I Read Therefore I Am discussion

Comment as soon as you like , but please hide any spoilers.

It's quite shocking to read a persons wealth described in "souls" rather than income or land. Presumably it's the serf count, Russia really was a quite medieval country a long time after the rest of Europe had become "enlightened"

It's bizarre isn't it - the title of Gogol's " Dead Souls" which I've been meaning to read for ages, apparently refers to the practice of leaving the names of dead serfs on the property register to make people appear richer !
I'm loving The Idiot so far - the rules of normal behaviour seem to be entirely different in Russia - or at least in Russian novels. Perhaps partly because , as you said, they were, in many ways, still living in the Middle Ages.

Just got to the end of chapter 11 - what are these people like! Could they behave any more outrageously?
I can feel myself going all maiden auntish at all the unbridled emotions and general wild behaviour - "calm down!" I want to say, "and have a nice cup of chamomile tea. "

By you're steaming ahead Lee. I'm not in that far yet.

I've just finished chapter VII where The Prince is giving his potted history and a description of his nature to mrs Epanchin and daughters. I hate to say this but he sounds very Michael Jacksonish, surely not!!!

I had sudden visions of him spinning round wearing one sparkly glove then! But I see what you mean :0)
I've finished part one and was totally enthralled - Russia seems to be an entirely different world - I like the Churchill quote on Russia "It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma" - and that sums up what I think about the character's motives and general behaviour.

Oooh I'd heard that quote but didn't know what it referred to or who said it so thanks!
I am very intrigued about this book, can't wait to start it...

Just about to start chapter XIII and really enjoying this book. The characters are so entertaining and act in such a bizarre way you don't know what is going to happen next.

Just finished part one last night and I've really enjoyed reading it. What an interesting bunch of characters and what strange things they do! Can't wait to find out what they also next.

I've just caught up and finished Part One and.... what on earth just happened? Does anyone have any idea what Natasia Philipovna is thinking? Or the rest of them for that matter, they are all completely mental! I'm enjoying it but it's a bit like watching a train wreck isn't it? I've no idea where the story is going so will probably have to start on Part Two quite soon just to find out what craziness will happen next.

They're all as mad as mad things aren't they.

Which translation is everybody reading? Just cos I'm not sure I like the one I've got but it was the almost free version for the kindle.

Mine is on the kindle too but it doesn't seem to mention a translator! it's by Waxkeep Publishing.

Yeah I had to go onto Amazon to find out the translator's name (which I've forgotten again oops!) so yours might be the same as mine - how are you finding it?

I think it's OK but I've really nothing to compare it with and I haven't started Part 2 yet. What don't you like about it?

Mine is by Alan Myers - it's a newish translation - very readable

I haven't got anything to compare it to either so not really sure - just feels a little flat if you know what I mean? I'll keep reading and try and put my finger on it - I can't decide if it's the book or the translator.

I think it might be the translation because I'm finding it anything but flat - Totally outrageous and shocking in fact.