turgenyev, rostovsky, leskov and belinsky

[ae]

can you tel me anything abut any of them?[color=Red

[Alyosha]

Belinsky was a famous critic who championed Dostoevsky. They had somewhat of a falling out.

Turgenev was a contemporary writer who wrote, "Fathers and Sons". "Demons" satirizes Turgenev, and it talks about similar themes. "Fathers and Sons" is a good book.

I think they are all contemporaries of Dostoevsky.
Fyodor talks about Leskov in his, "Writer's Diary".

Maybe someone can recommend a good work by one of Dostoevsky's lesser known contemporaries?

[ae]

Whe Dostoevsky's first novel came he was touted as the next Gogol. They are both giants of russian literature but who is thought to be greater now?

[Golyadkin]

Hey, you know Gogol! Please become a member (we need more) and go to the Gogol thread I started. I want someone I can discuss him with.
Oh, and I think Dostoyevsky is thought to be greater overall than Gogol. But they're both excellent.

[Ae]

i was discussing dead souls with my father and he seemed to have loved the novel,
can anyone tell me a little bit about the book???

[Alyosha]

That is an amazing book.

Are you Russian?

The book is literally about Chichikov's quest to purchase the rights to dead souls (serfs). It has a lot of humor and satire about the Russian upper class. Dostoevsky's "the Double" is similar to the descriptive style of Gogol. This book is so difficult to describe because there are so many levels. It is kind of like having to describe Hamlet.

From an American perspective, it is even similar to the criticism of materialism and greed in early 20th American literature.

[Golyadkin]

In my experiece, many of Gogol's works, such as The Nose, have similar characteristics to your example of Hamlet. I saw Hamlet preformed and, although excellent, it is difficult to describe. I look forward to getting through the multitude of other books I have on my list of "must read" so that I may read Dead Souls.
Two stupid, semi-related questions:
1. Did you mean early 20th century American literature? (sorry, but I'm kind of a grammer freak)
2. If so, were you refering to books like The Great Gatsby?

[Alyosha]

Yes, exactly, 19th/20th century. Some good American authors are Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser, and Fitzgerald.

The style of realism/naturalism is very much similar to Gogol's.

[Golyadkin]

I agree.

[Worm]

I've read 'Fathers and Sons', 'Rodin' and a few short stories of Toergenjew.
Great books.  It seems to me Rodin is quite unknown, which surprises me because i thought the story was quite superb.  I definitly advise Rodin to people.  Rodin is a short story, excellent intro for people to Toergenjew.

Toergenjew is the kind of guy that loves nature; trees, plants, flowers, and stuff.  His characters usually come close to some spiritual peak, but then fall in love with some woman and get distracted in that direction.  Also occasionally a musical instrument is expressed in his words, which i found quite nice.  In "Fathers and Sons" you'll find someone seriously contemplating the life eternal.
Less complex than Dostojewski.  When i compare Dostojewski with Toergenjew, it feels like Dostojewski is the real deal .. Toergenjew is weaker material.  

[Alyosha]

AE, can you join this board?

We need more people.