If I were to describe the book in one work, it would be one that I borrow from this book: eccentric. The plot revolves around an epileptic prince over an exiguous number of described days. There are very few central characters. There is seldom any narration at all. The author relies on a totally novel style to describe everything - the characters, the plot, the philosophy, the social issues. The descriptions happen in the form of extended discussions between characters. Strange, digressing discussions which at times have nothing to do with the story, but all the same, are interesting, engrossing, provoking and fatidic. These form the crux of the book. The entire appeal of Dostoyevsky's writing is in these long monologues and dialogues. Though at times they do get a bit redundant.
The plot was essentially simple but surely hard to conceive. Future events are always obscure and the ending a bit abrupt. The characters are built in the way Dostoyevsky must have intended them, and they probably were the focus of his work, rather than the story. However, in no way does that mean that the story lacks any zing. It is told beautifully.
"The Idiot" was a pretty good read. I read it without losing interest at any point of time, which I am prone to doing in case of long books. But what has attracted me the most is Dostoyevsky's style of writing, about which, I believe, I have rambled enough. I intend to read more of the author now.
