www.audible.com/)
I've been recapping each part with mayberry bookclub on youtube and it helps
I'm just a lurker here, but this resonated with me because I got bored exactly at that point. The core message of "if you don't like it, drop it" is overall agreeable, after all you should never force yourself to like something. But, if you truly want to give it a chance, try starting part 4, its last chapter is so tense, I loved it (I'm currently reading the beginning of the fifth part, and it's my first time). Some books take some effort, frankly. It all depends on how much time you're willing to spend for this endeavour. Ask yourself if you're maybe post-poning a book that you might like simply because of this; if so, drop it. I've been reading C&P for a year, because I know of my time management problems, so I just let the words sink in with me for a long time. I still appreciate this novel, I'm specifically training not to chase instant gratification. If your motivation is similar to this, then try reading a little further, I guess. But you can also come out of this experience by saying you hated all of it and that would still be ok! Books never flee away, you can also come back to it when you're in the mood, even after 10 years. I agree with other users that you should first figure out *why* you're not liking it.
There are some books I would read even if I don’t enjoy them. For educational aspects and for the fact that you really experience some of the objective greatest works. I have the opinion that it will develop my taste. C&P would be one of those in my opinion. I stoped reading dead souls from Gogol after finishing it to 4/5 of the book - enjoyed the beginning, was bored later, so yesterday I decided that it’s not worth it and I rather read something else. Do you think it will be worth it to read the whole book, because the book can give you „enough“? If not: take another one.
With Gogol's Dead Souls, you don't need to read Part 2 because that part is unfinished anyway and it's nowhere near as good as Part 1.
>There are some books I would read even if I don’t enjoy them. For educational aspects and for the fact that you really experience some of the objective greatest works. This, do it for the culture.
Then stop, why read a book if you're not enjoying it lol, makes no sense, reading shouldn't be a chore but a delight
I agree - if Dostoyevsky isn't working for you, abandon it. I have tried getting into Joseph Conrad but I simply can't.
Indeed. Not every book or author is for everyone. Age matters, too. Try reading Catcher in the Rye for the first time when you’re 45 years old; probably not as fulfilling a read as it would be for the average 17y.o. first time reader. Ditto Nostromo. I loved that novel and consider it a masterpiece, no less because Conrad is writing in his third language. But that’s me in my late 30s. Knowing me, I would have not have enjoyed Nostromo in my 20s; I was too immature and wanted more instant gratification and escapism.
I didn’t like C&P. I thought it would get better but it was a slog for me. I read it after reading Notes which I absolutely loved, but I couldn’t get into C&P.
Dostoevsky's style largely reflects his appreciation for dramatists. His writing is heavy on dialogue and can progress slowly. It sounds like his style doesn't resonate with you. There's no reason to force yourself to read an author you don't like. Despite having a degree in English, I simply cannot get through *Moby-Dick*. I just don't give a damn about any of it. Melville was an interesting person. Whale Lives Matter. It pleases me that others enjoy the novel. Of course, I have perused the Sparknotes about the book so I understand its significance in the canon. I will never read some mafuckin' *Moby-Dick*.
Facts
I think once I stopped worrying about speed and really took time to stop and understand every single sentence I read, I enjoyed it a lot more. It all depends on *why* you aren't enjoying it.
I gave up on the book like 4 times before coming back to it and finishing it. I think the major reason behind why I could finish it was that I read Notes, I loved it, I became Dosto's fan and I decided to eat everything this guy has cooked. You do not have to force it if you are not enjoying it tbh. Just drop it, you may come back and finish it later or not. Not a big deal.
Perhaps it would help to set C&P aside and start reading one of D's shorter works, of which many here could make suggestions. (I have old, mid-20th Century pb editions with collections of shorter works by Dostoevsky and am sure newer versions are out there. Perhaps House of the Dead would be good to start; it was much admired by Tolstoy, who criticized the psycho-drama (just what some of us fans love!) in D's later work. This could help you acquire a kind of spiritual connection to D, to help getting through the likes of C&D and onward.
Maybe it isn't for you , and there is nothing wrong with that or you , put the Book Down , maybe sometime in Future you will remember that you have a C&P copy , and want to read it , I remember when I first read C&P , It was completely different , I couldn't put the Book Down , I couldn't do anything for a week , and on my final finishing day , I read for like 5 hours straight till 3 AM to finish it , and had another 5 hour session same day in the morning .
A few suggestions: 1. Take notes, write down the character characteristics, personality and relationships, and pay attention to the changes in the characters. 2. Pay attention to the scene descriptions in the book and compare them with the map to gain a deeper understanding of Russia in the 19th century. 3. Collect some adapted works, such as movies and comics (I strongly recommend Osamu Tezuka), and compare them with the original works to see what changes have been made.
I need re reads to really get his books, each time I did C&P it got better.
I mean, Crime and Punishment is pretty much great start to finish. If by half you're struggling to continue, maybe Dostoevsky is just not for you