I read all of Dostoevsky's works and this order is what I find most suitable. I find that reading C&P first and NFU second is a mistake because NFU feels more like an intro to Dostoevsky. C&P is already a polyphonic complete novel, NFU on the other had is a short novella with only one dominant voice which is the underground man's. 1. Notes From Undeeground An intro to Dostoevsky's series of "underground" characters, social views, and understanding of the human psyche. 2. Crime and Punishment Dostoevsky's psychological and philosophical dive into the human condition and religious faith. 3. The Idiot This is the novel that is closest to Dostoevsky's personal convictions. 4. Demons An allegory of the potential harm that nihilism can cause. 5. Brothers Karamazov This is pretty much Dostoevsky's last and most complete philosophical dialogue.
Which translation should I read, I’ve C&P and then notes from the underground. But I lost notes and am not sure which translation to get. Which one would u recommend?
do u think it would pose an issue if i were to read the brothers karamazov first? i tried and failed reading c&p, and im aware this very well could be even more heavy and painful to get through, but i thought perhaps since its a murder mystery it could be less mundane. tbh i think it might be an interesting approach to plunge into a deeply philosophical, heavy book rather than starting slow, but since you seem to have a lot of knowledge as to the nature of each of his books i thought i’d ask whether reading the brothers karamazov first is the completely wrong way of approaching dostoevsky. it’s just that i’ve already bought the book and i’m quite drawn to it based on what i’ve heard
@@maryamel-hashimi1292 I’ve read c&p and tbh didn’t find it too hard, but I’m really struggling with “the brothers” . If you’re looking for a philosophical one I really recommend “Notes from the Underground” I’ll think it will really shock you in way you want suspect. It’s short and easier to read.
@@maryamel-hashimi1292 It is completely fine to read any book by Dostoevsky as your first. To be honest, reading Brothers Karamazov first has its own benefits, there are pros and cons to reading The Brothers Karamazov first, but I believe that the pros far outweigh the cons. The arrangement I recommend is only for those who would like to understand him deeply and quickly or to read him in a very organized manner. What you have to keep in mind is that the primary reason for most Dostoevsky reading order is that Dostoevsky repeats components of his novels and poses repeating philosophical problems and explores them through his narratives. One would be able to notice this quickly and easily if one would adhere to my proposed reading order. An example of this is his "underground" characters which exhibits very similar traits, starting with the underground man.
Does order matters? I'm new to dostoevsky's works and I wanna start off by Notes from the underground, should crime and punishment be the first in any case?
@@anidiot6396 I don't know, it's a novel that made me read Dostoevsky, and made me a reader really, so it's one that 30 years after stayed very close to my heart. It's beautiful and emotional, so I'd say it is "appropriate" but that depends what you want to get from it. I will recommend it always :). If you read it, comment here, so I know if you loved it 😉
I would argue that reading a novella such as The Double gives you a taste into his literary style. Not everybody can dive head first into Crime and Punishment although it is a book that must be read-no doubt.
Russian novella is seriously underrated! At least by the modern reader. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is quite excellent, far more approachable than War and Peace...
@@Jiggelmeister I don't agree with you at all. He studies the schizoaffective disorder extensively without having any psychiatric or psychological knowledge which is a hallmark of his characters, not to mention that Sylvia Plath wrote her thesis on this very novella. But hey, we can all have different opinions.
And don't forget the short story "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man"! One of the last things Dostoevsky wrote, shortly before The Brothers Karamazov. It's almost like a prelude to The Brothers Karamazov. And its main is the same main theme running throughout all of Dostoevsky's works, at least inasmuch as there can be said to be a main theme running throughout all his works.
Agreed, it's the first thing I recommend to anyone starting their Dostoevsky journey! Following it with Notes from Underground is brilliant too, The Ridiculous Man and The Underground Man are a perfect look at two people going down two different paths. After those two then either White Nights or Crime and Punishment :)
@@jaye2491 Good points! I also want to add that when it comes to Dostoevsky - maybe more than any other Russian writer since his style is so riveting and gripping yet jagged and frenetic like a stranger walking down the street who suddenly grabs you by the arm and starts shouting at you but in an actually very intelligent and exciting way - it's hard to get him across in English, hence a good translation of his works is very helpful. My personal favorite for Crime and Punishment is Oliver Ready and Michael Katz. Also, Katz has done most of Dostoevsky's major works except for The Idiot (though Katz told me he's currently working on translating The Idiot now). Also Constance Garnett is old but free, and she really holds up, but it's probably best to get a revised or updated version of Garnett's translation to iron out her deficiencies from the early 1900s. For example, I really like The Brothers Karamazov originally translated by Garnett and updated by Susan McReynolds Oddo in the Norton Critical Edition.
@@pattube yes so true! One piece of advice I am so glad I took at the beginning of my Russian literature journey was to ensure you find the best translation for you, and I agree wholeheartedly with Katz as the top of the list, his translations of Karamazov and Crime and Punishment are my favourites, and his translation Notes from Underground is probably my favourite as well I'd say. I haven't read his Demons, and that's exciting to know he is in the process of The Idiot! Have you spoken to him personally have you?? :) I have always loved the Penguin Classics translations overall too, McDuff is also a favourite of mine, although even being a native speaker of English I needed to look up a few of the mid-20th century translation choices. I have over 40 Dostoevsky related books on the shelf now (including 8 Karamazovs haha!), he just connects with me like no other author :)
@@jaye2491 Wow, awesome, I completely agree with everything you said! 😊 In fact, I couldn't agree more, what you said totally resonates with me too! Oh yes, I did speak with Katz recently, maybe a few weeks ago at most? He also said (half seriously, half with tongue planted in cheek, I think) that he hopes his translations of all of Dostoevsky's major works will replace the far more popular (but also, sorry to say, worse) translations by Pevear and Volokhonsky. I hope so too because Katz is just great and my favorite, though I recognize there are other good ones like McDuff too! I have only ever read excepts from McDuff though, not the whole books, but what I read I liked too. I think Ignat Avsey is also pretty good, maybe a bit loose here and there for my tastes, bit overall still good. Unfortunately I think he only ever did TBK and The Idiot though before he passed away. But I'm glad he did those two at least. 😊
@@jaye2491 By the way, I also really love Penguin Classics editions too! I don't think I have as many as you, but I do have quite a few. I usually love their introductions and notes. Usually their introductions are so helpful to me! I love their black spines too, they look so nice on my shelf. Someday hopefully I can build a good Penguin Classics collection! I don't know if you know him, but there's a channel by an older man and literary critic named Steve Donoghue who does something he calls his Daily Penguin (or at least he used to do it, not sure if he still does now, but I only recently found his channel, so I've been watching his series and going through his Daily Penguin videos). They're really often insightful and at least they make me want to read the books. Plus I've found a few books I had never heard of thanks to Steve Donoghue. Anyway I recommend him from what I've seen so far if you love books! 😊
I tried reading Crime and Punishment but since I'm not that accomplished a reader I found myself taking to long tripping over all the Russian names in my head. I listened to the audiobook instead and loved it.
Also the ''correct'' order, if you are interested in his personal life and his political ideas, which can be found in many of his characters, I recommend you to read his published journals!!
Same. Bothers first followed by NFU and next on my list is the Idiot. I agree with the other commenter, since they’re not a series there isn’t really a right order. Not being a Russian speaker alot of the names were tricky to read so maybe one of the shorter books would be a good choice for someone’s first one
I disagree. The first Dostoevsky novel to read is Notes From Underground. It's Dostoevsky's manifesto and blueprint for how he wrote out his novels. If you understand Notes From Underground, then you will understand everything in the rest of his novels. 📚 🤓👍
@@Toooldiguess the only actual book that I owned right now and probably the best so far (aside the old translation) was by Michael katz but perhaps I need to read the other translation too😅
I read Crime And Punishment, The Idiot, and then The Brothers Karamazov. I'm good for now. I may come back around for Notes From The Underground and Demons at some point. I'm in no rush. I enjoyed what I read, but it takes a certain mindset and mood for me to digest his writing
I read A Gentle Creature, then White Nights, now I'm reading Brothers Karamozov. It's really good so far. I'll probably read Crime and Punishment or The Idiot next.
Definitely start with notes from the underground, short and gets to the point of what makes him so unique and great. I read that first then notes from a dead house. Sounds weird but those are the first two I’d recommend…then get to his long novels
I started by reading Crime and Punishment coincidentally. Unfortunately I stopped there, time to pick up the 2nd of the list. Thx Edit: why Karamazov Bros is last?
Here's how I read Dostoevsky books in order: - Notes from the Underground - Crime and Punishment - White Nights - Humiliated and Insulted - The Gambler - The Idiot - The Demon - The Brothers Karamazov
I started with white nights, no his best but an easy read. Then notes from the underground, incredible one. Then crime and punishment, still continuing on the journey!
DONT READ CRIME AND PUNISHMENT FIRST ARE YOU CRAZY?? Start with one of his novellas and then work your way up to a novel or two before you dive into Crime And Punishment. That book is sooo drawn out but for good reason.
Personally, I'd start with Notes from Underground, cause it's short, then go to Karamazov cause it's his best, then C&P cause it's the most famous. Still to read Demons and The Idiot.
I read the double as an introduction to Dostoyesky's works and i found myself very much confused. I want to give it another go with crime and punishment but the book was quite pricey 😂
I must disagree but its so fun to make lists like these. Start with a shorter text like The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, then Notes from Underground, THEN C&P, The Idiot, The Bros, Demons. Just my opinion
Dostoevsky in a way ruined Russian literature for me. Why: you won't find a better Russian author. Compared to Dostoevsky all other writers are apprentices. He is the master of the masters.
Dostoevsky suggests there is NO God, yet he talks about morality and good and bad. If there is no God there is no such thing as good, and if there is no good, bad cannot exist. You need an intelligent mind above humans to define a moral absolute, because if it's defined by humans, then it's just a matter of opinion.
We read ,poor folk,in middle school,and i read an esse why i don't like it. ( Many years later I still don't like this novel) but want to read Brothers Karamazov
my uncle passed on to me “the brothers karamazov and 100 pages down should i stop and read the above mentioned first then catch up with it? can someone please clarify
Why is the order important? And what is your reasoning for this particular order? To me, it would make sense to read chronologically from earliest to latest book, or from least popular to most popular if you want to save the (potentially) best for last. Or you can just read them in any order you want, because the books are independent of each other 🤷
And now, I'm curious about what these books did for you. I mean, what do they talk about? Can they help someone to improve his life in some or another way ?
That's the one I started with. My mother still had her copy (which she never finished) from college. I picked it up in 10th grade. I read Notes from the Underground Man in college. I have since aquired both The Idiot and Crime and Punishment but they are still in the tbr pile.
Ya I read C&P as a kid n I don't recommend it cuz it leaves you angry AF n changes your view on so many things in life into anger cuz as a kid u want life to be fair n u slowly submit to life just not being fair in any sorts way
You can read any book of Dostoevsky in any order except one. Before reading "The Insulted and Humiliated" one must read "Poor Folk" first as the main character has just written and published that story and so though it is not exactly true, to know why he walks in his world in the place he does and why everyone idolizes him you must know "Poor Folk" so that you can cry to maximum level upon finishing "The Insulted and Humiliated." "Dostoevsky in Love: An Intimate Life," by Alex Christofi, would be a weak substitute to reading "Poor Folk" before "The Insulted and Humiliated." FAVORITE AUTHORS LIST 1st) Fyodor Dostoevsky 1) “The Insulted and Humiliated” by Fyodor Dostoevsky 4) "The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 19) "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 30) "Demons" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 65) "My Uncle's Dream" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 80) "The Heavenly Christmas Tree" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 113) "Poor Folk" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 130) "The Gentle Spirit" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 141) "The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 149) "White Nights" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 173) "Netochka Nezvanova" (nameless nobody) by Fyodor Dostoevsky His second wife wrote two books at once, while Fyodor Dostoevsky just spoke them outloud so he could get them published fast enough to get out of debt, and they married right as they got the job done for "The Gambler" and "The Idiot." I'm sure she loved the latter more than the former, but she was probably dumbfounded on her honeymoon to be in the former story like a horror movie. When she finally stumbled upon his former work "The Insulted and Humiliated" I guarantee you she cried like a baby and put that book above "The Idiot" in her mind as her husband's greatest work.
Good rule of thumb if you dont know in which order to read books of any author is simply to read them by publishing year. Start first with his early works and move on and follow his development as a writer.
I read "The Player" first. In-tune with geopolitics, a bit of history, and the late era of the setting, I got every single nod to each peoples' attitudes. It was fun, what can I say? Also, maybe the origin of "simp protag."
