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Summary: One of Time's Greatest
Review: The Brothers Karamazov is probably the most intricate and exciting books ever written. It covers many themes of existence, and is at the heart of all existential novels; without Dostoevsky, there is no Kafka,Sartre,or Camus- and to top it all off, this book has a certain "Mystery" aura, that will never be matched by any other book, and makes a mockery of all of our regurgitated movies, T.V. shows, and novels, of today.
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Summary: "A wisp of tow..."
Review: It's somehwat misleading to refer to the "Brothers K." as a novel. In fact, Dostoevsky's magnum opus is by turns a metaphysical revelation, a terse and deeply emotional thriller and, perhaps most of all, a treatise on God and religion. The symbolism, right down to the very number of brothers (3...the most important number in the bible), is pervasive in the work, almost leaving the reader to feel quite often in the dark. Words like powerful, sensual, illuminating casually leap to mind when considering "Brothers K." on a whole. My skills as a reviewer are sorely lacking so I could never do even the remotest justice to such a book. Still, after reading "Brothers K." I feel compelled to give voice to the powerful admiration I developed for the work. Such feelings are likely to well up in anyone who gives the book a careful and thoughtful read. Unequivocally, the Constance Garnett translation found in Matlaw's Norton Critical Edition is par exellence. The only disappointment one may encounter in their experience with the "Brothers K." is when they learn that this was Dostoevsky's last work. Read only good books, such as this one!
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Summary: Intense Look at the Human Spirit
Review: Countless parallels can be drawn between two of Dostoyevsky's most celebrated works, Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. But it is not an ironic coincidence since Dostoyevsky literature is pervaded with three perpetual themes: the craving for faith, nature for freedom, and origin of evil. And The Brothers Karamazov, as the pinnacle of Dostoyevsky's career, is an amazing combination of all the elements that contribute to the intrigues of psychology and religion. The plot evolves around the murder of a depraved landowner, Fyodor Karamazov. The trial itself takes place later in the book with the three sons of Karamazov playing seemingly afflicting roles. It is not accurate to assume each brother's position according to the three themes; simply, each brother represents a unique combination of all three themes with incoherent reactions and consequences. Alyosha is identified as the hero of the novel, and he is the Dostoyevsky's final attempt to personify Christ. Ivan, the second son, is a revolutionary intellectual who more or less symbolizes Dostoyevsky's ideal of "craving for faith". Acting as Raskolnikov's counterpart, Ivan is Dostoyevsky's attempt to refute the rising radical idealism. It is Dmitri's passion for two women that ultimately triggers the catastrophe. Nature of freedom is truly manifested in this unhappy man desperately trying to regenerate. Held in comparison with Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov dares to manifest the two abysses of human nature with somewhat less realistic and more surreal characters. The plot itself evolves around life's many paradox; for example, the elder himself once led a notorious career; and Dostoyevsky paints a not-so-promising picture of church, overwhelmed with dark oppression. Also, instead of one female character that symbolizes love and religion, Dmitri's sin is only justified through the love of two completely different women. Ironic enough, neither women possess Sonya's divine serenity. Katerina, Dmitri's former betrothed, loves him out of gratitude, and when her convinced love is ruthlessly rejected, she seeks revenge and helplessly falls for Ivan. Grushenka, a player figure that continuously tempts Fyodor and Dmitri's passion, sees herself as the cause to the calamity since many believe Dmitri's motive of murder to be jealousy. But nonetheless, Dostoyevsky strives for balance and sense of truth that is usually found in the middle of extremities. And just as the Devil recites from Terence's comedy Heautontimoroumenous (The Self-torturer), "Satan sum et nihil humanum a me alienum puto" (I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me), The Brothers Karamazov captures the struggle we are only too familiar with, and frames forever "those moments when the lie becomes the truth".
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Summary: Sensualists Unite!
Review: I read this book two years ago but have pulled it up here on Amazon.com to review because it has remained fixed in my memory for the duration. Although I could not give you all of the details of the plot (1200 pages worth?) I must say there are certain things that I will never forget. Probably the foremost is the Karamazovs' battle of sensualism--the conflict of passion with consequence, chaos with order! How does one reconcile one's dark temptations with morality in a world which seems to have no greater consequences than those already inflicted on the human mind? Fyodor conquers these mind-boggling topics with ease, and though you may never understand all of the complications in the many characters' minds, you will never forget the odd and charming way in which they relate... also, watch for a fantastic cameo from the devil himself... :)
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Summary: Definition of Humanity
Review: From one spectrum of life to the other Dostoevsky captures the essence of man. The turmoils, the curiosity, the depravity, the honor, and the veneration and about a million other aspects of being human are wrapped up in this book. You can imagine the characters. They are brought through with incredible vividness. The wonderful thing about his work is it is as easy to read as a prime time soap opera is to watch. Heavy Drama.
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Summary: One of the greatest works of fiction
Review: Every couple of weeks or so, I encounter a book which causes me to value the author as 'great'. This happens when I haven't read a Dostoyevsky novel in a while. His novels are so distinct, in fact many are flawed technically, they leave one with a profound ineffable feeling of despair, while concurrently feeling a new power over your life with the knowledge he has bequethed to you. This book is brilliant, the brothers aptly represent conflicting ways of living; by action, by intellect, and by emotion. This almost reaches the synthesis of these that Teilhard De Chardin did in a biological way.
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Summary: reader from Kalamazoo
Review: The Brothers Karamazov truly ranks as one of the greatest books I have ever read...and I have read hundreds of books. The details may be mundane for some readers but it plays out a fascinating story. I highly recommend this novel to people who look for truth over entertainment and value thought over sensation.
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Summary: Best book ever written!
Review: I think Dostoyevsky was and will be the best author the world can ever see... and "The Brothers Karamazov", his last novel, is one of his master pieces. In fact, if you asked me, I would name all of his novels a master piece! Whatever, "The Brothers Karamazov" is there for you to discover the secrets of life itself. Whether you believe in God or not, whether you are Christian or Moslem or Jewish, there are so many things you can find about you and the realities of life! The story basically answers all of the questions in your mind you have asked yourself but were somewhat suspicious to find any answer... but this book tells you all the answers - and with more than only one point of view! Religion, love, friendship, murder, hatret... whatever you are looking forward to finding out in a story - the life itself, in short - is included in this great novel. It for sure is no time spent for nonsense. Moreover, it teaches you a great deal about finding the real "you in yourself". An excellent book! I doubt any other author will ever be able to reach the powerful writing of Dostoyevsky. Read it, and see how right i am!
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Summary: Its intense, and worth all 900 pp.
Review: When I started reading the Brothers Karamazov, I thought I was prepared. I put off reading "the masterpiece," as so many have called it, by reading other pieces by Dostoevsky like the Gambler, Notes From the Underground, and the Idiot. Both books exposed me to a dynamic that I have found in no other author, but even then they could not prepare me for what I found in the pages of BK. Never was Dostoevsky so compelling, so poignant, so insightful, so utterly powerful as in this novel. By illustrating the extremes of which man is capable, from wretchedness to redemption, he makes his case for the love of humanity even more powerful. When I said I wasn't prepared to read this novel, I meant that nothing else I've ever read had the intensity of ideas and plot as the Brothers K...
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Summary: Incredible insight on the nature of man.
Review: I read this novel on a recommendation from my English teacher and also because I had heard great things about Dostoevsky. Now, I had never read a work by Dostoevsky, so I did not know what to expect. This book is so incredibly powerful that I could not put it down; constantly wondering what would happen to this character or that. The characterization by Dostoevsky is amazing. Each of the four brothers is a character in his own right, but also seem to form different parts of one whole. I found myself sympathizing with them during the hardships in the novel. A very important work of literature.
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