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Rating: 
Summary: Not the best of Dostoyevsky's works
Review: "Memoirs from the House of the Dead" is the story of Alexander Petrovich, a convict, and it is based on the author's own experiences in 19th century Siberia. Warning: This book was meant to be gloomy, and so it certainly is. The novel is not for those who are looking for entertainment; it is depressing, and, at least in my fancy, the scenery seemed to be grey-tinted at all times... Dialogue is almost non-existent, which makes the book a bit of a difficult read, slow-pacing, sometimes even monotonous.However, the story does make you think, and Dostoyevsky's books can never be bad - I gave this one only three stars because I am comparing it to his other works and because I think it lacks that certain 'something' that can make even the gloomiest stories curiously captivating - such as "Crime and Punishment," one of Dostoyevsky's best works, which is far from cheerful! "The House of the Dead" is worth reading, but I would not recommend it to someone to whom Dostoyevsky is a fresh acquaintance.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best of Dostoyevsky's works
Review: "Memoirs from the House of the Dead" is the story of Alexander Petrovich, a convict, and it is based on the author's own experiences in 19th century Siberia. Warning: This book was meant to be gloomy, and so it certainly is. The novel is not for those who are looking for entertainment; it is depressing, and, at least in my fancy, the scenery seemed to be grey-tinted at all times... Dialogue is almost non-existent, which makes the book a bit of a difficult read, slow-pacing, sometimes even monotonous. However, the story does make you think, and Dostoyevsky's books can never be bad - I gave this one only three stars because I am comparing it to his other works and because I think it lacks that certain 'something' that can make even the gloomiest stories curiously captivating - such as "Crime and Punishment," one of Dostoyevsky's best works, which is far from cheerful! "The House of the Dead" is worth reading, but I would not recommend it to someone to whom Dostoyevsky is a fresh acquaintance.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes
Review: Compared to D's other books, I would give this 4 stars. For almost any other writer, it would be their masterpiece (accordingly, I am giving it 5 stars). Incidentally, it is far, far superior to Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
Rating:
Summary: a great book
Review: I can't say that I enjoyed reading this book. It's not the sort of book that you enjoy. I can only say that I'm very glad that I read it. I found it to be both disturbing and compelling. I can only agree with the other reviewers. This is not a book for everyone. It's not the sort of book that you read for entertainment, for something to do, for the sake of it. But if you want to be challenged and you want to be made to think, you will gain a lot by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: a great book
Review: I can't say that I enjoyed reading this book. It's not the sort of book that you enjoy. I can only say that I'm very glad that I read it. I found it to be both disturbing and compelling. I can only agree with the other reviewers. This is not a book for everyone. It's not the sort of book that you read for entertainment, for something to do, for the sake of it. But if you want to be challenged and you want to be made to think, you will gain a lot by reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrifying Portrait of Prison Life
Review: While at times heavy on description, this novel still presents a dark and disturbing view of life in a Siberian prison. Based on Dostoevsky's own experiences (although the truth of which is sometimes called into question), the book serves as partly a documentary and partly a fictional story. Claustrophobic, psychologically trying, and disturbingly emotional, this novel is definitely not for everyone. But for those willing to dive it, it will be ultimately worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Horrifying Portrait of Prison Life
Review: While at times heavy on description, this novel still presents a dark and disturbing view of life in a Siberian prison. Based on Dostoevsky's own experiences (although the truth of which is sometimes called into question), the book serves as partly a documentary and partly a fictional story. Claustrophobic, psychologically trying, and disturbingly emotional, this novel is definitely not for everyone. But for those willing to dive it, it will be ultimately worthwhile.
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