Any Dostoevsky fans?
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February 8th, 2013 at 8:13:03 AM
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Just curious, are there any Dostoevsky fans here? If so, which of his novels is your favorite?
Fighting BS one post at a time!
February 8th, 2013 at 8:16:20 AM
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Louis LaMour
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
February 8th, 2013 at 8:52:19 AM
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Quote: Beethoven9thJust curious, are there any Dostoevsky fans here? If so, which of his novels is your favorite?
(For me, it's gotta be "Notes from Underground")
If not Dostoevsky, maybe Kafka or Camus?
You're asking about Dostoevsky here and the book you pick isn't The Gambler?
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
February 8th, 2013 at 9:00:37 AM
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Quote: MathExtremistYou're asking about Dostoevsky here and the book you pick isn't The Gambler?
Fighting BS one post at a time!
February 8th, 2013 at 11:09:01 AM
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Quote: Beethoven9thJust curious, are there any Dostoevsky fans here? If so, which of his novels is your favorite?
(For me, it's gotta be "Notes from Underground")
If not Dostoevsky, maybe Kafka or Camus?
I read Crime and Punishment back in high school. I remember enjoying it but it was definitely not an easy read. I have always meant to read The Brothers Karamazov but have never gotten around to it; it would be a serious time commitment. I guess I should go for The Gambler since it's shorter.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
February 8th, 2013 at 11:11:37 AM
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Quote: AcesAndEightsI read Crime and Punishment back in high school. I remember enjoying it but it was definitely not an easy read. I have always meant to read The Brothers Karamazov but have never gotten around to it; it would be a serious time commitment. I guess I should go for The Gambler since it's shorter.
Hey, free Kindle edition!
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
February 8th, 2013 at 11:18:42 AM
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Quote: AcesAndEightsHey, free Kindle edition!
There are many old books with lapsed copyrights that can be had for free. I think there was a site offering them for the taking in PDF.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
February 8th, 2013 at 1:46:49 PM
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I think if I reread them all now, I would say my favorite is The Brothers Karamazov , but I just reread The Gambler and that is what is on my mind.
Short comments on The Gambler:
*relates very authentically what it is like to gamble for a lot of folks.
*it has some hugely funny moments in it.
*the rich lady that just won't die is a great subplot. And *her* gambling experience is immensely entertaining.
*it sort of reads like a screen play, clearly would make a great movie, but it would seem the only movies ever made are loose adaptations.
Short comments on The Gambler:
*relates very authentically what it is like to gamble for a lot of folks.
*it has some hugely funny moments in it.
*the rich lady that just won't die is a great subplot. And *her* gambling experience is immensely entertaining.
*it sort of reads like a screen play, clearly would make a great movie, but it would seem the only movies ever made are loose adaptations.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
February 8th, 2013 at 1:54:13 PM
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Quote: AcesAndEightsI guess I should go for The Gambler since it's shorter.
Fighting BS one post at a time!
February 8th, 2013 at 4:01:46 PM
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Definitely The Brothers Karamazov as one of the great works of literature. The first half is rather slow but it picks up in the second half.
February 8th, 2013 at 4:20:46 PM
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Camus.
"The Stranger" was certainly one of the most influential books I have read.
I took a college course, "French Literature in Translation," taught by a woman who knew and frequently associated with Camus.
It turned me on to my core belief: existentialism.
I recall reading "The Stranger" again, cover to cover while flying cross country to attend my mother's funeral.
Powerful experience.
"The Stranger" was certainly one of the most influential books I have read.
I took a college course, "French Literature in Translation," taught by a woman who knew and frequently associated with Camus.
It turned me on to my core belief: existentialism.
I recall reading "The Stranger" again, cover to cover while flying cross country to attend my mother's funeral.
Powerful experience.
"What, me worry?"
February 8th, 2013 at 4:48:55 PM
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Quote: MrV
It turned me on to my core belief: existentialism.
Camus has nothing on Jack Handy.
Quote:If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
February 8th, 2013 at 5:06:56 PM
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"The Gambler" is a must read for all gamblers...hits pretty close to home. What I remember about "Crime and Punishment" is that it really has that certain darkness & despair, that permeates Russian Lit. Even when things are going well they are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It is a hard read though, the biggest problem for me is that so many of the characters names are so similar. So I spent a lot of time figuring out who was talking to whom.
February 8th, 2013 at 6:33:22 PM
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Quote: MrVI took a college course, "French Literature in Translation," taught by a woman who knew and frequently associated with Camus.
Fighting BS one post at a time!
February 8th, 2013 at 7:12:33 PM
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I believe it was 1973.
She was French (as opposed to Algerian, as Camus was).
They knew each other around the time of WWII.
She once told a tale which, in passing, involved the French Resistance in Paris.
Iif anyone had the basis for concluding "nothing matters" it would be those who endured the madness of WWII.
A brilliant, piercing intellect, thoroughly grounded in reality.
She was French (as opposed to Algerian, as Camus was).
They knew each other around the time of WWII.
She once told a tale which, in passing, involved the French Resistance in Paris.
Iif anyone had the basis for concluding "nothing matters" it would be those who endured the madness of WWII.
A brilliant, piercing intellect, thoroughly grounded in reality.
"What, me worry?"
February 8th, 2013 at 9:49:43 PM
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Were in not for him, I would never consider myself a gentleman.
" A real gentleman, even if he loses everything he owns, must show no emotion. Money must be so far beneath a gentleman that it is hardly worth troubling about. "
" A real gentleman, even if he loses everything he owns, must show no emotion. Money must be so far beneath a gentleman that it is hardly worth troubling about. "
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
February 8th, 2013 at 11:48:16 PM
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Anyone remember the old movie "The Gambler" with James Caan? I think it was based on the novel because Caan quotes Dostoevsky in the movie ("2+2=5"). It is my favorite gambling movie. If anyone likes gambling movies, this one is worth looking for at Blockbuster (if these even exist any more). I doubt you'd find it on itunes.
February 9th, 2013 at 1:39:18 AM
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Quote: jonAnyone remember the old movie "The Gambler" with James Caan? I think it was based on the novel because Caan quotes Dostoevsky in the movie ("2+2=5"). It is my favorite gambling movie. If anyone likes gambling movies, this one is worth looking for at Blockbuster (if these even exist any more). I doubt you'd find it on itunes.
haven't seen it; checked Amazon, it's available in DVD.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
April 30th, 2015 at 12:50:10 PM
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Quote: Beethoven9thJust curious, are there any Dostoevsky fans here? If so, which of his novels is your favorite?
I love Dostoevsky. He is a great psychologist. As you probably already know he was also a great gambler. By "great" I mean that he had a passion for roulette and lost considerable time and money on it. Here is an excerpt from his wife's diary while he played roulette at casino Baden Baden
July 8, 1867:
I am so unfortunate as never before. Today we had 12 gold coins and 25 coins. Fyodor took 15 coins and went to play. After he had recovered 10 coins there, he came home, so we still had 55 coins. Soon after, he had gambled again and asked me for another 15 coins. I gave it to him, there were 4 coins left, because fifth would be used for lunch. After dinner he went to play, while I vainly asked at the post office about mail. Fyodor returned home just before me, very pale; as he was once again lost. He pleaded for the last 4 coins, I gave them to him, though I knew that he will lose them like the rest.
July 9, 1867:
We had 12 gold pieces again. Fyodor took 5 and went to the roulette. When he was gone, I was terribly sad. It was very clear to me that he would lose everything.
http://www.Roulette30.com
