Notes from a Dead House (Vintage Classics)

Dostoevsky is an iconic writer whose work is truly timeless. An engaging read, an interesting journey. Read the book and take the fascinating trip.

My love for the writing of Fyodor Dostoevsky has been passed down to the next two generations. It is no accident that one of my grandson's bears the middle name of Fyodor! The author's memoir about prison life - thinly disguised as a novel, has undergone a stunning and beautiful new translation at the hands of the gifted husband and wife team of Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.Dostoevsky was initially sentenced to die by firing squad for his involvement in a Utopian socialist discussion group. The CTsar commuted his sentence to four years in Siberia. This book, "Notes From A Dead House" represents Dosoevsky's memories of those years, smuggled out of the prison in bits and pieces.Most striking in this narrative is the transformation that the aristocratic protagonist undergoes as he begins to recognize the common humanity that he shares with many of the prisoners - even with the least likable among them. The language in this marvelous translation is rich and evocative. The characters we meet are memorable and idiosyncratic, in many cases giving hints at future fictional characters like Raskolnikov and members of the Karamazov family.For any fan of Dostoevsky's remarkable oeuvre, this book is a welcome addition to your library.

Having read Dostoevsky's other major works, it is a revelation to read Notes from A Dead House. All the themes for which he was later known, sin and humanity, violence and redemption, can be traced to this singular experience that transformed Dostoevsky's vision of the world. Though the book is a fictional account, it is based on Dostoevsky's four years in exile. And that personal connection comes through on every page. Perhaps in no other work of his storied career is his psychological analysis more honest and immediate as it is here. The book also serves as a stunning reminder of the power of the individual; his capacity for change, his capacity for empathy, ultimately transcend the bondage of institution. At a time when we are focused so much on changing institutions, reading this book may just provide some much needed perspective.

Another excellent translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. If you've read other translations of this book---mis-titled in earlier versions---you will feel you are reading it for the first time. Notes from a Dead House, in this translation, is also a good introduction for readers just getting into Dostoevsky, because it raises so many of the ethical and moral concerns in his later books, though only in outline here. We're fortunate to have the many fresh translations that Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky have produced; any of them will make you want to read all of Dostoevsky, or reread him again as if for the first time.

I have been reading Dostoyevsky for 20 years. Dostoyevsky's writing changed dramatically by his prison camp experience. It took on meaning that his earlier works did not have. Therefore reading this work has it's importance regarding what shaped the Dostoevsky of novels like "The Brothers Karmazov". Suffering brings clarity to what life means when it's stripped of pride, self reliance, and selfishness. You see although he didn't state it in the work, through his suffering Dostoyevsky discovered the nature of God, Christ, and himself. That clearly comes through his later works.

If you've been reading P & V's translations of D's works, you know that their amazing annotations to the novels have told you (almost) all you need to know about this basically plotless, thinly veiled memoir; but if you are like me you read every reference to this book with a fervent prayer that they would do their own translation of it.Now that our prayers have been answered, who are we not to take advantage of the bounty of Providence?I just did, and it was great!

Great book really shows where he gain a lot of insight to create his characters I believe. You can tell this was the start of something special in his literary career

Had a copy from the library that was more comfortable to read. It was just a bit bigger with slightly better print. The literature itself is excellent but the book less than expected.

Love the book

The font could have been some what bigger to make it easy on eyes. I find myselfnot qualified to comment upon Dostoevsky's work. He has given so much to humankind in form of his writings.

Nothing wrong with the translation. It’s just that the same product's hardcover version is different from the kindle version, the translation I mean.

Wonderful descriptions and stories from the author's imprisonment in Siberia.Loses one star for it's uneven quality - the first of his great books.Masterful translation.

Nobody can beat Dostoevsky when it comes to writing about man. He is the master and this new translation is the best ever you can get. The closest English translation of what the author wrote in Russian. Now I can claim to have all the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky.