Rating: 
Summary: Staggering Intelligence
Review: I hesitate to even write a review for this book. I hesitate because I am afraid that someone might read it, dislike the review and thus refuse to pick the book up and read it. So I start beforehand and say: do not at all be discouraged by the idiocy of this review, only be encouraged by the fact that I decided to write it, because I haven't reviewed a book in a long time._The Brothers Karamazov_ is the most intelligent book that I have ever read. Its intelligence is perplexing not because it is hard to understand, but rather because you cannot believe that another human could come up with these ideas. Fyodor Dostoevsky, I can now say this after reading three of his books, is the greatest writer of all time, at least as he is compared to the other authors that I have dabbled in. The characters in his books are all complex and never static. They evolve with the story and their emotions are so palpable that you feel as if you are not only inside the book, but also inside that very characters head. Dostoevsky was the master psychologist. We all know what Nietzsche said about him, and I say that we all have something to learn from him. Back to this book specifically. You are familiar with its plot just by the summary Amazon.com provides you with: it is the story of three/four brothers. Every one of these brothers is so unique and different. Some of the negative criticism I have read on the website has said that it is hard to keep track of the characters. I disagree, and I do because I think that you either like or dislike all of the characters, not just the brothers, so much that you remember them and once that they open their mouths you know who is speaking. The dynamic that exists between the brothers is beautiful; because you know that deep down they all want to do the right thing. The problem exists because, with the exception of Alyosha, none of them know how to go about it. Dmitri is blinded by the love that he has for a seemingly unattainable woman, and the hurt and jealousy he feels because of his father. Ivan is the intellectual, who can't juxtapose a loving God and a cruel world. Alyosha is the "sane" character in all of this. He represents Dostoevsky's Christian principles in human form. I won't speak of the "alleged" fourth brother, other than to say that the actions he takes are probably the most interesting in the book. I cannot say enough about this book. There are certain passages that make you want to weep from sadness, and others where you feel you will weep from joy. I personally loved my translation, and from looking at the bookstore yesterday, and reading certain passages from other translations, I believe that the best translation is the much acclaimed Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky version. But enough of my little diatribe. I have said my peace on this book, and I hope that I have conveyed at least a tenth of my feelings about it. It is simply astounding.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best novels ever written
Review: It's no exaggeration to say that I found BK to be by far the most engaging, emotionally satisfying novel I've ever read - which is stunning, considering it was written over a century ago and had to endure the painful process of translation to English. It is a book that is not afraid to grapple with the Big Questions: the existence of God and the Devil, the loss and rebirth of faith, the depths of human misery and triumph. Dostoevsky (as anyone who read Crime & Punishment can attest) is unbeatable when it comes to exploring the human psyche. In BK, he merely ups the ante by taking the reader on a journey into the minds of three very different young men - all siblings, all forced to deal with a tragedy and its aftermath. The first portion of the novel builds slowly, climaxing in Dostoevsky's famous chapter "The Grand Inquisitor". Following is an intricate criminal investigation and courtroom drama, a probing of the question of "moral guilt" vs. "actual guilt", and a spellbinding confrontation with the Devil. Perhaps more than any other work of fiction, BK succeeds in its aim of exploring the Big Questions and their relation to human nature. It's a novel that truly affects the way one looks at the world and at oneself.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant, but tedious
Review: The Elder Zosima, a character in the book, had the almost psychic ability to understand a person just by looking at them. Fyodor Dostoevsky apparently had the same ability, judging from his intimate knowledge of so many different personalities. Each character differs from the others, yet good and evil wrestle in each of them, leaving the reader feeling that Dostoevsky can peep even into the souls of his readers. It is a haunting story not only because of the psychological content, but also the philosophical questions which reach to the core of life's meaning. How can there be a God if there is so much evil in the world? And yet if there is no God, how could a murderer's conscience drive him to the point of insanity or suicide? Though the themes and characters are fascinating, the length of dialogues and number of characters are overwhelming. Both attorneys in the book gave speeches that were three chapters long, Ivan's was two chapters long, and the Elder Zosima gave a farewell address that lasted six chapters! All of these lectures are made even more tedious by the many names and characters that require the reader to page back through the book to simply remember when each character was introduced. I'm sure that if today's publishers were the first to read the book, they would chop out a huge percent of the ponderings and lectures, and insist that each character maintain just one name. Yet the book would be far less stimulating if it were chopped. Potential readers should prepare their minds for not just a simple narrative, but also a text on philosophy and psychology.
Rating:
Summary: Don't you dare go to your grave without reading this book!
Review: From the moment I finished John Irving's A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY in 1989, I would literally beg everyone I knew to read it. Up until March 1997 I proclaimed APFOM the greatest novel I'd ever read. Then I read THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. It's now 1998 and I'm still haunted by this apotheosis of Dostoyevsky's incredible oeuvre. I've never had any attachment to God (I neither believe nor disbelieve in God; to each his own worship, I always say). That these two books dealt so profoundly with God will perplex me for the rest of my life. To whatever force in the universe it was that led me to these two masterpieces, all I can say is THANK YOU. Maybe these two titans of American and Russian literature have served as messages to me to keep an open mind. And even if I ultimately wind up in hell and thus miss out on the chance to chat with God in heaven, I will always be eternally grateful that the greatest novel ever written, THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV, and the second-greatest novel ever written, A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, were a part of my life here on Earth.
Rating:
Summary: Dostoyevsky the Inquisitor, Dostoyevsky the Genius
Review: Some call this book - with good reason - the best novel ever written. Even the author himself realized that he had written something deserving of continuation. Dostoyevsky's death, however, halted these dreams and we can only wonder how it would be possible to top this literary atomic bomb. Why atomic bomb? The power and breadth of The Brother's Karamazov are so huge and so effective - even today - that its power and energy has a half-life that rivals that of deadly nuclear material. Its darkness is so deadly as to suggest that God, as Christ coming back for a semi-return, could be sat down and questioned like a common criminal in the Grand Inquisitor. And, even more deadly, questioned by a member of the clergy. No doubt, however, this is the author himself asking the questions we dare not ask of God, for they are too scandalous for us to even ponder. Amidst the darkness and ludicrous antics of the characters stands a shining figure of Dostoyevsky's hero: Alyosha. Reflecting Prince Myishkin in his other great novel, The Idiot, Dostoyevsky paints a figure of innocence with his colorful words and abundant descriptions. Against Alyosha Ivan and Dimitry are compared and contrasted. Each possesses some hint of their brothers innocence, but reject it in their own personal darkness. Yes, the fallout from this bomb is still felt today, quoted by countless speakers, preachers and teachers. We, the common people, can only stand back and bask in the glow of a literary great. If you haven't read The Brother's Karamazov, you simply have not truly read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Dostoyevsky book!
Review: God, murder, a love triangle, and a trial, these are the things that Dostoyevsky loves to write about. Unlike the Idiot, where I felt there was a overemphasis on Prince Myskin, I felt that each of the three brothers, Dmitry, Ivan, and Aloysha had their own equal emphasis and character development.
Rating:
Summary: A dark, affecting look at man's soul (or lack thereof)
Review: In his most comprehensive (and not coincidentally, his final) masterpiece, Dostoyevsky addresses and discusses a number of the most fundamental and universal issues which face man. His multiple perspectives are embodied in seperate characters -- taken together, these characters form the whole of the Karamazov family, and these perspectives constitute the whole of Dostoyevsky's view. Each of the brothers represents a distinct school of thought or values -- the impulsive Dmitri portrays the instinctive and carnal desires of man; the nihilist, Ivan, displays the cold and unforgiving intellectual, governed by the rules of logic alone; the religious Alyosha, student to the Great Elder Zossima, depicts the humble and devout spiritualist. While the murder of their father, Fyodor Karamazov, is the catalyst to the real action of the book, it is certainly not the central focus -- a fact that might be surmised in light of the fact that the murder is not carried out until more than halfway through the text. Instead, the work is a discussion and analysis of man's values and beliefs, and an affirmation of Dostoyevsky's fundamental conviction: that the presence of the human spirit cannot be denied without disastrous results, and that despite the assertions of the nihilists, God is a necessary element in the world of man.
Rating:
Summary: A review by a realist
Review: I'd first like to correct an error from a previous review. The translator is not Constance Garnett; it is one Andrew MacAndrew (tragic name, I know), and the prose is snappy and completely understandable. I was surprised by how informal the writing was at times, and I think the translator probably captured the style, although I can't be sure because I don't know Russian. As for the actual book, the material presented, the characters developed and the themes explored, this book is really good. But not perfect. It starts out wonderfully. Meeting the brothers, and that crazy father of theirs, is a joy. Hilarious, sometimes painfully awkward. The saga of Grueshenka and Katya is compelling, and the plight of our little boy Ilyusha is the best part of the book. Other parts of the novel are not so exciting. Like the entirity of Book VI, about the Elder Zosima. He tells us all about his life and his thoughts on the Bible, and how you should be nice to kids. If you are looking for a book to skip, this is it. Some of book XII is painful as well. We already know all about the theories of the murder, but we have to listen to both the prosecutor and defense attorney tell us about it from a psychological point of view. Important I know, because Dostoevsky was trying to say something about justice, about crime and punishment. But, all literary snobbery aside, it's boring. So chapters 6-13 in Book 12 can be optional if you're not interested in the nature of judgement. The book also relies on excessive coincidence and unlikely circumstances. It can get pretty outlandish. But overall, an enjoyable read. Good characterization, and the conflicts and love between the brothers is fascinating to read about. The theories early on in the book about the existence of God are thought-provoking. You'll love that Alyosha, whether you are a believer or non-believer.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: This book took me three months to read but it was well worth it. The character development and plot will not let you put this book down. I could see the traits of the characters in many people I have meet throughout my like. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Dostoevsky, beginners maybe start elsewhere
Review: The Brothers Karamazov is a magnificent piece of literature. Anyone the least bit familiar with Fyodor Dostoevsky will easily spot his hand at work here, which means some familiar ground for readers of other works by the author. This is not at all negative, however; this volume overflows with illuminating, thought-provoking Dostoevsky ideas. The Constance Garnett translation is somewhat awkward; I find Garnett overly monotonous and convoluted. Though Dostoevsky is no quick nor casual read, his text was certainly confused in some of Garnett's meandering passages. I feel other translators do a more concise and entertaining job, while keeping the same ideas intact, though I've only briefly read other translations. To give evidence to my critique, the notes on translation in the back of my text indicate some issues, including the title itself! Instead of "The Brothers Karamazov," the book should probably be "The Karamazov Brothers." As editor Ralph E. Matlaw states, "we do not refer to 'the brothers Kennedy'," and I'll mention "the sisters Hilton." On the bright side, I feel the strange title makes the book feel more "foreign" and exotic. Matlaw also states Garnett doesn't just confuse the reader with some language, but actually simplifies and cleans up other language, turning at least one character into a more polished version than Doestoevsky probably intended. Thankfully, Garnett's peculiarities become familiar and comfortable. Overall, this book is sufficiently readable. Of note to first-time Dostoevsky readers is the extreme number of characters quickly introduced near the beginning of the book, with the traditional cavalcade of Russian names, surnames, and nicknames. This is no deficiency of the translator, but rather a difficulty inherent with the source text. Fans of Dostoevsky may simply be wondering: is this worth the time to read? After taking in all 700+ pages, I can answer a resounding yes. Ideas introduced in earlier works are here fleshed out into living, breathing, bleeding human beings. I feel the characters are some of the most real I've ever encountered in literature. The variety in people eases the reader's process of identifying with a character; I identified with multiple throughout the book. For those being introduced to Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment may be better, simply because Karamazov has a slow, disorienting beginning. However, if you enjoy the Russian master, you will relish in the delight of Karamazov.
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