As the matter of fact, I think not only Dostoyevsky, but most of the other big classics of pre-20th century wouldn’t be recognized.
First of all, popular genres now are; fantasy, young adult, post-apocalypses, thriller, biography and others, have nothing to do with most of the classics written. “Don Quixote” for example, doesn’t fall in neither of those genres and obviously wouldn’t get as much recognition if he had been published now, simply because only small fraction of people read this genre today.
Secondly, it feels (and maybe I’m wrong) that people now, prefer more fast-paced and filled with action books. I very often hear and read complains how certain books like “Crime and Punishment” or “Anna Karenina” are plain boring, and there is nothing going in them. As I see it, their is a tendency to value real physical dilemmas more then psychological ones.
And lastly, taking the risk to sound like an old man, it seems that less teenagers and adults become interested in reading classics. If so many people are already refuse to read some big classic, there wouldn’t be a chance for it if it was published today.
As I conclude my sad observation, I want to point out that it is only my opinion and I would be more than happy if anyone could prove me wrong.
There are plenty of people reading Crime and Punishment today because they enjoy the plot and writing. If Crime and Punishment were published today, those people would still read it.
Currently reading it. Should have it finished today. I’ll admit it was an absolute slog in the beginning but felt rewarded as I pushed through. The questions it asks of morality along side my knowledge (though limited) of Russian philosophy of that era made this book something I’ve been unable to stop thinking about for the last few days now.
I think in the beginning the characters were a road block for me. I still don’t really care much for them outside Porfiry Petrovich who is awesome. I know he’s not Russian but I couldn’t help but picture him as Christoph Waltz. Or someone with his style of on screen charisma. However once the themes started showing themselves the genius of this book really came out on full display. I think I’m going to read The Long Ships by Frans G Benngtson next but The Brothers Karamazov will definitely be after that.
All this is to say that despite what that guy is saying. I’m a huge nerd for stuff like A song of Ice and Fire but I still think classic literature is amazing and totally worth reading!