The novel is composed of three storylines, each presented after the last in chunks. The first is set aboard a train and follows an unnamed young man. Much of the first storyline is epistolary, being largely made up of letters written by the young man aboard the train. He is a poor young man from Moscow who stole enough money from his hardworking mother to travel to St. Petersburg to study art. There he meets and falls in love with a well-off woman named Vera. But, he soon runs out of money despite Vera’s father having supported him for a while. When Vera’s father finds out that he is poor, he breaks contact between the two and the young man is forced to return to Moscow. The young man receives a letter from his sister saying that his mother is deathly-ill. He justifies returning to Moscow because he has run out of money by having received the letter. This storyline deals with themes of happiness, art, and social stratification and unification,
The second storyline concerns a middle-aged man, Nikolai Mikhailovich Levin. He is described as a reckless but kind-hearted buffoon. It is implied that the resultant havoc of the Emancipation of 1861 caused him to attempt to rob the grave of a man he believes to be his grandfather, who he believes left for him a pair of gold cufflinks. The second storyline follows his arrest, subsequent imprisonment, friendship with fellow inmate Kolya, eventual release, and redemption.
The third storyline revolves around the very prestigious and wealthy Kolmogorov family headed by Grigori Kolmogorov. The story is told through the point of view of Sergei Denisov, the only child of M. and Mme. Denisov who make up another wealthy family. The story heavily focuses on the friendship between Sergei and Kolmogorov’s son Casimir, and the relationship between Sergei and Casimir’s sister Lola who is five years older than Casimir. This storyline features the deterioration and ultimate demise of Casimir and Lola, though for very different reasons, and ultimately deals with themes of childhood, freedom, and friendship.
early on, it is revealed that Sergei is in love with Casimir. This is never discussed by the two of them but it is hinted that Casimir found out about this early.
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125,007 Literary Works • 672,815 Reviews
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),
Hi! I'm here to leave a quick review!!
First Impression: Hmm, well, all three of these seem like pretty interesting ones at first glance, but well, lemme get into a bit more detail for the individual ones in a bit.
Anyway let's get right to it,
Okay...well, that certainly seems like it could make for a pretty interesting story, as far as plotlines go, this is definitely something that sounds like it would be pretty unique here, and as far as plausibility goes, I think this series of events would certainly be something that's believable as a real thing that could happen to someone, a few things would have to line up exactly for it to happen, but its not totally crazy to see this happening. Hmm, well, that one is a pretty solid storyline so far, let's see what the other two have to offer I suppose.
Alright...well this one is certainly a little bit weirder than the previous one there, its still something that is relatively within the realm of what you can imagine happening as a person but of course this does seem to be a little bit more far fetched. The backstory for this person certainly seems to have been well thought out already on this as well, which is als another plus, but hmm, well, again I think this could also be a pretty interesting little story. I would certainly read both of these things here. Well, moving onto the third one then.
Hmm, well another family drama type story we have here, hmm, well this one also sounds like it could probably be interesting, but hmm personally I don't think this is along the lines of what I would usually read but heyy, its still a pretty cool one...and once again it looks like you've come up with a decent amount of backstory here and this is one of those stories that will be very character driven and based on their emotions.
Aaaaand that's it for this one.
Overall: Overall, this was a pretty cool set of stories here...if you do pull these off, they certainly sound like they could be quite good. I would personally read the first two as well, although the third one doesn't sound like quite my speed.
As always remember to take what you think was helpful and forget the rest.
Stay Safe
Harry
I like the idea of having different story lines within a book, it makes the book interesting and gives it a bigger line of interest. Also, I love the second story line about the man who is planning to rob a grave for cuff links, I really want to know if he succeeded or if he got caught. All in all, I really want to hear more. The story line is just so intense, and lets you into different perspectives of people's stories; I am looking forward to reading some more of your work and I also hope that you'll look into reading mine. Please continue writing, you have a strong passion for it.
Yes books with different storylines are great and all, but be cautious of those books that do a poor job with it. I imagine it difficult to write like that which is why I struggle a bit.
Levin does get caught while doing the grave robbing, as it says in the summary. As to whether or not he gets the cufflinks in the end, is a secret.
Thanks very much for you comments. I have 6 chapters from the novel posted here in case you really are interested, but read them not all at once.
I also look forward to reading and reviewing your own work, since it sounds like you too are passionate.
Lemons
this is my first time reading only the summary of a novel and giving a review on it. i don't know exactly how to do it, but, like i said what we do here- i will try my best.
first of all, the title. where is it? what will be the title? you didn't mention it. but it was really very important. it would give me a clearer idea about the main theme of the novel.
A big important part of the first storyline is passion too. His passion for art. I hope you have it in your mind. And, you didn't mention about the girlfriend. The novel must have her perspective of the separation too.. even if it's a bit. Why did Vera's father help him if he knew that he was solvent?
The 2nd storyline is really amazing and I myself wanna dig a grave and see what's there.. But did he get the cufflinks or not?
The 3rd storyline is quite interesting. However, the two relationships - the one between Sergei and Casimir and the one between Sergei and Lola- kind of put me in a confusion cus it's not hinted what is the type of the relationship between Sergei and Lola. Is it a romantic one? If it is, then .. Sergei a bisexual? again, the age difference makes it a bit more interesting to me cus I love that part.
Unfortunately, you didn't mention the philosophical theme that is connecting these three storylines. or the philosophical themes expressed in the each storyline. the hint would be great.
that's all.
Hi,
(spoiler alert)
First, thanks very much for reviewing this summary. I appreciate your review quite a bit, and if you are willing, I look forward to collaborating.
Yes, I am fully aware of passion of the young man. The girlfriend I intend to keep silent. She is not important; it is only the young man's conception of the girlfriend that is important. This is my view.
Second. Ahh whether or not he got the cufflinks is a secret! (and a very important one too, especially for the philosophy under the novel).
It is not important whether Sergei is gay or bisexual in ANY way whatsoever. If you read the novel thinking he is bisexual or gay will limit your understanding of the complexity of Sergei, psychologically. I did not mention the relationship between Sergei and Lola, that's true, but be assured that it is not the same as with Casimir. Once the novel is released (and a few chapters are already), this will be open to debate (whether Sergei is sexually attracted to Lola or not), and it is rather complex. I will say, however, and very briefly, that Sergei and Lola do have sex at some point.
There are many themes and some are more salient in certain storylines. The first storyline focuses on art and what art is. The second on friendship, and the third on friendship and freedom. But they all have this in common: what is freedom and how should we react to it? Why are we unhappy sometimes, and how can we be happy? These are the questions the novel addresses, very seriously, and with literary complexity.
Thanks again very much,
Lemons
you are welcome. and thanks for clearing things up.
(ps. the title is "Hell is Other People" (Le Enfer c'est les Autres). It is taken from French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre's play "No Exit")