White Nights Review

White Nights is a tale of two lonely lovers. Both of which have yet to experience requited love but yearn for it which such intensity it clouds judgment and reason. Not quite an unfamiliar act prompt of love. 

The man insists on referring to self in the third person reflecting insecurity in his way of life, in his dreams, and in his tendency to do both.

Nastenka was not oblivious to the narrators’ feelings. In fact, she knew very well his emotions and exposed intentions and tried to offset it by flailing around the opposite. “I like you because you have not fallen in love with me… some men in your place would have been pestering and worrying me…Goodness, what a friend you are!” knowing damn well this man pines for her. Cold. This utterance is then fulfilled. I like your strategy young lady, make him embarrassed to admit his true feelings, invoking fear of rejection and shame.

Overall, they both are immature in the ways of self-respect. If she can so effortlessly switch from accepting love from the guy she just met who has done a few kind things for her to this other guy she doesn’t know and hasn’t seen for a year who has done a few kind things for her, she’ll flock to fruit from a bird. It is love she craves and by any means she will get it, or something she think looks like it. Something that gives her an outlet of her own.

If sincere, the narrator deserves true love, as do we all. If only anxiety and insecurity weren’t such influential states of being. Why does he assume rejection? When professing his love for Nastenka he follows by saying “I will tell you everything and go away. But I meant to run from you myself.” Evidence of his true occupation: longing for an escape from self. Searching, too, for an outlet of misplaced fervor. His insecurity, this utterance is then fulfilled, not much to his amazement but an addition to grief. If sincere, this guy needs a fucking break, he needs a hug, he needs a friend. Yes, I think a friend would suit him well. A loving, genuine one. A rush for/to love will have you left with the shell that resembles it. Flounder becomes caviar. The bus a Cadillac. I mean, for God’s sake, he hadn’t even heard this girl say more than 10 words before he’s already on a tangent to us about how madly in love, he is with her and divulging all his fantasies. Talking bout he ain’t speaking in first person. Nigga we know it’s you. Own up to it. Be proud of the lonely, desperate, awkward boy you are. Proud but steady in who you involve in those fantasies. Anyone won’t make a great fit. A great fit. A great fit hey uh that just got me thinking how you and I weren’t a great fit but somehow fit great ;)

It’s my perspective that if these individuals had met any other person a any other time or the same, they would have fallen just the same. Mad for love! Ready to receive it by any means. Ready to give it by any means. Misplaced, if you will, and even more understandable, trapped. “Might this make them perfect for each other?” I think. 

Though my instinctive brain remains fearful of strange men on the street who profess their love and need for me on our fourth meeting and claims to fantasize about being in love so much so he is readily willing to abandon himself. If, by chance, he is sincere then it could work. I see it. Cute! Not functional, but entrancing. Passionate and sensual to experience.

With love and communication dynamics that seem far too modern and familiar for its time, White Nights encapsulates you in the seesaw of unrequited love and desperation borne of loneliness and a lack of intimacy. The author writes modishly. As if written from my own perspective, with tons more self-loathing and disclosed yearning involved.

Do I believe Nastenka is a trustworthy character? Well, I’m not so sure. She’s inconstant. Do I believe the storyteller is a trustworthy character? Well, no not at all. He’s a man. Yet both have suffered so intensely with desire and imagination. Lonely past its due date, missing the sheer presence of another’s thoughtful attention. For what has been previously bestowed fails to suffice!