I think Tolstoy is the superior author, but it's an acquired taste that often comes later in life.

When I was in college, a fair number of people I knew were into Dostoyevsky, I don't recall anyone being into Tolstoy.

Dostoyevsky's novels I think are more accessible. They're shorter and focus on the psychological state of a smaller number of characters.

And Dostoyevsky just seems more, dare I say, edgy. "I am a sick man. I am a spiteful man. I think my liver is diseased" vs. long discussions of Russian farming methods and 50-page treaties on theories of history.

Should add that Dostoyevsky himself believed Tolstoy to be the superior author.

Raskolnikov is the best literary character.

Dostoyevsky

Notes from Underground is my reason. Read it countless times in college.

Tolstoy. Especially his “War, What is it Good For?”

Dostoyevski - The Brothers Karamazov

Tolstoy was a college drop out and early childhood trauma (mom died when he was 2, and dad died when he was 9) had an impact on his entire life and his writing style. He understands well people with serious mental trauma, but seems cannot get the characters with a strong moral values, while Dostoyevski nails it down.

Anonymous wrote:Chekhov as a write-in candidate.

Too depressing, and he was such a pos in real life that it shows through his literature.

Dostoyevsky for me. Idiot is absolutely my favorite, then Karamazov's.

Both of them were great psychologist. They both understood and studied the human nature very deeply, but I think Dostoyevski nailed it better. I am wondering if it was because of Tolstoy's own low moral character that he could not get it sometimes.

My favorite of Dostoyevski: It takes more than intelligence to act intelligently. He gets it!

Chekhov as a write-in candidate.

Dostoyevsky’s writing is much “deeper” in my opinion. Dark at times but there is always light at the end.

Anonymous wrote:tolstoy: because he wrote the greatest line ever, "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

and The Death of Ivan Ilyich is just such a good story

Haha, I think it’s the opposite. Unhappy families are pretty much all alike. If you google “dysfunctional family” you will see a list of characteristics fitting 90% of all unhappy families.

Happy families are happy each in its own way though. From my observations.

What do people mean by "long-winded"?

Anonymous wrote:Dostoyevsky all day every day. Extremely readable. Tolstoy is so long winded.

+1

I have to disagree with the critics who say Tolstoy is "too long winded." I don't think there's a frivolous word in his masterpiece, War and Peace.

Tolstoy comes out ahead of Dostoyevsky for me. I agree that War and Peace is the best novel of all time. Anna Karenina is also excellent. Crime and Punishment is my favorite Dostoyevsky, I didn't really care for what is generally considered his best, The Brothers Karamazov.