The Double (1846)

http://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/recent-reads-the-double-... ( )

Having read and enjoyed "Crime and Punishment" years ago, I really looked forward to reading "The Double". I found, reading this book was akin to walking through sludge in a pair of bedroom slippers.

Dostoevsky introduces the reader to Yakov Petrovitch Golyadkin, an office worker living in Moscow. Not only are we introduced to him, but embark on an often frustrating and confusing journey through Golyadkin's mind, as he's psychologically falling apart. This mental collapse resulted in this reader feeling trapped a "maze-like" story, where twists and turns left me confused, having to reread sentences and even backing up to reread pages to see where I had become confused (and never finding the source of confusion). Dostoevsky was skillful in his manner of writing, as I can only infer, what the mind of a person who is losing theirs, endures. As I read, I felt physically bound to Golyadkin, as if tethered to him This further resulted in feeling even more constricted, confined, frustrated and confused. I don't know if Dostoevsky intended for the reader to experience such emotion and physical connection, however, it was my experience and found it brilliant, although hating it at the same time.

Adding to this frustration was the constant repetition of the names. Nevermind Russian is difficult to roll off this American reader's tongue, was it really necessary to repeat names over and over, and to have to say first, middle and last each time? Perhaps this is typical of Russian dialogue during this time period, however, it added to the chaotic nature of the story.

I could never determine whether "the double" was an actual person, or one drawn in Golyadkin's mind. Although other characters seemed to interact with "Junior", was it because he was real or was it Golyadkin's perception of the situation? Could this uncertainty be another of Dostoevsky's crafts, further enhancing the chaotic state of Golyadkin's mind? Whatever the case, I found it frustrating to not know, but ok with not knowing, as it fit with the story.

I cannot say I enjoyed this book, as it was difficult and not comfortable or relaxing, which is why I read. It was, however, skillful and emotional, also why I read. As a book, it fulfilled its duty to escort me to another world and time, taking me on a journey I otherwise would not have experienced. In that sense, "The Double" was a worthy read.

Score: 3 ( )

finished! Whew! Review to follow ( )

The double by Fyodor Dostoevsky was not an easy book to read. I was "lucky" in the sense that my edition (Great short works of Dostoyevsky) did not have an extensive introduction. However, as a trained philologist, one does not come entirely free from preconceptions to a literary work like this, and these preconceptions do make things easier, at least not while reading.

The story is that of a clerk, whose life is "invaded" by a persona, virtually his double. Especially in the beginning, the introduction of this double is so masterly, that I experienced a loss of orientation, and switch of perspective, which made me uncertain whether I was "seeing" through the eyes of the "original" Golyadkin (later dubbed "senior") or the double (later dubbed "junior").

The intrusive Golyadkin junior is perceived by senior as a threat to his position and his existence. Various scenes are played out at the office, in which junior is supposedly trying to replace senior, superseding senior by outstanding performance or making senior look bad in the eyes of his (their) superiors.

Towards the end of this short novel, the reader presented with a logical resolution, namely that Golyadkin has all along been suffering from delusions, and experienced a mental breakdown. The final page superbly reminds us of Philip Roth's Portnoy's complaint.

However, another way of reading is possible. Last year, I read Notes from the underground in which a destitute character refers to himself as an insignificant "insect", a total nobody, as opposed to a "hero". The image of the insect made me think of Kafka's Die Verwandlung. While a mental breakdown, and schizophrenic delusion is the most rational explanation for Golyadkin's behaviour, it would still be possible to interpret his visions subjectively, as an externalised threat. For quite a while, reading The double I felt that Golyadkin senior projected his own image on a new employee, an new clerk at the office, equally insignificant as himself. Many of Golyadkin's fears and frantic behaviour to prove himself worthy, or true, could be explained if he felt threatened in his existence by a newcomer who would try to take his place, or possible even oust him. This type of situation is not uncommon in the work place, and as a phenomenon it may have been novel in the mid-nineteenth century.

A difficult read with a lot to think about, I will probably need to reread it some other time. ( )

This is Dostoyevsky's second work, before his conviction for treason, near escape from execution and years of forced labour.

I enjoyed this short book, which portrays the decline of Golyadkin, an office worker whose life is thrown into confusion and disaster by the actions of his exact double.

The storyline is confusing at times, as it appears that the most likely cause for 'the hero's" decline is a mental breakdown, and the story is narrated from his perspective.

My overall impression of the protagonist is that he has an initial manic phase (hyperactivity, mulitiple shopping experiences, mental overactivity), and becomes increasingly confused, with fragmented thinking and paranoia.

The arrival of his double 'in all ways' , perhaps signals his psychotic break - even though it appears that other characters acknowledge this double. This fact could be explained by the altered perception of Golyadkin, as the story is told from his perspective.

Golyadkin continues to act in agitated, explosive and unexplainable ways, unable to interpret the actions of people around him, with fragmented thoughts and irrationality. The mind of a psychotic or manic depressive with psychosis?

It fittingly ends with Golyadkin being forcibly taken away by the doctor, Ivanovitch. As he is driven away in the carriage, Golyadin expresses horror at his perceived transformation of this medic:

"Suddenly he almost swooned: two fiery eyes were staring at him in the darkness, and those two eyes were glittering with malignant, hellish glee. :That is not Krestyan Ivanovitch! Who is it? Or is it he? It is! It is Krestyan Ivanovitch, but not the old Krestyan Ivanovitch, It's another Krestyan Ivanovitch. It's a terrible Krestyan Ivanovitch!.." ( )