The Idiot

Moments of surprise.

Reading Dostoyevsky is like hiking up a vast mountain. Much of the path appears to be like the past couple of steps - and like the next couple of steps. Every now and then, you come upon a lookout point in a moment of amazement and awe - and then return to hiking. Throughout the story, there are masterful moments of descriptions, dialogues or monologues that have such remarkable significance that they are likely to stay with the readers for the rest of their lives. And then, as is also often the case with Dostoyevsky - there is the summit - completely unexpected, surprising and in some instances shocking to the bone yet no less amazing. Dostoyevsky is a hike up a mountain - not a hike in the park. Not easy to read but with no ordinary reward.

As for Constantine Gregory - BRAVO! I doubt if there is a single other narrator that could quite master Dostoyevsky as he as come to do quite comfortably. The ever so slight changes in intonation to distinguish the (many and sometimes confusing) characters, and his grasp of the cultural and linguistic peculiarities is masterful.

The Idiot is not the most rewarding of the great Dostoyevsky works - but is in every way extremely satisfying and ultimately rewarding. I always feel like I have been rewarded with some form of insight or prize after having completed a Dostoyevsky book - and the Idiot is no different.

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Narrator Gregory is up to the task.

Dostoyevsky’s words matter. There are no car chases or sex scenes. His stories are a psychological and philosophical examination of life, which can be ruined by a reader who doesn’t “get it”. I purchased 2 versions

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The Idiot

This was translated very well. The narrator was superb. The characters are very interesting. And it is my 2nd favorite Dostoyevsky.

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Marathon

For English only speakers like myself, this book will be hard to follow at some points. That can be made easier if the listener either marathons sections of this book or regularly comes back to it. The character of the prince is delightful and human and it is his character that push

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

excellent reading. this is also a very good value.

this is one of my favorite books. the Easter was clear, engaging, really perfect. excellent book to read for Disability studies in literature.

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Good but not Great

This book has a interesting story and wonderful characters, however it goes on about this that have nothing to do with the story. Adding to the fact that the 2 part of the story has no bearing to the plot. A good but not great book.

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

incredible

very appropriate reader with an impressive
varied skillset of impersonations. his fluidity in reading is excellent too.
the novel is top notch too

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

deep book

I will be thinking about this one for a while. not a simple book by no means

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Perplexing, but thought provoking

I can't say that I loved every minute of it, but after a few months I still think of some of the chapters. it is definitely an interesting novel.

3 sur 4 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

It can hardly get any better

A novel, and its audio performance, there at the very top. Dostoyevsky is the pinnacle of character portrayal that he manages to convince the reader of his impartiality and his characters' independence. Moreover, he can simply make you laugh and cry and shudder just like that.
I love Constance Garnett's translation language, very true to the time of the original book.
The performance is simply outstanding.
A feast for the senses.