Notes from the Underground (Review)

I just finished listening to Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky through the ChristianAudio Reviewers Program.

I have heard the name Fyodor Dostoevsky before.  I know that his works would be considered classic, I believe that I even have one of his books sitting on my shelf at home.  Being a lover of all things classic, I snatched up this opportunity immediately.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this Fyodor guy, so before I started listening I did a little research.  That turned out to be a better idea than I realized because the book is a little bit confusing, especially without a little foreknowledge.  If you are thinking about listening, then I will save you a little research time:  The book is composed of two main sections.  The first half is a composition of fictional "notes" that are laying out the philosophy of the unnamed "Underground Man".  The second half of the book displays these philosophies played out in this man's life.

As far as my experience with this book goes, I have to first point out that I loved the narrator.  He did an amazing job.  I felt as if I was actually listening to the character from the book.  This added to my experience and understanding of this book.

Secondly, I am not even going to attempt to describe the proper sociological and psychological aspects of this fictional man or the author's points that he is attempting to get across.  Instead, I feel the need to point out that  this felt like an insight into what my soul could have been without the saving grace if God.  Allow me to add a quote from the end of the book that might shed some light.

I believe I made a mistake in beginning to write them (the notes), anyway I have felt ashamed al lthe time I've been writing this story; so it's hardly literature so much as corrective punishment.  Why, to tell long stories, showing how I have spoiled my life through morally rotting in my corner, through lack of fitting environment, through divorce from real life, and rankling spite in my underground world, would certainly not be interesting; a novel needs a hero, and all the traits for an anti-here are EXPRESSLY gathered together here, and what matters most, it all produces an unpleasant impression, for we are all divorced from life, we are all cripples, every one of us, more or less.

(Read more on Google Books)

There is an insight in this guy's writing, but it is a chapter 1 sort of insight.  It is the insight that comes without the rest of the story.  The insight that is attained by looking within, looking a little without, but not looking to the God of the universe.

I believe that most classic works are worth a read ( or they wouldn't be classics, I suppose), and this one isn't an exception.  I would highly recommend using the Christian Audio version, I don't think I could have actually read through the entire thing.

What if Arizona were Quebec?

Here is an interesting perspective from the American Thinker (with an article by Michael Filozof):

Suppose for a moment that 15 million Americans -- the population of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut combined -- sneaked across the border into Quebec. Suppose that these illegal immigrants refused to learn to speak French, that they applied for Canadian welfare, that they reproduced at a rate higher than Quebec's residents, and that they bankrupted Canada's socialized medical system. Suppose that they sent their children to Canadian schools in such large numbers that Quebec's school system had to teach "French as a Second Language" courses.

Suppose that the 15 million illegal American aliens included large numbers of criminals, drug dealers from Vermont, and arms traffickers, causing Quebec's crime rate to soar; that they comprised 20% to 30% of Quebec's prison inmates; and that they routinely evaded capture by Canadian authorities by sneaking back across the border, where they engaged in gang warfare.

Suppose that the illegal Americans congregated in packs on Montreal street corners, looking for day labor for which they did not pay taxes, and drove through the streets of Quebec without driver's licenses or motor vehicle insurance. Suppose that the illegals marched openly in the streets of Montreal, waving the Stars and Stripes, celebrating the Fourth of July, and demanding amnesty. Suppose that illegal American college students formed radical pro-U.S. organizations on Quebec's campuses and demanded resident tuition discounts and affirmative-action preferences.

Let us further suppose that when the Montreal Canadiens played the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre, large numbers of illegal Americans waved the American flag, booed, hissed, and doused Canadiens fans with beer when "O, Canada" was sung in French prior to the opening face-off.

How do you suppose Canada would react? Would Quebec City and Laval declare themselves "sanctuary cities" and refuse to cooperate with federal authorities seeking to deport the illegal Americans? Would Quebec offer driver's licenses to the illegals? Would the province refuse to ask voters for identification and proof of citizenship?

If Quebec's provincial parliament passed a law allowing the police to demand proof of citizenship from suspected illegals, would the Prime Minister call it "misguided"? Would the Bishop of Montreal accuse the province of "Nazism"? Would residents of Calgary and Winnipeg call for a boycott of Quebec? Do you suppose the federal parliament in Ottawa would propose legislation to grant citizenship to the illegals (thereby allowing them to sponsor the emigration to Canada of their relatives back in the Unites States)?

Of course not. Anyone remotely familiar with Canadian politics knows exactly what would happen. A situation like the one described above would cause the province to explode.

(read the rest here)

[somebody had this posted on facebook, and I thought I would share...]

Page CXVI / Hymns

Page CXVI / Hymns

Just heard about this site through Tim Challies. On the front page it says, "Page CXVI is a project started with the idea of making hymns accessible and known again. They are some of the richest, most meaningful, and moving pieces of music ever written."

Their first album is available for download for free (from what I can tell, only this week).

For my boys...

Three boys were bragging about the perks of their fathers’ professions.

First boy says, “My dad’s a professor. I’m gonna be college-educated for nothing.”

Second boy says, “Whatever, dude. My dad’s a doctor. I’m gonna be healthy for nothing.”

Last boy looks at them both, and says, “Yeah? Well, my dad’s a pastor. I’m gonna be good for nothing.


[HT: Abraham Piper (John Piper's Son)]

English Only...

[HT: 22words]

The Next Great Drama!

[HT: 22words]

New Records!

My blog has broken two old records. (For a person who hasn't completely abandoned blogging for the one-liner updates of facebook and the quick little pithy statements of twitter... this was slightly exciting.)

New record number of visits for one month: 1508

New record number of unique visitors in one month:  1304

Not overly exciting, but a little bit exciting for a dedicated blogger.