Do you mean more that the ideas challenge the current prodomonent views or are just difficult to grasp? There are plenty of books out there that pushed the envelope to a degree for the thinking of the time, but might not have been difficult to read, and are considered classics by most. Just curious here.
I don't really mean either. The ideas themselves may not be difficult to grasp OR challenge predominant views, but their presentation in a literary work may be done in such a way that it's not immediately apparent, or that requires reading a hundred pages of seemingly meaningless exposition before their impact can be felt.I struggled with Crime and Punishment, honestly. Ultimately good and worth it, but it was tough for me to get through. I've been stalling on reading more, mainly The Brothers Karamazov.
Note that I did NOT put Crime and Punishment on my list of favorites. I think it's perhaps Dostoevsky's least successful "major" work. It's slower, less developed and a bit predictable.
Haven't read this one, but was a fan of Gatsby. My wife liked Gatsby so much, she used to have a copy in her car.
Tender is the Night is his last finished novel and very autobiographical. As a result, it's quite sad.
I may have to rethink my hesitation on more Dostoevsky after this. Really that good? You do seem to have a particular interest in all things Russian, though. 
As a Russian literature major in undergrad, I have that tendency.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1689 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
1290 Views
Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
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Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
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Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
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Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
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Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
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Re: Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM
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A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
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I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
670 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
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That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately. 
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
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Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
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I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
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I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
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I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
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Less fun than you'd think. 
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. 
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
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I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through. 
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
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- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1327 Views
Good survey.
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1312 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
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Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
1274 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1190 Views
Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
1233 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
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Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1383 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1383 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1246 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1246 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
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I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
1337 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
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Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
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the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
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