Brian Damage

Scanning through these glowing reviews I have to ask if we're reading the same book. I mean, it's alright, but hardly the most compelling story ever written, and it's far too long. The crowbarred-in theological dialogues, for which this novel is largely regarded, are boring at best and downright nauseating at worst. An example being when Alyosha meets his brother at the inn, who goes on to spout a protracted monologue about (spoiler alert) how he believes in God but rejects Him because of human suffering. Groundbreaking stuff, hey? It's not that I agree or disagree with his revelation, it's that it's set out in the form of a 30 page demented ramble. These are the parts of the novel, we're told, that demand serious contemplation, but the arguments are horribly presented, anachronistic and trite. On the whole I haven't found this novel very enlightening. I haven't learned much about nineteenth century Russia (other than that Russians really liked to kiss each other on the lips back then), nor have I gained new insight into the human psyche. The characters are unrelatable. Very effusive, hysterical, and each capable of spontaneous magniloquence. Alyosha, the main character, is a total melt and forever holding back tears, and his love interest is just dank. In the book's favour, the theological stuff is only a small part of it, and the main story is very easy to follow. Not full of grandiose abstractions and you always know where you are. It's basically a Dickens novel set in Russia, only slightly less interesting, and three times as long. I really don't see much merit in reading this book, other than to satisfy one's tepid yearning to get a Dostoyevsky novel out of the way. If you read purely for entertainment and are not concerned with ticking off the classics, then probably give this leviathan of an alright novel a wide berth.

A cracking Culture novel. Quite a different approach from previous books in the series as there is little to no sci-fi, although it is implied. Clearly a strong Charles Dickens influence. Far easier to follow than the last couple in the series, to my relief, but wouldn't make much sense as a stand alone novel without having read at least one of the previous entries.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but it was hard to follow in places because it is badly written.