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Summary: The best novel ever
Review: The best novel ever written by anyone anywhere. As literature, only Hamlet is in the same class. This, Dostoyevsky's last and greatest novel, capitualutes his whole philosophy of life. Everything is covered here: faith, doubt, mercy, justice, love, jealousy, fanaticism, sin, mysticism - I could go on and on and on. And on. (And on.)As is usual with Dostoyevsky, saintly and lovable characters are juxtaposed with loathsome and horrid ones, and pretty much put on the same plane. In fact, the novel is full of closely joined opposites; it's a massive work of dialectic. And as is often found with dialectic, there are no easy answers given to life's great questions. The questions are posed, and many possible answers are given, but no pat formulae are given; they just don't exist. This is the kind of book that changes lives. I'm not the same for having read it.
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Summary: Huh?
Review: Other reviews comment on the strength of this book, comparing it to religious texts in its power. Though I have never followed religion or supersticions, Dostoevsky has challenged my beliefs, for surely no human (but maybe a deity or an E.T.??) could write such an unspeakably admirable work, one so brain-popping in its breadth of thought. Nearly every page is a marvel, and -whereas in many other novels the climax holds the one packet of wisdom-, through-out this book there are passages that, even in translation, can do little else but boggle the reader, so powerful are the words and the impressions that they form.
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Summary: supercilious
Review: I read this book because I had met someone who had named their firstborn after the hero and he felt it was the best book he had ever read so I had to read it. I think it doesn't translate very well from russian I think I counted the word , supercilious used at least 5 times. Its political and gives you a flavor of life in russia at that time but for asthetics it lacked evolution of character.
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Summary: it's THE book
Review: [insert rants and raves in favor of Dostoevsky that have been covered already in previous reviews]... Now, for my real grievance: I am going to cry if anyone again dares mention Ayn Rand in the company of greats like Dostoevsky again. For some reason, two reviews already have compared Atlas Shrugged with The Brothers Karamozov and it truly frightens me. One is a book of indelible beauty, one is best used for dog training read them both [if you have time to waste on rand] and see which is which
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Summary: If This Doesn't Seem Like Your Kind Of Thing, Think Again!
Review: Personally, I like short, contemporary novels. The Brothers at first seemed to be far from anything I might like, but this book overtook me. The characters are extremely involving, and the philosophical implications of the text are timeless. This is the kind of book your mind dwells on, even years after you've read it. On the side, I liked this better than C&P, but I still recommend them both.
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Summary: brilaint beyond comparison
Review: The greatest book from the best writer of the world's most amazing culture. What Dostoevsky does here - with complete success - is to blend a realistic character study into a novel about family, murder, and religion, all set within the context of late 19th century Russia. The Brothers Karamazov is the most profoundly philosophical book ever written (except, perhaps, Ayan Rand's Atlas Shrugged, but the Brothers K is written far better and is more interesting). Whether or not you agree with its tenets (I personally did not) it will leave you breathless - and The Grand Inquisitor will challenge your soul.
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Summary: The Brothers K is the best novel I've ever read
Review: I started reading this book and slowly, through the course of a year, drank every word and let it sit on my soul. I have yet to see any other piece of writing come as close to perfection. It delves into the human soul so much more deeply than "just philosophy" and it is certainly the best developed novel imaginable. Every character has his or her place and the action is believable because we know just how murky our own minds are! Nothing can compare to the intensity of this novel and the way it works with the mind. And it is all drawn together with characters, each one is a foil to the others. You cannot read it without being affected because we all recognize that the brothers lurk within.
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Summary: a must read
Review: this is one of the truly great books of all time. a must read if you are into the classics. i must say that i didn't find it as intense as 'crime and punishment', in some parts the novel strays a bit, something that doesn't happen in C & P. this criticism is only because the novel has such strong competition from C & P. another point is that perhaps most readers find it easier to slip into the shoes of raskolnikov from C & P than any character in BK, because the main characters in BK are slightly unreal. the chief difference i guess is that BK is a dramatized story, full of symbolisms, while C & P narrates what is an "ordinary" story of crime, but delves into the mind of the criminal so deeply that the tensions are stretched to breaking. read it!
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Summary: On the Translation
Review: While I feel the reviewers below have adequately praised the virtues of this particular work, I was sorry to see so little attention paid to the translation. This 1995 english edition makes the Brother's K more readable, more expressive and simply more enjoyable than ever.
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Summary: What is it with all these names?
Review: First of all let me say that if an author wants to sell books in this country, then use some american names for gosh sake! How in the h e double toothpicks am I suppossed to remember who's who? The fact is you can't. Hey listen, if you want to read about brothers, try that great baseball book, the brothers k. If you want to read about crime and punishment, how's about a little grisham. But this guy fred dostoyefski is going to have to write a little bit more towards his intended audience. My advice to you Freddy if you read this.........Russia went down with the Berlin wall, let's write some good old fashion mystery thrilllers! Thank you and bless all of my comrades across the pond. Long Live Gorby!
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