A Funny Man's Dream

Paperback, 336 pages

English language

Published Nov. 3, 2000 by University Press of the Pacific.

ISBN:
978-0-89875-137-6
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OCLC Number:
224513402

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5 stars (10 reviews)

"The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" (Russian: Сон смешного человека, Son smeshnovo cheloveka) is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1877. It chronicles the experiences of a man who decides that there is nothing of any value in the world. Slipping into nihilism with the “terrible anguish” he is determined to commit suicide. A chance encounter with a young girl, however, begins the man on a journey that re-instills a love for his fellow man. It was first published in A Writer's Diary.

6 editions

Review of "A Funny Man's Dream" on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

"Soullessness! Oh nature! People are alone on this planet, that's the trouble. 'Is there a living soul on this field?' cries the hero of Russian legend. Though no legendary hero, I make the same call, but no one responds. They say the sun gives life to the universe. But the sun rises and—look—isn't it dead? Everything is dead, the dead lie everywhere. Just solitary people, and all about—silence. That's the kind of world we live in. 'People love one another'—who said that? Whose commandment is it? The pendulum is clicking unfeelingly, horridly. It's two in the morning. Her shoes are standing beside her bed, as though they are waiting for her...Listen, I mean it, they'll take her away tomorrow, but what about me?"

Good god was this a bloody brilliant read, "The meek one" and "A funny man's dream" being my absolute favourite parts of this. The former's theme revolving …

Subjects

  • Classic fiction
  • Classics
  • Fiction
  • Literature - Classics / Criticism
  • Literature: Classics