tsar
Apart from being a revered classic Crime and Punishment like all of Dostoevsky’s writings has become a staple in booktok recommendations (particularly among the moody-introspective crowd), so I had to see for myself what hooks so many people to this.
The book is divided into 6 parts and each part reads like it is an act from a play.
Dostoevsky’s writing is hard to fully understand as there are many complex internal monologues and dream-like sequences, but he sure knows how to keep your attention during any climax. So much to the point that it is hard not to be on edge during the last chapter of each part.
It is a psychological drama, that aims to capture the “why” behind dubious human actions - be it a murder or a cunning plot to take advantage of someone.
But does it get too theoretical at times? Yes, as much as I enjoyed the psychoanalysis of Raskolnikov in the beginning, it got overbearing after a point.
I understand the historical relevance of this book and appreciate the dramatic story and morally grey characters; yet the convoluted writing made me feel a bit disconnected.
Apart from being a revered classic Crime and Punishment like all of Dostoevsky’s writings has become a staple in booktok recommendations (particularly among the moody-introspective crowd), so I had to see for myself what hooks so many people to this.
The book is divided into 6 parts and each part reads like it is an act from a play.
Dostoevsky’s writing is hard to fully understand as there are many complex internal monologues and dream-like sequences, but he sure knows how to keep your attention during any climax. So much to the point that it is hard not to be on edge during the last chapter of each part.
It is a psychological drama, that aims to capture the “why” behind dubious human actions - be it a murder or a cunning plot to take advantage of someone.
But does it get too theoretical at times? Yes, as much as I enjoyed the psychoanalysis of Raskolnikov in the beginning, it got overbearing after a point.
I understand the historical relevance of this book and appreciate the dramatic story and morally grey characters; yet the convoluted writing made me feel a bit disconnected.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is fine at best, forgettable at its worst.
It follows a woman in the eighteenth century, striving to become a doctor when everyone and everything around her is telling her to give it up, because it is just a pipe dream.
That’s a strong hook and a solid plot.
I like some elements which it touches upon - self doubt, asexuality, internalized misogyny. All of these themes are explored in Felicity’s (the aforementioned woman) narrative.
There’s substance there and the book at least in the first half sticks to this.
In the second half though, it is as if the pacing decided to go on 2x speed and the character motivations aren’t as fleshed out as they were in the beginning.
It is not bad - I really enjoyed some parts of it but I’d prefer the first book (Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue) over this one.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is fine at best, forgettable at its worst.
It follows a woman in the eighteenth century, striving to become a doctor when everyone and everything around her is telling her to give it up, because it is just a pipe dream.
That’s a strong hook and a solid plot.
I like some elements which it touches upon - self doubt, asexuality, internalized misogyny. All of these themes are explored in Felicity’s (the aforementioned woman) narrative.
There’s substance there and the book at least in the first half sticks to this.
In the second half though, it is as if the pacing decided to go on 2x speed and the character motivations aren’t as fleshed out as they were in the beginning.
It is not bad - I really enjoyed some parts of it but I’d prefer the first book (Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue) over this one.
Let me preface this review by mentioning that I am a total beginner when it comes to art history or to be fair art in general, so naturally I was skeptical to pick up this book because I wasn’t sure that I’ll enjoy it as it might get too highbrow for me.
Well, I am glad to say that I was wrong and this has to be one of the best non-fiction books I have read. (The number’s not that huge so not a big deal :p)
Now onto the review, Story of Art was published in 1950 but it is a book that one can still understand because it is a timeless telling of European Art. It is not just understandable but really fun because the author takes you on a journey from the conception of art to how the society around it shaped its evolution, shows you how art can never be understood completely but can be appreciated wholeheartedly and interpreted in different ways.
Also, it is an amazing collection of great art trivia that I lapped up like it was a daily soap opera.
In addition to the historical journey that the author Ernest Gombrich takes you on, there’s a message there about how art is something that we, as humans, will always create. It leaves you with the following beautiful ending quote which is more so relevant now, with the advent of AI generated images and how the art that artists spend their lifetime honing can be regenerated within a span of seconds.
“Artists, we trust, will always be born. But whether there will also be that depends to no small extent on ourselves, their public. By our indifference or our interest, by our prejudice or our understanding we may yet decide the issue. It is we who must see to it that the thread of tradition does not break and that there remain opportunities for the artist to add to the precious string of pearls that is our heirloom from the past.”
It left me speechless and astonished.
There are a few shortcomings of the book though like even though it is called Story of Art, mainly European art movements are discussed at length with passing mentions made on the historical context happening in the other parts of the world but the author acknowledges this in his prologue and well the book is published in 1950, they didn’t quite have the extensive resources required for other continents.
Still, it is truly the best primer for someone looking to learn about art.
Let me preface this review by mentioning that I am a total beginner when it comes to art history or to be fair art in general, so naturally I was skeptical to pick up this book because I wasn’t sure that I’ll enjoy it as it might get too highbrow for me.
Well, I am glad to say that I was wrong and this has to be one of the best non-fiction books I have read. (The number’s not that huge so not a big deal :p)
Now onto the review, Story of Art was published in 1950 but it is a book that one can still understand because it is a timeless telling of European Art. It is not just understandable but really fun because the author takes you on a journey from the conception of art to how the society around it shaped its evolution, shows you how art can never be understood completely but can be appreciated wholeheartedly and interpreted in different ways.
Also, it is an amazing collection of great art trivia that I lapped up like it was a daily soap opera.
In addition to the historical journey that the author Ernest Gombrich takes you on, there’s a message there about how art is something that we, as humans, will always create. It leaves you with the following beautiful ending quote which is more so relevant now, with the advent of AI generated images and how the art that artists spend their lifetime honing can be regenerated within a span of seconds.
“Artists, we trust, will always be born. But whether there will also be that depends to no small extent on ourselves, their public. By our indifference or our interest, by our prejudice or our understanding we may yet decide the issue. It is we who must see to it that the thread of tradition does not break and that there remain opportunities for the artist to add to the precious string of pearls that is our heirloom from the past.”
It left me speechless and astonished.
There are a few shortcomings of the book though like even though it is called Story of Art, mainly European art movements are discussed at length with passing mentions made on the historical context happening in the other parts of the world but the author acknowledges this in his prologue and well the book is published in 1950, they didn’t quite have the extensive resources required for other continents.
Still, it is truly the best primer for someone looking to learn about art.
Let me preface this review by mentioning that I am a total beginner when it comes to art history or to be fair art in general, so naturally I was skeptical to pick up this book because I wasn’t sure that I’ll enjoy it as it might get too highbrow for me.
Well, I am glad to say that I was wrong and this has to be one of the best non-fiction books I have read. (The number’s not that huge so not a big deal :p)
Now onto the review, Story of Art was published in 1950 but it is a book that one can still understand because it is a timeless telling of European Art. It is not just understandable but really fun because the author takes you on a journey from the conception of art to how the society around it shaped its evolution, shows you how art can never be understood completely but can be appreciated wholeheartedly and interpreted in different ways.
Also, it is an amazing collection of great art trivia that I lapped up like it was a daily soap opera.
In addition to the historical journey that the author Ernest Gombrich takes you on, there’s a message there about how art is something that we, as humans, will always create. It leaves you with the following beautiful ending quote which is more so relevant now, with the advent of AI generated images and how the art that artists spend their lifetime honing can be regenerated within a span of seconds.
“Artists, we trust, will always be born. But whether there will also be that depends to no small extent on ourselves, their public. By our indifference or our interest, by our prejudice or our understanding we may yet decide the issue. It is we who must see to it that the thread of tradition does not break and that there remain opportunities for the artist to add to the precious string of pearls that is our heirloom from the past.”
It left me speechless and astonished.
There are a few shortcomings of the book though like even though it is called Story of Art, mainly European art movements are discussed at length with passing mentions made on the historical context happening in the other parts of the world but the author acknowledges this in his prologue and well the book is published in 1950, they didn’t quite have the extensive resources required for other continents.
Still, it is truly the best primer for someone looking to learn about art.
Let me preface this review by mentioning that I am a total beginner when it comes to art history or to be fair art in general, so naturally I was skeptical to pick up this book because I wasn’t sure that I’ll enjoy it as it might get too highbrow for me.
Well, I am glad to say that I was wrong and this has to be one of the best non-fiction books I have read. (The number’s not that huge so not a big deal :p)
Now onto the review, Story of Art was published in 1950 but it is a book that one can still understand because it is a timeless telling of European Art. It is not just understandable but really fun because the author takes you on a journey from the conception of art to how the society around it shaped its evolution, shows you how art can never be understood completely but can be appreciated wholeheartedly and interpreted in different ways.
Also, it is an amazing collection of great art trivia that I lapped up like it was a daily soap opera.
In addition to the historical journey that the author Ernest Gombrich takes you on, there’s a message there about how art is something that we, as humans, will always create. It leaves you with the following beautiful ending quote which is more so relevant now, with the advent of AI generated images and how the art that artists spend their lifetime honing can be regenerated within a span of seconds.
“Artists, we trust, will always be born. But whether there will also be that depends to no small extent on ourselves, their public. By our indifference or our interest, by our prejudice or our understanding we may yet decide the issue. It is we who must see to it that the thread of tradition does not break and that there remain opportunities for the artist to add to the precious string of pearls that is our heirloom from the past.”
It left me speechless and astonished.
There are a few shortcomings of the book though like even though it is called Story of Art, mainly European art movements are discussed at length with passing mentions made on the historical context happening in the other parts of the world but the author acknowledges this in his prologue and well the book is published in 1950, they didn’t quite have the extensive resources required for other continents.
Still, it is truly the best primer for someone looking to learn about art.
This is considered as a modern classic and it has interesting ideas about identity but it feels like the plot is meandering.
I finished this book and the first thought I had - this is it?
Don't get me wrong this might be clever, have a lot of symbolism and themes about belonging but it is so so boring.
There wasn't a single moment where I was engaged in the story.
This is clearly not my cup of tea.
Really need to read something more engaging to get interested in reading again.
This is considered as a modern classic and it has interesting ideas about identity but it feels like the plot is meandering.
I finished this book and the first thought I had - this is it?
Don't get me wrong this might be clever, have a lot of symbolism and themes about belonging but it is so so boring.
There wasn't a single moment where I was engaged in the story.
This is clearly not my cup of tea.
Really need to read something more engaging to get interested in reading again.