😂 Were they any good? I was in a book shop yesterday and came across some of his stuff but I already had too many books

I read Oliver Twist & Great Expectations about 15 years ago but quickly moved onto far less sophisticated literature!

So that is what Down & Out in Paris & London is about. He decides to live on the streets with the downtrodden of society to get an understanding of their lives/circumstances. He certainly was an interesting bloke. Has anyone read any Charles Dickens novels? I haven’t.

Interesting mention road to Wigan pier, I’ve heard of this but will add to my list. The last Orwell book I read was the Decline of the English murder, quite short but stood out how Orwell used to live as a tramp to see what it was like. Sort of like those Rich kids go poor tv shows, genius guy

I haven’t read road to wigan pier but it’s on my list. I also have a book of his essays — A Hanging. Haha good luck with that. I have not braved any of those huge novels.

Yeah I have read it, but it was like 11-12 years ago now. I remember feeling hope and then despair. Overall, a good book and a very insightful glimpse into the ways that people can be manipulated. Orwell has written some really interesting stuff. I’ve read a few of his essays such as ‘Notes on nationalism’ too. ‘Road to Wigan Pier’ is a bleak look into northern cities of the early 20th century, but also really interesting to see his (borderline obsessive) thoughts on the nuances of the social classes. I’ve also just bought Down & Out in Paris & London by Orwell. I will share a review on the The Brothers Karamazov but it won’t be for a bit, it’s got over 850 pages! And the text isn’t big 😂

Haha yes the perennial problem. I see buying books like collecting wine. Let them sit there til I really need them. I read 1984 for the first time years ago and didn't finish because of the theory part in the middle. This time I read it so fast (skipped some of the theory bit lol). I really enjoyed it, especially the existential/metaphysical aspects. Have you read it? Did you like it? And I’ve heard amazing things about the brothers karamazov. Please remember to share a review !

The problem with the to-read pile is it grows faster than I can reduce it! I’ve just got The Brothers Karamazov, so moving on to that next. I’ll have a look at the others you mentioned. I see you recently read 1984 h4ze4d4yz. Did you enjoy it? Probably the wrong question given it’s so depressing.

I think Dostoevsky was an incredible writer. He wrote a short story called White Nights. It essentially described an (only just) emerging psychological diagnosis called maladaptive daydreaming, which is a form of dissociation. He was so ahead of his time. I have had Notes From The Underground in my to-read pile for ages. Maybe I will read it next

No, never read it or anything by Alexander Dumas. A book I would recommend is Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Such a good book, the guys understanding of psychology is amazing. It’s set me off on reading his other stuff.