It was boring. I'm glad these early sci-fi books gotten written to open the way for today's stories but the depth of character and acts of evil just weIt was boring. I'm glad these early sci-fi books gotten written to open the way for today's stories but the depth of character and acts of evil just weren't that interesting. ...more
I read it quickly so I could be finished for book club. A while back I started the Ben Barnes' movie version and didn't finish it because...ummm wow. SoI read it quickly so I could be finished for book club. A while back I started the Ben Barnes' movie version and didn't finish it because...ummm wow. So this book is the same theme but leaving looooooooots to the imagination. Lots of poetic discourse. The funniest chapters was once he started being bad, he bought exotic jewels and tapestries and Eastern musical instruments!!! I feel like OW had really mixed feeling about whether one should do what one wants OR there are consequences to sin. Glad I read the classic, but it won't be one I read again. ...more
This book has been on my list for a long time and I powered through it during Lent. I knew it was a philosophical book, and it was about a crazy RussiaThis book has been on my list for a long time and I powered through it during Lent. I knew it was a philosophical book, and it was about a crazy Russian family but I wish there were more deep thoughts and less lengthy descriptions. Going into Lent I wanted to read a meaningful fiction book and this one is on so many lists of Best Fiction for Christians. My favorite nonfiction author (Brian Zahnd) loves Dostoevsky and refers to his works a lot; I've also heard this book is the best novel ever written. So I went in with some high hopes, but also the realization that classics are often not my favorite. Fortunately, while long, I never was lost or confused as to what was happening, though I did have to look up a couple of characters. I have been to Russia so I fortunately knew about diminutive names, which I understand can be confusing. Everyone was just so emotional, so much crying and kissing and hysterics and brain fevers and onset on madness (we think people complain of mental problems today!). The dad is bad, and we had pages of his 'bafoonary,' And the two ladies, why did they fall in love with them? I didn't see much character development to give me reason for the wild passion. Then there was the monastery, and the brothers and their friends and other town's people and the night of the crime and the trial, and the sick boy. I was just a little disappointed that I didn't see the 'prophetic truth telling' inside all the words. I don't regret reading it, and I hear various reports of the other classic Russian stories so maybe one day in my life I'll pick up another. ...more
Mostly a slough, I was expecting more intrigue, but I guess as it is a true story there's not a lot to add. I'm so glad I read a review that said to rMostly a slough, I was expecting more intrigue, but I guess as it is a true story there's not a lot to add. I'm so glad I read a review that said to read all the 'he's as Cromwell, that was a little confusing. And so many characters, there was a list in the beginning which was helpful. I did look up lots of details to read more and see what was real. I didn't really like many of the characters. And there is still so much that happens in the lives of Henry and his six wives (this covered almost all of 2) and yet it was really long. ...more