Book Club

[Puzzle Piece]

I am supposed to read this book along with an acquaintance and we are supposed to share our thoughts.  

UGH.  It's depressing.  Does anyone have a way I can view this reading better than I am dong so now?  

[cindyNC]

Do they still make Cliff's notes? Can you listen to an audio version? 

[jlkz]

@Puzzle Piece 

Best idea: watch the film.  You're right about the depression !  Stick with it...Jo a few names down that impress you for whatever reason.  You're on your way....

[tansy]

I imagine you can find summaries online.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

I read that book as a young girl, and I was overwhelmed with all of the Russian names!

Yes, it is a classic, but it is very dark, and long. It is a reflection of the life of the author in difficult times.  All the psychological problems and the sad lives of the characters can be overwhelming.

Wikipedia has a nice summary with all the different parts.

IMO that book is more like an assignment for a class, rather than something to read for enjoyment, unless you really want to learn about life in Russia in the 19th century.

[Bookplate]

So, you're reading Dostoevsky for pleasure ("book club"), which is unusual, but laudatory.

 But you don't actually want to read Dostoevsky, which is perfectly understandable.  He's a handful.

Why not just pass on this choice?

You will get a sense of the themes of the book, and obviously the plot and characters from a summary, but trust me it is nothing like reading the novel in its entirety.  For me, college course, several weeks, many class discussions, quiz, and paper.  I was glad I did it but it's not something I was ever temtped to re-read, unlike Jane Austen or E. M Forster.  

If someone suggests War and Peace, walk quietly away in the opposite direction...

[Mz iMac]

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@Bookplate wrote:

If someone suggests War and Peace, walk quietly away in the opposite direction...

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@Bookplate  

I read W&P for fun!  I pictured Marlon Brando as Napoleon & Jean Simmons as his love interest.

When I read C&P I pictured Charles Bronson as the main character.

@Puzzle Piece  The above is how I go about reading long books.  I insert "movie stars" as the characters.

[rockygems123]

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@Bookplate wrote:

So, you're reading Dostoevsky for pleasure ("book club"), which is unusual, but laudatory.

 But you don't actually want to read Dostoevsky, which is perfectly understandable.  He's a handful.

Why not just pass on this choice?

You will get a sense of the themes of the book, and obviously the plot and characters from a summary, but trust me it is nothing like reading the novel in its entirety.  For me, college course, several weeks, many class discussions, quiz, and paper.  I was glad I did it but it's not something I was ever temtped to re-read, unlike Jane Austen or E. M Forster.  

If someone suggests War and Peace, walk quietly away in the opposite direction...

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@Bookplate 

Totally agree with you about War and Peace.

Perfect description of Dostoevsky being a handful.  I've read Brothers Karamazov and Notes from Underground by choice.  That was in my 20's though when my synapses were on fire lol. 

[Sooner]

@Puzzle Piece Look at it as exercise for your brain.  Challenge yourself to read it.  Sometimes it helps to read a segment, then write a note about it, the action, a sentence you liked, note about a character, etc.  

It helps your brain to do things that challenge and expand it!  Have fun, take on the task and make the most of it!   Good luck!  

[Desertdi]

Good heavens!    I couldn't even handle Shakespeare WHEN I was in school, and HAD to read it...