How to Read Dostoevsky (Tips from Experience)

"Before you read Fyodor Dostoevsky"
Today's video will gives you some tips for how to read the fiction of Fyodor Dostoevsky. There is always a learning curve for his characters and their psychology, but I hope that this video helps you know what to expect so you can enjoy his novels to the fullest!

Intro: 00:00
Stage 1 Excitement: 1:40
Stage 2 Confusion: 2:52
Stage 3 Frustration: 4:04
Stage 4 Enlightenment: 6:02
Tips for Stage 3: 7:33

Some other videos about Dostoevsky I've done in the past:

Like and subscribe to make sure you get updated whenever I upload!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a m a z o n w i s h l i s t

a b o u t & c o n t a c t
Instagram: @christy_luis
Voxer Usename: "Christaaaay"

c h a r i t y p a r t n e r

INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILIES TOGETHER :

If you are a family in need of support (and outside of Colorado or Lake County, California), please apply here for a virtual Neighbor:

*Please note, we do a limited amount of virtual Neighbors per year as the best work happen with in person support. They are both first come first serve. Otherwise, you'll be added to our waiting list.

[alanaestelle]

Girl you know how much I love my boy Dostoyevsky! And you’re so right! He shows; he’s not a teller and I love him for it 🤩 He pieces his character together and really it’s like how we interact with people in real life. We can never know what another person is thinking, but over time, as we continue to interact with them and get to know them, over time their quirks and unique ways of expression make more and more sense. I’ll be reading The Idiot next year and I’m super excited for it! Great video Christy!!!!

[gabrielferraz]

I remember once while reading Dostoevsky I said "I can't tell you anything I've just read from the last 5 pages", went on to reading the next one and boom, everything clicked

[attention]

Dostoyevsky wrote some of the most complex characters I have ever read and I have always loved those long discussions and the way the characters seem to work out their own thoughts on the page.

[elizabethosborne]

This absolutely resonates with my experience. The stages are so right, its funny. And then days after finishing the book, you are still deep in thought because boom its all making sense.

[beautifulminutiae]

I love this video so much! Dostoyevsky definitely has a pattern he follows. I think a lot of people get frustrated somewhere in the middle during the philosophical rambling/speeches, but he really does pull it all together in the end. I can’t wait to hear what your final thoughts are on The Idiot!

[ttowntrekker]

Great summary! My first try at "reading" Crime and Punishment was a fail because of all the different names of the characters. So, I tried listening to it on Audible and that completely solved my problem. I loved it!

[BrandonsBookshelf]

This was so interesting and spot on. Dosoevsky is my favorite writer hands down. Stage 2 is for real!

[sybarites]

this deserves so much more recognition, fuelled the desire in me completely to pick back up the book!

[cracklingsoda]

Such a joy listening to you. Glad I found this channel.

[Lokster]

Great video Christy. It makes me want to - finally - get around to reading some of the Dostoevsky I've got on my shelves. "Hang in there, enlightenment is coming" is a motto to live by.

[mohamedanis]

girl, you really made me relaxed, cause I got depressed in stage 3. now i know the enlightenment in coming .

[theelegantcouplesbookrevie]

The Idiot is also tricky because of its more stream of conscious rather unstructured approach to the narrative. His showing not telling is also a great insight! So happy to see another appreciative reader of Dostoevsky!

[ramacanda]

Just bought Crime and Punishment and also Notes from Underground to familiarize with his style. Thanks for this video, now I know what to expect! Greetings from Argentina!!

[robertocatrone]

I love Fyodor Dostoevsky. The first time I read his work was in junior high. My teacher, a brilliant Russian lady, first explained how names of individuals in Russia especially in 1800s were multi layered eg. by class level and familial one person can have multiple names which adds to the emotional story line.
Then the Absolute turmoil of The Times. Understanding these points in riches every story..
Like any? Great book as you get older and you re-read these books and you add your life experience to these books you draw so much more out of these writings, as with most classics.
My goal is to learn Russian better so I can read in the original Language.
All that said. I enjoy your videos. Well done
BTW, Dostoevsky has 15 book and more trivia Brothers Karamazov was supposed to have a two part Unfortunately he died before he could complete the second novel.

[rituparna]

Just started Crime and Punishment today!and it seems promising
Btw Thanks for the video, loved the way you explained everything 😂❤

[ba-ggjo]

I have just arrived at your channel via Peg on the History Channel. I must have started Crime and Punishment half a dozen times and ground to a halt around page 100. I will have another attempt, as your observations I believe will help me. I am a Tolstoy fanatic which I find so much easier to grasp, but I realise that it is all very subjective. One of the best explanations of The Idiot is on the Bookish Topics channel, where the background to the novel is explained by a very knowledgeable young lady. Thank you for this, even though I am a year late! Stay safe and enjoy your reading.

[SaraMGreads]

I’m going to try another Dostoevsky but with a more recent translation. Reading War & Peace in a couple translations has shown me how important that is.

[KaysHiddenShelf]

I haven’t read Dostoevsky yet, and was very tempted to join in on The Idiot but couldn’t fit it in. Thank you for putting this together! I will definitely be coming back to rewatch this when I’m ready to start his books.

[shawkitty]

Thank you so much for this excellent break down for reading Dostoevsky! I have only read "Crime and Punishment" at this point, but I found your analysis largely true for the character of Raskolnikov. I have recently purchased "The Brothers Karamazov" and will keep the 4 stages in mind as I read it.

[JohnSaxon-vwvi]

I totally understand and agree with you 100 percent with what you are saying about this amazing video love it ❤❤love you and your amazing channel prayers and thoughts to you and your family love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤