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Which Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky books have you read?

Let's talk about some Russian Literature here.

War and Peace: 

This book by Leo Tolstoy changed me. I shall never forget it. Yeah, it's long and not an easy read, but it's worth it.

Anna Karenina:

    A tragic tale depicting the doomed love affair of the titular character, Anna Karenina. After War and Peace, I had to read the other major work by Leo Tolstoy. I like this one too.
    Crime and Punishment: Having explored the major works of one of the greatest Russian authors, of course, I wanted more. So, I turned to none other than Fyodor Dostoyevsky. From what I found, most people who have read Dostoyevsky like Crime and Punishment, and it's my favorite Dostoyevsky book too. It's fascinating how you find yourself empathizing with a cold-blooded murderer.
    The Brothers Karamazov: Another book by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, blending elements of crime, morality, and spirituality. Though it didn't have a similar impact as Crime and Punishment, I still enjoyed reading it.
    The Idiot: Another one by Fyodor Dostoyevsky revolves around the life of Prince Myshkin, an innocent and compassionate man, as he navigates the intricate social dynamics and moral dilemmas of 19th-century Russian society. Note to self: Don't be an idiot, else you'll end up in an asylum.

  1. More in the next one. Happy reading!

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