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I am currently reading The Brothers Karamzov. I read and enjoyed both White Nights and Notes From Underground, so I figured I would have a crack at Dostoyevsky's magnum opus. I'm only about 200 pages in so far, but I definitely see where the book's reputation comes from. Dosty has a way of making 30 pages feel like 10. I noticed this in Notes From Underground, where mundane set pieces in the second half, such as the party and the visit at the protagonist's house, are able to possess such a enthralling tension. TBK cranks that up to 100. Furthermore, the way the characters think and act perfectly reflect those vague, weighty feelings that everyone feels but no one can really describe. Mitya's obssession with his wrong doings, the way he places such little value in himself that he feels everyone else must feel the same way. This central idea that people misbehave as a way to preemptively assert some form of control over the way others perceive them. It's something that I've vaguely felt before, and while I can't quite put it into words at the moment, as I read more I will most certainly try.

Before starting Karamzov, I finished Moby Dick. I absolutely loved that book and will maybe talk about it in a future post in order to not make this one too long. As a little side note at the end, with regards to the last post, I believe I mentioned something about listening to what other's think of you. That only applies to certain things. With regards to personal choices such as fashion, likes/dislikes, or hobbies, other's opinions should have as much value to you as spoiled food.