Brothers Karamozov (cassette) [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Author), Anthony Quayle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1986

Two of the brothers Karamazov, Mitya and Ivan, come under scrutiny for that most heinous of crimes--parricide. 2 cassettes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Treasure to be Preserved!! --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Languages & Literature Inc; Abridged edition edition (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856954897
• ISBN-13: 978-1856954891
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,307,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I occupy myself with this mystery because I want to be a man, November 19, 2008

By 

Eric Robert Juggernaut - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Brothers Karamazov (Signet Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

44 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Naxos Audiobooks did a terrible job, April 14, 2006

By 

Tetyana A. Burnett "A Ukrainian" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brothers Karamazov (Audio CD)

Naxos Audiobooks should not be allowed to create this type of product. The abridged version of The Brothers Karamazov is an unethical, unacceptable, and simply evil joke that will kill any interest in Dostoevsky's novel. My advice, pick up a real book, full version and enjoy this outstanding novel.
Naxos Audiobooks went as far as putting a portrait of a famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko on the cover of this CD. I would like to know what does Taras Shevchenko have to do with the Brothers Karamazov? Any educated individual will laugh at this publisher's stupidity and absolute lack of knowledge of both Russian and Ukrainian literary heritage. What disrespect to Russian and Ukrainian cultures! Before trying to make money on using those authors, they ought to at least make a basic research... Outrageous!

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars When They Say Abridged, They Mean It, October 20, 2007

By 

JC (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Brothers Karamazov (Audio CD)

Echoing the previous reviewer, this product is disappointing for anyone who is familiar with this novel. And for those who are using this to become acquainted with The Brothers K for the first time, you will not only be purchasing a truncated version, but a version that arguably cuts out the most important and most famous passages. For example, the moving chapter on Zosima's life as he lies dying in his cell is missing, and so is "The Grand Inquisitor" section which Dostoevsky himself described as the culminating point in the novel. These are essential sections of the book, and without them the story is no longer what the author meant it to be.

On the other hand, Pigott-Smith is a wonderful reader, and he does a great job in every respect. Even after I realized that they were overzealous with the editing, I couldn't stop listening, because this set is truly a pleasure. I suggest that this could be used to entice those who would never read the novel to pick it up (I'm thinking high schoolers here), or just to refamiliarize yourself with the plot without getting into Dostoevsky's philosophical and theological statements.

BUT, then you've got to read the UNabridged version! You will not regret it.