Feb 04 2009
Short Book Review: What Is to Be Done
Is a novel by Russian philosopher, thinker, and journalist Nikolai Chernyshevsky 1828-1889.
Although the work has influenced some writers. It’s mostly known for the profound impact it has had on some of the most well known political activist and thinkers of the 20th century; Emma Goldman, Vladimir Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg, and Alexandra Kollontai are among a few. At the other side of coin, Dostoevsky lampoons this book in his famous/infamous novella: “Notes from Underground.”
The story plot is simple: a Russian upper class couple who decide to devote their time and money to further the revolutionary movement.
In a time when Russian society was very cynical; it’s refreshing to see a work like this one born out of that cynicism. Righteousness and ethics were looked down upon back in 19th century Russian/European society. Being smart was akin to cunningness. The characters (the couple) in this novel are ethical, and this bothered some people who were used to cynicisms.
Vladimir Lenin and Emma Goldman both said this was one of the most important books they had ever read. Furthermore: some have said this book was even more respected and acknowledged than Marx’s “Das Kapital.”
