The works of Fyodor Mikhailovich (of course, Dostoevsky!).

P.S. 2. I'm getting old and cynical, :smile05: :smile21:

After a certain (or rather, indefinite) age, a person develops their own system of values, which is natural, isn't it? :rolleyes:
"At eighteen, our beliefs are like mountains from which we look down on the world; at forty-five, they are caves in which we hide from the world."

And in general, not all great writers can be universally loved; that's some kind of porcelain perfection of a dead thought, in my opinion.

As for the relationship between being and consciousness, it is difficult to argue with that, but the main value in Tolstoy and Dostoevsky's books lies in the internal experiences, not the external setting. No one is interested in the idea of going to "work for the landowner" and mowing with the peasants until their backs ache anymore, but there are still so many debates around "The Kreutzer Sonata" that it's amazing! An eternal question. :)

Added 14 minutes later

And Dostoevsky doesn't have a single book in 4 volumes; the maximum is 1.5 ("The Brothers Karamazov").

I devoured the first three books of "The Karamazovs" in one go, and I still can't perceive them as a large work. :) As you know, time flies with some people, but drags on with others, and the same goes for books.

But fate has a great influence, that's true. To better understand the feelings of others, you have to experience them yourself. Fyodor Mikhailovich experienced a lot, which is why he conveys them so well in his works.

It's not enough to experience things; you also have to think about them and understand them. He doesn't just constantly retell the death penalty like a parrot - he's saying, "Let me tell you something from my past!" :)