The Brothers Karamazov is considered a supreme achievement in literature. Published near the end of the 19th century, it is one of the great works of world-renowned author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The Brothers Karamazov tackles some of the most existential and important themes known to humankind--the existence of God, morality, free will, reason, doubt, and faith--just to name a few. Readers around the globe have found their lives transformed by this layered and complex book. A deeply spiritual work, The Brothers Karamazov is a work that every person should read.
--This text refers to the
Kindle Edition
edition.
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Original Language: Russian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Publisher
This was Dostoyevsky's last and possibly greatest novel. Two of the brothers Karamazov, Mitya and Ivan, come under scrutiny following that most heinous of acts - parricide. One of them is punished following a dramatic and celebrated trial. But was he the guilty brother?
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format: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 interesting 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.
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 interesting 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.
63 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By T. Burnett
Format: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!
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!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By K Watson
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Based on one or more of the reviews, I ordered the Wordsworth edition of The Brothers Karamasov thinking that it must be the Avsey translation the review raved about. It's not. It's is the old Constance Garnett translation. Avsey's translation is available through Amazon, but this is not it. What happens is that the reviews for the Wordsworth edition and the Oxford Press edition get mixed together. The Amazon page for the Wordsworth edition does not mention who the translator is, so I guess it's my fault for being taken in by the review. Careless shoppers, beware. If you Amazon booksearch for Ignat Avsey, his translation of the novel turns up. Spend a few dollars extra for a book you're going to spend some serious time with!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
A new Famous Error - Unique collection
This CD is really unique. The famous Ukrainian writer, poet and painter on the title page has no correlation at all to Dostoevsky. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tiger
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shevchenko created The brothers Karmazov????!
Guys why Shevchenko portrait was chosen as creator portrait of The brothers Karmazov, why not Ray Bradbury or Isaac Azimov? Read more
Published 3 months ago by BredberyForever
1.0 out of 5 stars
Taras Shevchenko on the Brothers Karamazov' CD???
Those Naxos Audiobooks should have paid more to those who did the cover of the CD. Why did they put a portrait of a famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko there ??? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Linox
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misleading
So can someone please tell me why Taras Shevchenko, the famous Ukrainian Poet is featured on the cover of a CD by a Russian author? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Julian
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cover picture is incompetently picked and totally irrelevant!
Hey, even kids know who is the persons on the cover picture!
This is Taras Shevchenko, famous Ukrainian poet and painter: [... Read more
This is Taras Shevchenko, famous Ukrainian poet and painter: [... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Anatoliy Mushtuk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dosteyevsky and Dickens are the greatest all time writers, hands down
Dosteyevsky at his finest. So entertaining, suspenseful, and of course well-written. Captures all the characters so vividly, you are inside their heads and understand all of their... Read more
Published 4 months ago by bridgette lopez
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Terrible but not Terribly Good Either
I purchased this book because I kept seeing it in the top 10 of various "Best Books of All Time" type of lists. Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. O'Bar
3.0 out of 5 stars
I would have gotten more of it if i'd read it in school
This book is beautifully written. I didn't much like it though. There were so many digressions from the main story that i got a bit lost at times. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Melanie Ivanoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic story
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV, which is one of Dostoyevsky's all time best, perhaps the best, adds to make him perhaps the best writer of all times. Read more
Published 16 months ago by James Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birth of Existentialism? Dark? What Did You Read?
Before I read this incalculably brilliant novel, I was aware of the sinister shadow that seems to follow it, such as mention of "The Brothers Karamazov" constituting the "birth of... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jesse Giles Christiansen
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