The House of the Dead

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Narrated by James O'Connell

Overview

The House of the Dead is a novel published in 1861 by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, which portrays the life of convicts in a Siberian prison camp. Dostoyevsky himself spent four years in exile in such a camp following his conviction for involvement in the Petrashevsky Circle. This experience allowed him to describe with great authenticity the conditions of prison life and the characters of the convicts. The narrator, Aleksandr Petrovich Goryanchikov, has been sentenced to penalty deportation to Siberia and ten years of hard labour. Life in prison is particularly hard for Aleksandr Petrovich, since he is a "gentleman" and suffers the malice of the other prisoners, nearly all of whom belong to the peasantry. Gradually Goryanchikov overcomes his revulsion at his situation and his fellow convicts, undergoing a spiritual re-awakening that culminates with his release from the camp. It is a work of great humanity; Dostoyevsky portrays the inmates of the prison with sympathy for their plight, and also expresses admiration for their energy, ingenuity and talent. He concludes that the existence of the prison, with its absurd practices and savage corporal punishments is a tragic fact, both for the prisoners and for Russia itself.

Editorial Reviews

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Nicolas Boulton gives a splendid narration of Dostoyevsky’s semiautobiographical novel based on his exile in Siberia. First published in a journal written from 1860 to 1862, the novel concerns a nobleman, Aleksandr Petrovich Goryanchikov, who is imprisoned for murdering his wife. Goryanchikov encounters and witnesses great acts of brutality by both inmates and the keepers of the prison, as well as great acts of kindness and humanity. This novel displays Dostoyevsky’s insight into the human condition in all of its evil and good, and his skill at depicting this. It also shows his religious views, which are developed more in his later works. Boulton’s British accent works well for the nobleman who recounts his own story, and he’s also remarkably versatile and credible as peasants, foot soldiers, and officers. His pacing and expression are perfect. This production grabs one from the beginning and never lets go. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Nicolas Boulton gives a splendid narration of Dostoyevsky’s semiautobiographical novel based on his exile in Siberia. First published in a journal written from 1860 to 1862, the novel concerns a nobleman, Aleksandr Petrovich Goryanchikov, who is imprisoned for murdering his wife. Goryanchikov encounters and witnesses great acts of brutality by both inmates and the keepers of the prison, as well as great acts of kindness and humanity. This novel displays Dostoyevsky’s insight into the human condition in all of its evil and good, and his skill at depicting this. It also shows his religious views, which are developed more in his later works. Boulton’s British accent works well for the nobleman who recounts his own story, and he’s also remarkably versatile and credible as peasants, foot soldiers, and officers. His pacing and expression are perfect. This production grabs one from the beginning and never lets go. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169491012
Publisher:	Oregan Publishing
Publication date:	12/10/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged

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