Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Read, Thoroughly Engrossing Masterpiece
Review: In an attempt to cultivate a more enlightened self, I recently chose to read Fyodor Dostoevsky's, The Brothers Karamazov. I have never read anything quite like this, though admittedly, I am not extensively read in the classics, and most assuredly, this is a literary masterpiece. A most enjoyable read, clever, humorous, but most importantly, an extremely thought-provoking piece of work, this nearly 800-page novel (the translation that I read has 796 pages) that barely scanned a two-month period managed to capture my rapt interest. Dostoevsky's book could be categorized as an historical fiction as the reader is learns of the political climate and ideologies, theological thought (mainly Russian Orthodox) and social mores of the times. The novel sustained me on several levels. First, it was every bit an entertaining and intriguing novel containing mystery, homicide, unrequited love, spiritual journeys, and a father/son rivalry involving the same, duplicitous woman, just to mention a few topics. On another level, the reader is exposed to the political thoughts of mid-eighteenth century Russia, as well as that of Europe. The various new political philosophies that are bandied and discussed, cursed and applauded in the book portend change to come for Mother Russia. We also learn about the social stratum of Russia at the time. Recently liberated from serfdom, peasants are no longer bonded to the landed aristrocracy, though they are still virtual slaves to tradition, for the only difference between the former serf and free peasant is he is no longer owned by his employer. But their mere existence is as bleak and desperate as ever, and still very much dependent upon their less than benevolent masters. And for many Russian peasants only their belief in their God sustains them, which brings this to Dostoevsky's highest level, the spiritual and theological discourse that is the very heart and soul of his novel. The Brothers Karamazov is ultimately a study in human nature and the voracious need for spiritual guidance and sustenance. Dostoevsky seeming vacillates between believing in God and questioning His existence. He draws us into a most magnificent and passionate theological discourse in two of his chapters, The Grand Inquisitor and Rebellion. Dostoevsky forces the reader to examine his or her own beliefs. Religious contradiction, hypocrisy and ideals are examined throughout this book causing the reader perhaps to believe that the author himself went through much introspection and soul-searching before finally coming to the revelation that he, himself, is a true Believer. I would highly recommend this book especially to anyone wanting and willing to re-examine or explore his or her own religious perspective. Dostoevsky poses many questions that cannot be answered or be easily answered, but he does cause one to think about one's own beliefs, because a blind faith is potentially more dangerous then an informed faith. Finally, Thomas Jefferson once said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." Dostoevsky challenges us to question and search for answers to the existence of God. This discovery, or lack thereof, is determined solely by the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read, Thoroughly Engrossing Masterpiece
Review: In an attempt to cultivate a more enlightened self, I recently chose to read Fyodor Dostoevsky's, The Brothers Karamazov. I have never read anything quite like this, though admittedly, I am not extensively read in the classics, and most assuredly, this is a literary masterpiece. A most enjoyable read, clever, humorous, but most importantly, an extremely thought-provoking piece of work, this nearly 800-page novel (the translation that I read has 796 pages) that barely scanned a two-month period managed to capture my rapt interest. Dostoevsky's book could be categorized as an historical fiction as the reader is learns of the political climate and ideologies, theological thought (mainly Russian Orthodox) and social mores of the times. The novel sustained me on several levels. First, it was every bit an entertaining and intriguing novel containing mystery, homicide, unrequited love, spiritual journeys, and a father/son rivalry involving the same, duplicitous woman, just to mention a few topics. On another level, the reader is exposed to the political thoughts of mid-eighteenth century Russia, as well as that of Europe. The various new political philosophies that are bandied and discussed, cursed and applauded in the book portend change to come for Mother Russia. We also learn about the social stratum of Russia at the time. Recently liberated from serfdom, peasants are no longer bonded to the landed aristrocracy, though they are still virtual slaves to tradition, for the only difference between the former serf and free peasant is he is no longer owned by his employer. But their mere existence is as bleak and desperate as ever, and still very much dependent upon their less than benevolent masters. And for many Russian peasants only their belief in their God sustains them, which brings this to Dostoevsky's highest level, the spiritual and theological discourse that is the very heart and soul of his novel. The Brothers Karamazov is ultimately a study in human nature and the voracious need for spiritual guidance and sustenance. Dostoevsky seeming vacillates between believing in God and questioning His existence. He draws us into a most magnificent and passionate theological discourse in two of his chapters, The Grand Inquisitor and Rebellion. Dostoevsky forces the reader to examine his or her own beliefs. Religious contradiction, hypocrisy and ideals are examined throughout this book causing the reader perhaps to believe that the author himself went through much introspection and soul-searching before finally coming to the revelation that he, himself, is a true Believer. I would highly recommend this book especially to anyone wanting and willing to re-examine or explore his or her own religious perspective. Dostoevsky poses many questions that cannot be answered or be easily answered, but he does cause one to think about one's own beliefs, because a blind faith is potentially more dangerous then an informed faith. Finally, Thomas Jefferson once said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." Dostoevsky challenges us to question and search for answers to the existence of God. This discovery, or lack thereof, is determined solely by the reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Where are the WMD?
Review: It was a boring book, and I couldn't finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: overrated
Review: Moderately overrated. Screams of pseudo-philosophy, and it is questionable whether it is worth the amount of time it takes to read it. If you liked Crime and Punishment (or didn't), it will have little bearing on whether you like this book, as the two books have rather different flavors. You might enjoy Brothers Karamazov if you're are a philosophical type, or if you read it in a context in which you can discuss the novel's competing ideologies with others. It's too heavy for "beach reading," and lacks the two dimensionality of other "great" literature, which can be enjoyed on a simple plane, for the story itself, and on a deeper level. For a more satisfying experience with Russian literature, try Tolstoy.
Rating:
Summary: Best fiction I have ever read.
Review: My friend told me that this novel was Einstein's favorite, so I picked it up to see what it was all about. It is a very soul-searching book. The characters are very complex (to the point that they are simple) and real. With every character you know someone just like him/her, and yet there is a little of each within yourself. The more you study the characters and thereby yourself too, the more you will get from this book. An excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Funnier than War and Peace
Review: People say that Tolstoy and Dostoevsky vie for the position of the greatest novelists in the whole world. Who's better? Since The Brothers Karamazov is funny, I'll have to go with Dostoevsky. Scenes like Fyodor Karamazov telling a story about Diderot converting to Christianity (first part of the book) up to the German doctor's testimony in Dmitry's trial will make you want to snort. The Bernards!
Rating:
Summary: Funnier than War and Peace
Review: People say that Tolstoy and Dostoevsky vie for the position of the greatest novelists in the whole world. Who's better? Since The Brothers Karamazov is funny, I'll have to go with Dostoevsky. Scenes like Fyodor Karamazov telling a story about Diderot converting to Christianity (first part of the book) up to the German doctor's testimony in Dmitry's trial will make you want to snort. The Bernards!
Rating:
Summary: The Everest of Novels
Review: Perhaps the greatest novel ever written, I feel a bit foolish writing a "review" of The Brothers Karamazov. What I can tell you is this. The "Grand Inquisitor" chapter is without doubt the most powerful piece of writing I have ever experienced. When reading those pages, I felt my heart literally begin to beat faster.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply the best.
Review: The best translation of what is unquestionably the best book I've ever read. If you don't own this book, buy it. If you've never read it, do so.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTY WILL SAVE THE WORLD
Review: The Brothers Karamazov is one of the greatest books on earth. A murder mystery interwoven with at least four love-triangles, it explores dysfunctional families, the nature of God, erotic lacerations, the devil, and the human soul. Travelling through the Brothers Karamazov can be as gloriously dangerous as travelling through Russia. I've taught this book six times at Shimer College, and every year a portion of the class undergoes spiritual, erotic, and/or intellectual transformations. Several young Shimer women have fallen deeply in love with Alyosha Karamazov; his passionate purity is something many women want.The three (or are there four?) Karamazov brothers are wildly deep characters who may seem to allegorize the body, mind, and soul as they carouse, grieve, ruminate, love, and entangle themselves in family problems more complex than Oedipus'. Your soul's weirdest demons may pale in comparison to the devils herein, but even demons can be transfigured by the indestructible love of Father Zosima, Alyosha's spiritual teacher. Will all things eventually be forgiven? Shall we ask forgiveness of the birds? The rhetorician Kenneth Burke said that literature is "equipment for living." This book can be more useful than a deluxe Swiss army knife when you're castaway in a wilderness of suffering or global injustice. Though the Constance Garnett translation is the one that saved my life I highly applaud Pevear and Volokhonsky's grasp of the book's exaggerated earthiness. They've captured the absurdity of the crazy Karamazov world without making it unduly ironic. I roared with delight when I first read this edition! Their prose flows; they have a great sense of story line. This translation nearly captures the book's original orality; Dostoyevsky dictated swaths of it to his beloved wife, Anna (who was not only his stenographer but his agent and publisher as well as the mother of his four children!) My Russian students have told me that reading BOTH translations gives one a better sense of what Dostoyevsky intended. Are we each responsible for all? Or --is everything permitted?
|
