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Darwin8u's Reviews > Demons
Demons
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“Full freedom will come only when it makes no difference whether to live or not to live. That’s the goal for everyone.�
� Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Demons
[Review in limbo]
I loved the Devil(s) out of the Possessed
How the Hell do I adequately review this? Once someone hits a certain genius with writing (or other forms of art), it is impossible to really grade their art. How could one grade Beethoven's great symphonies? Is Demons/Devils/the Possessed better than Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot? Tell me, do you prefer Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?
Dostoyevsky is writing the gospels man*. Greatness is not a bolus of achievement or a gout of acclaim. It just is. Each of Dostoyevsky's big novels is a piece that is both infinitely frustrating and beautifully perfect at the same time. There was probably more to love (for me) in Brothers Karamazov, but it didn't flow as easily as Demons, but still gah, still I think I love Demons more. No, Brothers K. No. Gah!
Desert Island book? Forced to pick? To HELL with you. I'm taking both or trade my food of foot or future for the second book. IT IS that good.
Demons is what you get when you mix a writer who is a philosopher on par with the thinking greats + a writer who is a psychologist on par with the behavioral greats + a writer who is a preacher on par with the moral greats. Oh, and you better make damn sure this writer is hypergraphic.
OK. I'm going to have to calm down. Let this review stew and seep. Think some. Sip some, and return and revise. This (this review) captures some of the energy I felt closing this book, but doesn't even come close to demanding from me what this book and the Man deserve.
* Yes, I kept thinking vaguely of the Big Lebowski as I read this.
� Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Demons
[Review in limbo]
I loved the Devil(s) out of the Possessed
How the Hell do I adequately review this? Once someone hits a certain genius with writing (or other forms of art), it is impossible to really grade their art. How could one grade Beethoven's great symphonies? Is Demons/Devils/the Possessed better than Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot? Tell me, do you prefer Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?
Dostoyevsky is writing the gospels man*. Greatness is not a bolus of achievement or a gout of acclaim. It just is. Each of Dostoyevsky's big novels is a piece that is both infinitely frustrating and beautifully perfect at the same time. There was probably more to love (for me) in Brothers Karamazov, but it didn't flow as easily as Demons, but still gah, still I think I love Demons more. No, Brothers K. No. Gah!
Desert Island book? Forced to pick? To HELL with you. I'm taking both or trade my food of foot or future for the second book. IT IS that good.
Demons is what you get when you mix a writer who is a philosopher on par with the thinking greats + a writer who is a psychologist on par with the behavioral greats + a writer who is a preacher on par with the moral greats. Oh, and you better make damn sure this writer is hypergraphic.
OK. I'm going to have to calm down. Let this review stew and seep. Think some. Sip some, and return and revise. This (this review) captures some of the energy I felt closing this book, but doesn't even come close to demanding from me what this book and the Man deserve.
* Yes, I kept thinking vaguely of the Big Lebowski as I read this.
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Quotes Darwin8u Liked
“I do not wish you much happiness--it would bore you; I do not wish you trouble either; but, following the people's philosophy, I will simply repeat: 'Live more' and try somehow not to be too bored; this useless wish I am adding on my own.”
― Demons
― Demons
Reading Progress
March 6, 2011
– Shelved
February 8, 2014
–
Started Reading
February 12, 2014
– Shelved as:
2014
February 12, 2014
– Shelved as:
aere-perennius
February 12, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)
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Feb 13, 2014 08:28AM
Great review.
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Thanks. The book left me exhausted.
Sometimes I wonder if ratings are only for books that he been released in our life time. Rubbish tends to be relegated to, well, the bin no matter what time period we are talking about.
Loved the Gospels analogy. Couldn't have said it any better.
Josh wrote: "Loved the Gospels analogy. Couldn't have said it any better."Thanks Josh.
David wrote: "Sometimes I wonder if ratings are only for books that he been released in our life time. Rubbish tends to be relegated to, well, the bin no matter what time period we are talking about."I agree, except you end up seeing occasionally a rebirth, resurrection of something great that was confined to the heaps ... like Moby-Dick.
If one has time to read the different translations, perhaps one can rank them. For each of Dostoyevsky's 4 Gospels.
Hades wrote: "Excellent review - Thank you"Thank YOU Hades. Writing positive reviews of Dostoevsky is kinda like saying nice things about God.
Sabah wrote: "Wow Darwin, sounds like Dostoyevskys hit you with the rush of a 100 red bulls!!! Loved this interim review : )"Yes, the Big Russians have that impact on me.
WOW. I was going to say, how did they get THOR to pose for that painting way back when?
William wrote: "WOW. I was going to say, how did they get THOR to pose for that painting way back when?"HA!
Sometimes I wonder about in my socks and my feet get wet
