Customer Reviews

The Brothers Karamazov (Penguin Classics)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is over 900 pages long, and it took me only 2 weeks to read it, while working full time, which is a true testament to its compelling plot and masterful prose. That being said, this is not an easy read, but demands much of the reader. Besides being the recounting of a fictional parricide and the ensuing courtroom drama, this is also Dostoevsky's greatest rumination on the meaning of life, the difference between good and evil, the phenomenon of human guilt, and the existence of God and the Devil. Phew.

The novel begins with introduction of the three Karamazov brothers (there is one other bastard son, but he is largely in the background), Alexei, Dmitry, and Ivan. All are unique and represent different parts of the human psyche. Alexei is benevolent and good, Dmitry is passionate and generous, Ivan is serious and intellectual. They all have their inner battles with God, which Dostoevsky brilliantly brings into the plot without losing the believability of the characters. About halfway through the book, their father, Fyodor Karamazov is murdered. Much like Dostoevsky's victim in "Crime and Punishment", Fyodor is an unsympathetic character who treated his sons horribly. Dmitry is the immediate suspect and a trial follows. Even though Dmitry is blamed for the murder, this novel circles around collective guilt in the eyes of God (if he exists, which is a question that clearly torments Dostoevsky). Who is responsible for the maltreatment of the Karamazov children? Who is responsible for tolerance of Dmitry's excesses? A rich cast of characters brings every possible aspect of personality into this debate, making this novel one of the most complete and well-rounded I have ever read. The theme of this book is the human condition...what it means to be human, to have freedom of choice, to have a moral conscience...issues that have been the subject of eternal debate, but find some of their clearest conveyence here in Dostoevsky's prose.

This book starts out a bit slow; Dostoevsky doesn't give the reader much of an intro before he launches into a treatise on religion and the state. But I promise that it picks up quickly and never lets go. Be prepared for your mind to travel to all sorts of different places. This book is entertaining, thought provoking, literary...it's the whole package.

One of the finest books I have ever read or will ever hope to read.

The Brothers Karamazov is a dramatic and insightful Russian novel written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. In this novel, Dostoyevsky intricately weaves the actions and emotions of his characters to create a masterpiece that describes the flaws and complications of society. As well as drawing out an intricate plot of a patricide, Dostoyevsky also confronts discrepancies in religion, the contrast between social classes, the power of money and love, and the complexity of the human nature.
Although many people are discouraged by its length, I strongly recommend this novel because of Dostoyevsky's ingenious writing style. He depicts the culture of Russian society through the case of a disputed murder as well as debating the line between good and evil. He also challenges the morals and lifestyles of that time, revealing his inner struggles to the reader. Dostoyevsky uses a wide variety of people in society as his characters: from wealthy individuals to impoverished families, from atheists to religious elders, from bastards to legitimate children, and from buffoons to moral figures. Between the characters, he draws parallels and contrasts in order to emphasize hope in the midst of a severe and cruel society.
What I love most about this novel is the character development. In the very beginning of the book, Dostoyevsky introduces his main characters by describing each of their backgrounds and their development to the point of the central plot. Thus, the reader feels as if he has grown up with these characters and understands each of their personalities. Each character is viewed realistically: they have imperfections and strengths, as well as unpredictable and unique qualities that could be found in people today. The reader is torn by the differences between each character that eventually lead to disaster and confusion. Overall, Dostoyevsky paints an almost flawless picture of humanity, captivating the reader with his intensely detailed and overall beautiful piece of literature.
This book is not very easy to read; it requires much concentration and contemplation. However, its depth and incredible composition has placed it as one of literature's greatest works. I highly recommend this novel and encourage the reader to be persistent when the reading becomes tedious, because, in the end, they will never regret picking up the book, as I never will.

There are certain accomplishments of human genius which arouse in mankind awe and reverence for the greatness which men are capable of. "The Brothers Karamazov" is one such gem of human thought and achievement.

What IS "The Brothers..." all about?
I do not feel competent enough to define precisely the central theme of the greatest, most profound & sophisticated, not to say difficult & complex novel of the 19th century.
All I can say is that it is a book rich with ideas - all pertaining to belief and disbelief. - man's faith in God, & what happens when man rejects faith, God & immortality of the soul.
In terms of the broader abstractions, the theme of TBK is: The "fall of man" & his spiritual re-birth & regeneration.
The "fall of man" comes about as a result of his loss of faith in God & immortality - his spiritual corruption begins from there, & leads to nothing but bloodshed, pain, disorder & destruction.
In the depth of this degradation, steeped in suffering, man learns the truth - the highest truth - God.
Thence begins the growth of faith & virtue in man, which assumes the form of man's taking upon himself guilt towards one & all, & active love towards mankind.

D's characterization in TBK is unsurpassed. Each character is the representative of an idea logically connected to the themes & ideas of the novel.
A few words on the three principal characters:

1. Ivan Karamazov - the most complex & intriguing character, Ivan is an atheist who rejects God for he cannot accept "God's order" and logically, becomes a "man-god". To such a man, no moral principles apply - "everything is permitted".
But Ivan is has a deep conscience. He realizes the complete consequences of his ideas - that without God, man can only achieve death & destruction - and so did he, though indirectly. The pangs of conscience & raging spiritual torments take toll of his mental equilibrium, but we are left with a vague promise of the spiritual & moral regeneration in him that lies as a possibility in the distant future.

2. Dmitri Karamazov - a passionate & violent man but honorable & conscientious. In the depths of his soul lies hidden a desperate yearning to become good & noble - to realize all that is sublime & beautiful within man. He too "falls" - the desire to shed the blood of his father & other rash, thoughtless actions become responsible for great misery - both his own & that of others, and thus becomes a medium of demonstrating why D advocates that a man must accept universal responsibility towards one & all. In his worst moment he finds a purpose in life - he finds God & love for all mankind - and sets out on the path of self-reform & redemption.

3. Alyosha Karamazov - the hero of the novel. A Christ-like figure, he acts as the conscience of the corrupt human soul. He is the ideal which all, in essence, want to believe in, reach, & which mankind itself is striving for. He is not free of vices, but overcomes them & reaches a state of spiritual perfection which is indestructible.
That Mitya & Ivan love him shows that somewhere within them, the truth, virtue, a love for life, & goodness - God - is alive, that the "dead in them can be resurrected".

And this is the final statement D makes on human nature - even in his most "stinking" sins & corruption, even though all seems lost & irredeemable, man is ultimately a good being within whom lies the capacity of understanding & realizing the truth - of becoming virtuous & heroic, of redeeming himself.
Man has the freedom to choose- but man chooses evil, sins, suffers, & at last understands that the truth (which lies in Jesus) is in fact the truth, & finally attains joy through redemption.

As far as plot-construction is concerned, that of TBK is superlative, though that of "Crime And Punishment" is better. The suspense is thrilling, though I think, again,in this respect, "The Possessed" is more blood-curdling.
The skill with which D integrates philosophy, psychology and a suspenseful thriller plot is simply brilliant.

A few words in connection to this novel:
1. DO NOT READ THE INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK - IT GIVES AWAY THE ENTIRE PLOT.
2. All admirers of Dostoevsky should not forget to acknowledge the influence of FRIEDRICH SCHILLER on the former. Schiller's plays, "The Robbers" & "Don Carlos" are the sources of most of the ideas explored with greater detail & depth in TBK. In fact D has even used some of the dialogues spoken by the characters in "The Robbers", while the Grand Inquisitor is a character originally from "Don Carlos", given greater depth & a different dimension by D.

In conclusion, I shall say that "The Brothers Karamazov" is the greatest novel of the 19th century, & one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all times. It undoubtedly ranks among works such as "Faust" by Goethe & "The Divine Comedy" by Dante. I say this in terms of its philosophical profundity, its analysis of complex ideas, its psychological depth (& complexity) and, above all, its scope & relevance. It is one of the rare novels of world history which can alter the course of human existence.

I have read The Brothers Karamazov 12 times in three different versions - those by Garnett, Pevear-Volokhonsky, and McDuff. This one is by far my favourite of those three. While the other versions would take me at least a month to read, this one only took two weeks. Not only is the translation easier to read and more compelling, but there is a helpful introduction that explains some of the themes.

I'd also recommend these two introductions:
The Brothers Karamazov: Worlds of the Novel
Dostoyevsky: The Brothers Karamazov (Landmarks of World Literature)

The Brothers Karamazov is a masterpiece of Russian literature. Though this must be qualified somewhat: don't pick up Karamazov if you expect an easy read. Dostoyevsky makes you work for enjoyment from his novels, and Karamazov, being his magnum opus, is incredibly inaccessible to the casual reader. Dostoyevsky must be studied. Karamazov has parables (The Grand Inquisitor is a benchmark of atheist philosophy), numerous characters (who are often called by their patronyms and their first names, or both at the same time, so beware), is polyphonic, and often times tedious. I will be the first to admit that Dostoyevsky is writing for a purpose, so elegant prose is secondary to him - not to say that he doesn't write well, there are some sections that have stunning imagery, but his overall style, the proportions of the text, can be quite foreboding.

However, if you want to learn about 19th century Russian existentialism, scientism, the rational egoists, criminal psychology, the nature of rebellion (a good companion is Mikhail Bahktin's The Rebel, also considered a classic), love, religion, relationships (the spine of the story is patricide!), then The Brothers Karamazov is the perfect book. Just be prepared to read commentaries and take notes. Dostoyevsky has a reputation as one of the hardest of the Russian writers, but also as one of the most rewarding.

A brilliant book, but one for a very specific and dedicated audience. I recommend it highly, but for personal culturing and knowledge rather than quick pleasure. If you are looking for a dense, rich book, then this is perhaps the best. It is a goldmine of knowledge and ideas, but you have to work for it.

Enjoy!

Anyone interested in the central question facing mankind will find `The Brothers Karamazov' an essential guide. That question--on man's capacity for responsibility and the proper role of the state and religion--is posed throughout the story in dialogue and events, and is framed neatly in a 20-page section where Ivan presents a poem titled `The Grand Inquisitor' to his brother Alyosha. The chapter that bears that title (Book V, Chapter V) is a masterpiece in itself and should be studied for its narrative technique alone. But the ideas it presents are so immense, so mind-blowing and inspirational, that literary criticism is not sufficient.

Indeed, `The Brothers Karamazov' should not be classed merely as a novel--it is a book of philosophy, theology, and sociology as well that ranks with the greatest documents in those disciplines. There is a fictitious plot, of course, and the characters in the story are some of the most unique in all of literature, so it is rightly praised as a novel. But the modern reader looking for a plot of twists and romantic intrigues is bound to disappointment. Dostoevsky does not stir up drama through the placement of unexpected developments or improbable character traits. Instead, he relies on the inherent needs and wants of all men to make vivid his story.

The amount of dialogue may be shocking (tedious) to one accustomed to the modern show-don't-tell policy in storytelling. Today, novelists and screenwriters let a character's actions speak for them--it is quicker and provides a much more convincing impression. It also limits the kind of ideas that are posed in the story to simple, prosaic ones like `she likes him' or `he wants to defeat him.' By contrast, Dostoevsky allows the characters to speak for themselves, which creates a much longer and subtler exposition, but also frees the ideas to be vast and monumental.

What is the fundamental nature of socialism? What are the uses of the church in finding purpose? In finding salvation? Why is there suffering? What is the meaning of death? Read the brothers' dialogues and contemplate.

Dostoevsky's own philosophy is seen in the protagonist, Alyosha. This is so despite the fact that the author ably covers every perspective on every topic presented in the book, and one can hardly find a positive assertion throughout. If there is one, it rests in the overall effect of the words and actions, a concept Dostoevsky articulated in a personal correspondence--it is that "Man is a mystery; if you spend your entire life trying to puzzle it out, then do not say that you have wasted your time."

A word about the translations: The title of Book IV has been translated differently in every version I have seen (other chapter titles are also inconsistent, but Book IV is seemingly the most difficult to agree on). The original Russian is `Nadryvy,' which literally translates to `Ruptures,' though no translations I have seen use `Ruptures.' The word is used throughout the book to convey the motif of `pressures' or `strained conditions about to break.' The various options I have seen for this title are `Lacerations' (Garnett), `Strains' (Pevear & Volkhonsky), `Torment' (MacAndrew), `Crises' (Avsey), and `Crack-Ups' (McDuff). Given this is a central theme, the potential reader might look into which translation he prefers before buying. Apropos, the Princess Alexandra Kropotkin print version bears the Garnett translation, as does the Frederick Davidson audio recording.

Arrrgh. Who doesn't love Dostoevsky? Who doesn't love Penguin paperback editions? I bought this Kindle version anticipating no problems with translation or formatting. Well, the translation is certainly acceptable; Dostoevsky's style comes through. What utterly undermines my enjoyment is that the formattingall runs togetherlike this,j ust enought o makeyou crazy. Get the idea? It certainly takes the pleasure out by interrupting the flow of information from the eye to the brain.

C'MON PENGUIN! YOU ARE CHARGING 9.99 FOR A BOOK IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. TAKE THE TIME TO PROPERLY FORMAT!

I was completely undone by this book and actually read it three times in the space of a few months. Just about every philosophical, political and spiritual idea that has preoccupied mankind for the past 100 years (and even before that) gets an airing. Dostoevsky presents his own beliefs with great conviction yet presents the opposing arguments with almost as much conviction. The character of Alyosha is one of the most beautiful in literature and actually taught me more about the concept of Grace than any other "Christian" or "religious" book.

This is hands-down my favorite novel of all time. Not just because of the intriguing philosophical issues raised, although that certainly adds to the book. The thing about this book is that somehow through reading it, you become transformed. I have read it two times through, and each time I can say that I am not quite the same person I was when I began it. There is a real power in Dostoevsky's words, and he does well to involve the reader as a whole person: mind, flesh, spirit, and emotion.

A central issue and question of the novel involves one of the 3 brothers, Alyosha. When the novel begins at the present, Alyosha is in the monastery as a monk. You learn much about his life in the monastery, his theology, and the spiritual ideals he clings to. Then Alyosha leaves the monastery and is called to become "a monk in the world." This is a running theme of Dostoevsky, and is especially strong in the Brothers Karamazov. How can one live with such high and lofty spiritual ideals in this world where people murder, steal, mock, and other evils? Watching Alyosha be a monk in the world, and seeing how those spiritual ideals can be applied to a corrupt world is fascinating.

This is a wonderful book, and worth investing your time and self into. The measure you put in will be the measure you get back, and still more will be given to you. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful and powerful I have found this book to be.

When assessing the greatest written works, one has to include Dostoevsky's seminal novel at the top with only maybe the Bible being a greater work. Dostoevsky examines the one thing that the Bible expects us to have and to have unquestionably - faith. Why is faith important to us and why it causes so much strife, compassion, violence, love - the entire gamut of human emotion - is explored in a most unique manner. With a backdrop of provincial Czarist Russia and family squabbling, the novel sculptes such a complex tale of damnation to redemption all within the structure of a murder mystery (fratricide to be exact), one is drained completely - emotionally, mentally, and spiritually - when the novel is finally completed that one has to sit back in awe of Dostoevsky's marvelous writing style. Characterizations that jump off the page and speak to one's inner most self and chapters that examine the stark reality of the human condition are only the tip of the iceberg of this powerful story that forces one to reconsider what we've been taught about religious faith in the West. Very Highest Recommendation. Best sections - when the athesist brother has a conversation with Satan and when Jesus returns during the Spanish Inquisition and questions the use of his teachings in the current manner employed by the church