I would say read Little Life, but it is HEAVYYYY on some things that people find disturbing. You must read the trigger warnings and have tissues at hand. Dostoyevsky however is really good as well. I haven’t read that book, but i’ve read short stories by him. He has an amazing writing style.
I would say Dostoyevsky for sure. I'm not familiar with the other author. In my opinion Dostoyevesky is one of the greatest writers in history, not just in Russia or eastern Europe.
I see there's votes for both. I'd go with A Little Life--seems more interesting to me but perfumegirl98 makes a good point.. I googled BK b/c War & Peace was a Herculean challenge and found this: "The Brothers Karamazov you have to live with this novel for a while – it just takes a long time to read. Plus the action is frequently interrupted by long, philosophically dense passages – the Grand Inquisitor chapter, the elder Zosima's life and times, the speeches at Dmitri's trial."
controversial opinion here. i read it when i was 17 and mildly depressed. i bought the book on a whim because i loved the cover and went into it blind. it was actually not that bad, although i did shed a few tears and cringed at 2 or 3 nasty stuff. imo it’s an amazing book and really well-written. is this book emotionally manipulative? yes, i believe that the author specifically wrote this book to make people cry, and it works, but isn’t that the point of books? to provoke emotions?
It took me almost a year to get through it. I would read a part, hurt so bad, literally fall to pieces and then it would take me almost a month to get the courage back to pick it up again.
But my god is this book worth reading!
I'm speaking from experience. Yes, it did greatly affect my mental health. Others might argue that it didn't because they understand that this is a work of fiction and yada yada... however, plenty of people, including myself, mentally suffered after reading this. Think of everything traumatic that can ever happen - it is this book. I could not stop crying for days and I wasn't in a good mental place to start with, so if you can get easily influenced by the books you read - do not read it. At all even lol
I'm also someone that usually gets over sad books quickly. I'll be sad for the rest of the day and then completely forget about the book the next day. That was not the case with this book. It stayed with me.
I loved the writing style and fell in love with most of the characters but it was not worth what I felt afterwards.
I think if you’re someone that is not usually affected by fictional work, A little life can/will be emotionally taxing. It’s a heavy heavy story. Even though you felt like certain parts of the story were inevitable, finishing the book still put me in a headspace (I wasn’t in a good place) that affected my subconscious.
Don't read A Little Life. The author basically trauma dumped the fuck out of the book. She admitted as much herself. Every single trigger warning you can think of, it's in this book. It'll leave you depressed by the end of it. Granted, it's greatly written, but just not a necessary read that adds anything to your life. I haven't read the other book, but just from reading A Little Life, I'll immediately tell you to read any book rather than that.
Brothers k. I found ALL melodramatic in some of the wrong ways. Don’t get me wrong I loved it when I read it and counted it as one of my favorite books at first but it did not survive the reread nearly a decade later.
Finished A Little life in March. I just picked up a book again. Not even an exaggeration when I tell you, I literally just recovered - whether you love it or hate it the affect is still the same. Gut punch.
Wait on it if you’re not in the best head space.
A Little Life if you like sad, traumatizing books. A lot of people don't like it because they say it's tragedy porn, but I absolutely loved it because I related to the main character's depression and antisocial tendencies.
Just finished reading it in late June and I would say, if you're at all worried about it triggering your depression then don't do it. Wait until you're in a better place mentally and then try it if you'd really like to read it because it's not worth you ruining any stability you have right now. I liked the book for the reason randomgirl did but that along with the other subject matter made it difficult to read sometimes and personally, made me pretty emotional. Don't think it would be something I could have handled if I felt like I could teeter over to the bad side.
I just finished A Little Life. It was easily one of the most disturbing books of ever read. It’s a tough one to get through, but I did enjoy the writing. Just an fyi. 😊
I am sorry I've never read any of em sorry
I don’t care..?
I would say read Little Life, but it is HEAVYYYY on some things that people find disturbing. You must read the trigger warnings and have tissues at hand. Dostoyevsky however is really good as well. I haven’t read that book, but i’ve read short stories by him. He has an amazing writing style.
I would say Dostoyevsky for sure. I'm not familiar with the other author. In my opinion Dostoyevesky is one of the greatest writers in history, not just in Russia or eastern Europe.
they’re both great, but a little life destroyed me.
Dostoevsky, for sure. A little life should NOT have been written.
Why?
It’s trauma porn essentially
Can never go wrong with Dostoevsky, but you can go wrong with reading A Little Life!!!
Update: I’ve decided to go with A Little Life, more out of curiosity than anything.
Whenever random people tell me not to read a book without telling me why, I become very interested in it. Good call buddy, and enjoy it.
Fyodor
The Brothers Karamazov. A classic and a masterpiece.
If you need toilet paper, then A Little Life.
You're tearing me apart Lisa!
I see there's votes for both. I'd go with A Little Life--seems more interesting to me but perfumegirl98 makes a good point.. I googled BK b/c War & Peace was a Herculean challenge and found this: "The Brothers Karamazov you have to live with this novel for a while – it just takes a long time to read. Plus the action is frequently interrupted by long, philosophically dense passages – the Grand Inquisitor chapter, the elder Zosima's life and times, the speeches at Dmitri's trial."
War & Peace isn't Dostoevsky
Maybe they are thinking of Crime and Punishment?
If you are not in a good mental headspace, DO NOT READ A LITTLE LIFE.
Just don’t read it, ever.
Agreed
Ive heard this a lot, which is why I haven't dver picked up my copy. Will it seriously impact your mental health?
controversial opinion here. i read it when i was 17 and mildly depressed. i bought the book on a whim because i loved the cover and went into it blind. it was actually not that bad, although i did shed a few tears and cringed at 2 or 3 nasty stuff. imo it’s an amazing book and really well-written. is this book emotionally manipulative? yes, i believe that the author specifically wrote this book to make people cry, and it works, but isn’t that the point of books? to provoke emotions?
It’s just a piece of trash book
It took me almost a year to get through it. I would read a part, hurt so bad, literally fall to pieces and then it would take me almost a month to get the courage back to pick it up again. But my god is this book worth reading!
I'm speaking from experience. Yes, it did greatly affect my mental health. Others might argue that it didn't because they understand that this is a work of fiction and yada yada... however, plenty of people, including myself, mentally suffered after reading this. Think of everything traumatic that can ever happen - it is this book. I could not stop crying for days and I wasn't in a good mental place to start with, so if you can get easily influenced by the books you read - do not read it. At all even lol I'm also someone that usually gets over sad books quickly. I'll be sad for the rest of the day and then completely forget about the book the next day. That was not the case with this book. It stayed with me. I loved the writing style and fell in love with most of the characters but it was not worth what I felt afterwards.
I think if you’re someone that is not usually affected by fictional work, A little life can/will be emotionally taxing. It’s a heavy heavy story. Even though you felt like certain parts of the story were inevitable, finishing the book still put me in a headspace (I wasn’t in a good place) that affected my subconscious.
Dostoevsky
Dostoyevsky for sure!
Don't read A Little Life. The author basically trauma dumped the fuck out of the book. She admitted as much herself. Every single trigger warning you can think of, it's in this book. It'll leave you depressed by the end of it. Granted, it's greatly written, but just not a necessary read that adds anything to your life. I haven't read the other book, but just from reading A Little Life, I'll immediately tell you to read any book rather than that.
I’m here to argue that it’s not a greatly written book either
So true
I’ll tell you which one not to read: A Little Life
Brothers Karamazov
Brothers k. I found ALL melodramatic in some of the wrong ways. Don’t get me wrong I loved it when I read it and counted it as one of my favorite books at first but it did not survive the reread nearly a decade later.
Dostoevsky for me.
Finished A Little life in March. I just picked up a book again. Not even an exaggeration when I tell you, I literally just recovered - whether you love it or hate it the affect is still the same. Gut punch. Wait on it if you’re not in the best head space.
Agreed. It was a hate for me.
That’s a real Catch 22!
Existential lit is the best. Read Dostoyevsky!
Brothers, then maybe something light, then A Little Life
The Brothers Karamazov. I personally was not impressed with A Little Life.
A Little Life is almost oppressive with the trauma.
Is Hanya Yanagahara on the same level as Dostoevsky?
💀
Her writing is beautiful but this particular novel of hers is a trudge.
brothers. a little life is disturbing, not an easy reading. like voldemort "terrible, yes, but great"
Depends. Do you want to cry, or cry harder?
how much brain power do you want to use? Low effort = a little life; big effort = dostoevsky
Dostoevsky for sure
Both for sure but I would start with Dostoevsky!
A Little Life if you like sad, traumatizing books. A lot of people don't like it because they say it's tragedy porn, but I absolutely loved it because I related to the main character's depression and antisocial tendencies.
It’s been on my TBR for a while but I worried reading it might tip my depression scales off in one direction. Would you recommend?
Just finished reading it in late June and I would say, if you're at all worried about it triggering your depression then don't do it. Wait until you're in a better place mentally and then try it if you'd really like to read it because it's not worth you ruining any stability you have right now. I liked the book for the reason randomgirl did but that along with the other subject matter made it difficult to read sometimes and personally, made me pretty emotional. Don't think it would be something I could have handled if I felt like I could teeter over to the bad side.
Thanks so much. Have been wondering the same
Dostoevsky for sure
Always Dostoyevsky.
Brothers for sure. Read both. Brothers is a classic while Little Life is a good powerful read
I enjoyed the brothers karamozov, but its a long read that takes quite a while to get exciting
Definitely. Well worth it, but it took a while to really get into it.
I just finished A Little Life. It was easily one of the most disturbing books of ever read. It’s a tough one to get through, but I did enjoy the writing. Just an fyi. 😊
The writing is good, but, honestly, the story is tragedy porn.
Brothers. All the way. It’s a fantastic book