The Idiot (Part 01 and 02)

(5 stars)

Clementi

I just love Dostoyevsky and am a huge fan of Martin Geeson's superb readings (definitely worth a librivox search on his name as ALL his readings are glorious and a joy to listen to). In many ways The Idiot can seem like one of Dostoyevsky's easier and more penetrable books but it has a number of levels which one can choose whether or not to interpret. In all, this is a great introduction to not only Dostoyevsky but also to the other Russian writers of this period. Thank you Martin for another truly splendid reading.

Self laceration

(5 stars)

Wielgosz

I enjoyed The Idiot better than The Brothers Karamazov - is that allowed? Martin Geeson, the primary reader, was truly great. Dostoyevsky sees the shadow of nihilism on his mother Russia and sends in his worthy Prince.

Will this be finished?

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Great reading, but will there be more parts to this book? I've never read (listened) to any Dostoyevsky books before but this one has held my interest. Hopefully Mr. Geeson will continue, as I have thus far enjoyed listening to his interpretation. But it is time consuming for one person to do so much so perhaps others would be willing as well? Thanks for the recording!

Excellent version of one of my favorite books!

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

great narrator! but where's the rest?

Excellent narration for an excellent book!

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

I could not stop listening! The author's voice is robust yet sensitive to the characters, and contains all the marks of fluency needed for the listener to seamlessly enter into Dostoyevsky's world. Of course, the text itself is a plot of intricacy and innovation which never fails its audience. The Idiot contains lots of surprises, along with creative literary methods for exposing universal truths. Classic Dostoyevsky at his finest

superb reading

(5 stars)

Norina

Great recording. Such a pleasure to listen to.

Very disappointed that Martin Geeson is not reading pts. 3&4

(5 stars)

dahszil

I know that Marting Geeson has done a massive amount of reading for librivox. So I am thankful for his read of parts 1 and 2 of "the idiot" Dostoevsky's favorite and for me one of greatest novels/tome ever written. At the very least 3 and 4 should have been done by a collaboration of readers. I took a listen to one or two of the incomplete 3 and 4. The reader has an adequate voice and that reader is scheduled to read all of 3 and 4. But since no one has that supple and seamless differentiation of vocalizations of characters, I think parts 3 and 4 will not come close to the great reader Martin Geeson's 1 and 2. I have listened to several commercial versions and the reader does not come close to Martin's humanity, expression of emotions, easy human pace, and his supple and subtle vocalizations At least 3 and 4 would have been easy to listen to with a variety of readers. sigh....One should have sympathy for Roghzin and Nastasia. They were both abused, the former by his father the latter by Totsky. In clip 19 Rogozhin makes the ultimate point that I am sure Pavlov(the great Russian exponent of classical conditioning)would agree: R replies to the Prince, in so many words(not a quote): We do not chose, are personalities are formed by others in our formative years. It is only when we gain the affection of good persons then we can chose, but even here what we are from the treatment of others in our formative years, is is more difficult to alleviate and change for the better than physical illness. Our conditioned personalities and actions are inflicted, "nurtured". The genetic and neurobiological psychiatry of today has cause and effect backwards, and is so corrupted by drug companies by the medicalization of the psychological misery or madness we suffer. I have the most ill feelings towards Totsky. Madame Epachine was quite colorful. vacillating between childishness, to outrageous verbal cruelty and than moments later being quite apologetic. Martin did an excellent job verbally portraying Madame Epanchin.

(5 stars)

reina

I have yet to listen to parts 3 and 4 but this recording was superb (as expected from Martin Geeson) which helped keep my interest in the book. I haven't listened to the final chapters because I selfishly wish Mr. Geeson would have done the whole recording. I don't want to hear anyone else as I doubt I will enjoy it as much. I'll perhaps have to read it silently to myself which isn't really a better alternative.