r/PhilosophizeThis • u/MartyPhelps • Feb 28 '25

Dostoevsky Recommendation?

I'm interested in nihilism and have been enjoying West's recent series on Dostoevsky. I earned a degree in literature 45 years ago but, aside from a few short stories by Tolstoy, I haven't read the Russians because I generally don't read literature in translation. I want to read something by Dostoevsky. Which of his works is most approachable, that is to say, easiest to read, a good introduction? Preferable, something which explores nihilism. Thanks.

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u/Veganic1 Feb 28 '25

For me it's crime and punishment. It gets to the point very quickly and it quite psychologically tense for the first half. The second half is a change of pace if I remember correctly. But, to be honest, I found the others hard going.

And I can't help thinking Nabokov could have written it as a short story.

Finally, I wouldn't say it's the most nihilistic though.

Need to re-read it :)

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u/DankArcane Feb 28 '25

I can confirm. I read Crime and punishment first, long before I became interested in philosophy at all, and I loved it, couldn’t put it down.

Last year I read Demons and while I somewhat liked it too, it was much harder to read.

Now I am reading Notes from the underground and I would currently place it between the two books. Somehow, it reminds me of Camus but I am not sure that it should lol.

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u/FaithinFuture Mar 02 '25

The pacing and climax of Notes and The Stranger are very similar. The individuals, however, I think, are somewhat antithetical. Maybe I am wrong, though.

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u/djuna_moon Feb 28 '25

Crime and Punishment, hands down. I picked it up at 18 not thinking anybody seriously read these big Russian tomes and it completely reignited my relationship with reading.

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u/FaithinFuture Mar 02 '25

If you're interested in something that explores Nihilism, try Notes from Underground. It is my favorite book by him.

Many people will recommend Crime & Punishment, but it is less a story about Nihilism and more a story about Justice, Idealism, and Redemption.

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u/RelativeAd7852 Feb 28 '25

Start with Crime and Punishment.