Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Grove Press (1955), Paperback, 333 pages
Description
The story is narrated by a young author, Vanya, who has just released his first novel. It bears an obvious resemblance to Dostoyevsky's own first novel, Poor Folk. Vanya's close friend and former love object, Natasha runs away with prince Alexey, son of Prince Valkovsky, who hopes to gain financially by marrying Alexey off to an heiress, Katya. Meantime we meet another young girl Nellie, whom Vanya saves from an abusive household by taking her into his apartment. Nellie's story is one of Dostoyevsky's most moving creations which inspired Japanese director Akira Kurosawa to produce an adaptation film, Red Beard.
User reviews
LibraryThing member gbill
This book was published in 1861, following Dostoevsky’s imprisonment in Siberia, but before his major novels (starting with Crime and Punishment in 1866). It’s interesting to see the mature Dostoevsky taking shape here, and the influence of Dickens in the character of the little orphan girl
I liked how there were instances of the aristocracy who are evil, immoral or weak, but also others who are good and altruistic – and the same being true of the poor characters. There is a mix of people in each class. However, the main message of his story is that there are times when being insulted demands forgiveness, and it’s foolish to remain stubborn and estranged, and there are also times when being insulted demands sticking to one’s principles, and not compromising them even if one is bribed to do so.
I have to say Dostoevksy gets a little melodramatic at times in this story (there is a lot of sobbing, folks), the parallel and converging story of the insulted/injured is a little contrived, and the action bogs down at times in one character rushing off from one to another. However, some of these shortcomings I chalk up to 19th century literature, and to his credit, Dostoevsky does not sugar-coat the fact that evil sometimes ‘gets away with it’, and wins. He knew first-hand that it’s a tough world, and this is certainly worth reading if you’re a fan of his.
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Nellie and the seamy underbelly of St. Petersburg. The novel has several fantastic characters, and moments of absolute brilliance, in particular those involving the evil Prince Valkovsky. There is also giving up love in self-sacrifice, touching parental devotion, and even occasional humor in drunken ramblings. I liked how there were instances of the aristocracy who are evil, immoral or weak, but also others who are good and altruistic – and the same being true of the poor characters. There is a mix of people in each class. However, the main message of his story is that there are times when being insulted demands forgiveness, and it’s foolish to remain stubborn and estranged, and there are also times when being insulted demands sticking to one’s principles, and not compromising them even if one is bribed to do so.
I have to say Dostoevksy gets a little melodramatic at times in this story (there is a lot of sobbing, folks), the parallel and converging story of the insulted/injured is a little contrived, and the action bogs down at times in one character rushing off from one to another. However, some of these shortcomings I chalk up to 19th century literature, and to his credit, Dostoevsky does not sugar-coat the fact that evil sometimes ‘gets away with it’, and wins. He knew first-hand that it’s a tough world, and this is certainly worth reading if you’re a fan of his.
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LibraryThing member alexdaw
I know I know...hilarious title...you get what the title promises - perhaps a rather melodramatic tale of people who feel insulted and humiliated. My husband always says that people don't give offense - you only take it. There is perhaps a weird logic in this...I'm not entirely convinced but I do
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think Dotoyevsky looks at how far we are willing to abase ourselves for love and I guess there is no limit really to how much we will lower ourselves for someone we really love - no matter how ridiculous or illogical. The main character Vanya is a struggling author and hopelessly devoted to Natasha. He sits and listens to her and waits upon her as she tortures him with tales of how much she loves another and, in turn, she is poorly used by the one she loves. Needless to say, Vanya is adored in turn by a poor waif Nelly whom he saves from destitution and a den of iniquity. This book took a lot to get through and I was rewarded at the end by the epilogue which I quite enjoyed if only to have some sense of closure. Show Less
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
I really enjoyed this novel. Dostoevsky's characters were engaging, if melodramatic. I didn't want to put the book down! What would happen to little Nellie? Would Alyosha pick Natasha or Katya? Would the prince get what was coming to him? You'll have to read it to find out. The major theme was
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identified in the title, "The Insulted and Humiliated". Dostoevsky points out the cruel behavior of the aristocracy towards the "common" person, and Dostoevsky favors the ability of the downtrodden to maintain their dignity by living by their principals, and relying on true love and loyalty. The issue of forgiveness is also addressed, and the author provides several examples of forgiveness and lack thereof, and the consequences of those choices. Wonderful read! Show Less
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
Not as intellectually challenging as Dostoyevsky's other novels, but one which still carries his strong characterization. Sociopathy and romance and a love quandrangle.
LibraryThing member augustgarage
A bit soap-opera-ish, with a touch of Dickens. Worth a read none-the-less.
The narrator, Vanya, is a novelist in the mold of the author. One of his critics says that his books border on mawkish, and are stained by Vanya's sweat and tears, who works with such febrile intensity to complete them
Each character is again an exaggerated "type," although they are more involving and believable than in Dostoevsky's prior work, and seem based in part on his experience of individuals he knew in reality.
There are hints of Dostoevsky's full powers at work here, though obscured by over-use of certain techniques and under-maturation of his literary/philosophical themes.
The narrator, Vanya, is a novelist in the mold of the author. One of his critics says that his books border on mawkish, and are stained by Vanya's sweat and tears, who works with such febrile intensity to complete them
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(always under the pressure of a deadline). This weakness is apparent in Dostoevsky's characterizations as well, as nearly everyone in this novel is in a near constant state of delirious emotional upheaval, convulsing (often literally) after every confrontation, as the narrator rushes from one scene to the next with no respite even in dreams. It is easy, not to mention disconcerting, to imagine Dostoevsky on the verge of a nervous attack, in hot-pursuit with his pen as he feels all the emotions as he describes them. It is impossible to sustain a climax for hundreds of pages, so this intensity undermines the arc of the story as the reader habituates to the style, and any revelations only have the force of added melodrama when they emerge.Each character is again an exaggerated "type," although they are more involving and believable than in Dostoevsky's prior work, and seem based in part on his experience of individuals he knew in reality.
There are hints of Dostoevsky's full powers at work here, though obscured by over-use of certain techniques and under-maturation of his literary/philosophical themes.
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LibraryThing member DanielSTJ
This was an excellent novel by Dostoevsky. There was plot twists, extensive character studies, pervasive themes, literary merit, and rapid intrigue all combined into one. You vied for the characters and they became real in their actions, thoughts, and feelings. The plot is one that you can
4.5 stars and no less- fully earned!
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completely absolve yourself into and it becomes persuasive in its impetus that rides alongside you through your reading of it. I was thoroughly interested in this one and I feel it's among Dostoevsky's best novels. 4.5 stars and no less- fully earned!
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Language
Original language
Russian
Original publication date
1872
1921
ISBN
none