Community Thread

[IlanaSimons]

Hi. Thanks for joining us. Introduce yourselves. Feel free to use this space for any off-topic discussion.

[historybuff234]

I am wondering if this would be a good thing to read first if you have never read Dostoevsky before?

[Laurel]

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historybuff234 wrote:
I am wondering if this would be a good thing to read first if you have never read Dostoevsky before?

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My first Dostoevsky book was Crime and Punishment. I was about thirteen when I read it, and I was fascinated by it. Then I went on and read and loved The Brothers Karamazov. This is my first time to read The Double, and I am finding it really intriguing. I think this would be a good place for you to start, HB, and I'm sure it won't be where you stop.

[historybuff234]

I think I am going to read Crime and Punisment first. But I am not sure.

[IlanaSimons]

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historybuff234 wrote:
I think I am going to read Crime and Punisment first. But I am not sure.

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"The Double" is short enough to read in a few days, so if you're looking for discussion, join us (with very little time investment!).
For one, "The Double" will show you how Kafka and Dostoevsky are linked, in case you've ever read Kafka. Both guys are surrealists of sorts, and show the burden of self-consciousness, of thinking about identity and social belonging.

[naihf]

Hi all,

This will be my introduction to Dostoevsky. I'm very much looking forward to it

~naihf~

[IlanaSimons]

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naihf wrote:
Hi all,

This will be my introduction to Dostoevsky. I'm very much looking forward to it

~naihf~

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Hi naihf.
I'm glad you're joining in.
Ilana

[sueott]

Is there a time frame for this discussion?
I have read Dostoyevsky before but wanted to challenge my brain more.

[IlanaSimons]

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sueott wrote:
Is there a time frame for this discussion?
I have read Dostoyevsky before but wanted to challenge my brain more.

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Hi sueott,
This discussion will happen through March. It would be great if you'd join us. "The Double" is a short work--so even if you just dip in, we'd like to hear your impressions as you go.
Ilana

Message Edited by IlanaSimons on 03-07-200703:30 PM

[historybuff234]

Hey everybody, I have included in my summer book order The Brothers Karamazov. I wil be in Iowa for my cousin's wedding and there I will be at a BN at least once and if I see them I am also going to buy Notes From the Underground, The Double, and other stories and Crime and Punishment.

[MacIan]

That's great! It reminds me of that New Yorker cartoon where the guys is being arrested for reading Brothers K on the beach (as in, it's not summer reading)... I read it in the summer though... hands down the best book I've ever read!

Is anything being discussed now? (I'm new at this.) I'd love to jump in on a discussion of any Dostoevsky work!

[IlanaSimons]

Hi McIan,
The Dostoevsky discussion is actually over now, sorry to say. We might pick up another of his books soon. If you can jump into any current discussion, that would be great. At the Book Clubs Home page, look at the "author appearances" and "current discussions" lists.
Ilana

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MacIan wrote:
That's great! It reminds me of that New Yorker cartoon where the guys is being arrested for reading Brothers K on the beach (as in, it's not summer reading)... I read it in the summer though... hands down the best book I've ever read!

Is anything being discussed now? (I'm new at this.) I'd love to jump in on a discussion of any Dostoevsky work!

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Message Edited by IlanaSimons on 06-02-200710:36 AM

[historybuff234]

The Dostoevsky discussion is done now? I am saddened. Mothing against B&N Book Clubs but I think that you really can't put a deadline on Dostoevsky it should be like the American or British classics board it keeps going on and disscussed more of his books. The reason why I am saddened more than normal is because I fianlly bought a few of Dostoevsky's books. Crime and Punishmnet and the one you here were discussing, Notes From the Underground, the Double, and other stories. It's not like I can't read what all of you here wrote, it's just that it means more when you can respond and have the people respond to you about the book.

Message Edited by historybuff234 on 06-13-2007 05:54 PM

[piihonua]

HI History buff,
I agree with you on the potential of extending discussions on certain works, especially Russian literature. Sorry to have just responded to your message but I'm willing to extend the discussion on Dostoyevsky and his other works apart from The Double if you're willing.

[historybuff234]

Yeah sure! I'll discuss it with you! If your wiling. Sorry I didn't respond to you sooner, but I thought no one would ever reply and I was on vacation. Whe do you want to start? I have began Notes From the Underground, but I'm not that far into it.