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EatYourCheckers t1_jdoo1hd wrote

I've never read this book, but when I started reading Dickens I had a hard time following completely, so I would first read the chapter summary on SparkNotes, then the chapter. You woudl think it woudl take away the enjoyment of the book to know what was going to happen, but it actually helped me enjoy the book because I would catch the puns and things. I read on my kindle, so swapping between book and Sparknotes was easier.

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GumGuts t1_jdosvm7 wrote

One time when SparkNotes is more than justified: Dostoyevsky

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breitfuture OP t1_jdooebs wrote

I have been doing the same thing! Except I struggle through the chapter first and then I go to spark notes... maybe I should try your method for my next chapter. The only issue I have with spark notes is that sometimes they are very brief whereas someone on here could maybe explain things in more depth

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EatYourCheckers t1_jdp7c02 wrote

Yes, maybe try finding out what happens before you read, so you have more brain power to focus on the details. But if you are looking for more in-depth meaning/discussion, I think Sparknotes has discussion question and answers as well. I swear I don't work for them, lol. Also CliffsNotes must be an online thing now? Not sure if free - but that is what i used in the dark ages pre-internet.

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LFLreader t1_jdqfhpn wrote

I have the same issue, I really look for new vocabulary in every book I read, and on some books I need to get the facts first, then read the book to fill in the details.

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whoisyourwormguy_ t1_jdsiwwo wrote

Please reconsider using Sparknotes for this book. It spoils the plot of the book that you spent 350+ pages getting to, the part that the narrator hints at throughout the first half. I got it spoiled for me. Watch out!

Also, The P&V translation is closer to his real style but also clunkier and more difficult to read. I switched to the Garnett one and is was so much easier and I flew through the second half of the book, but I did lose some of the style by doing this. The second half of the book also is just easier to read in general, so once you hit the 400 page mark, I think you'll feel more confortable with the writing no matter which edition you read.

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