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Rating: 
Summary: An Intense Masterpiece
Review: The Brothers Karamazov is a dramatic and insightful Russian novel written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. In this novel, Dostoyevsky intricately weaves the actions and emotions of his characters to create a masterpiece that describes the flaws and complications of society. As well as drawing out an intricate plot of a patricide, Dostoyevsky also confronts discrepancies in religion, the contrast between social classes, the power of money and love, and the complexity of the human nature.
Although many people are discouraged by its length, I strongly recommend this novel because of Dostoyevsky's ingenious writing style. He depicts the culture of Russian society through the case of a disputed murder as well as debating the line between good and evil. He also challenges the morals and lifestyles of that time, revealing his inner struggles to the reader. Dostoyevsky uses a wide variety of people in society as his characters: from wealthy individuals to impoverished families, from atheists to religious elders, from bastards to legitimate children, and from buffoons to moral figures. Between the characters, he draws parallels and contrasts in order to emphasize hope in the midst of a severe and cruel society.
What I love most about this novel is the character development. In the very beginning of the book, Dostoyevsky introduces his main characters by describing each of their backgrounds and their development to the point of the central plot. Thus, the reader feels as if he has grown up with these characters and understands each of their personalities. Each character is viewed realistically: they have imperfections and strengths, as well as unpredictable and unique qualities that could be found in people today. The reader is torn by the differences between each character that eventually lead to disaster and confusion. Overall, Dostoyevsky paints an almost flawless picture of humanity, captivating the reader with his intensely detailed and overall beautiful piece of literature.
This book is not very easy to read; it requires much concentration and contemplation. However, its depth and incredible composition has placed it as one of literature's greatest works. I highly recommend this novel and encourage the reader to be persistent when the reading becomes tedious, because, in the end, they will never regret picking up the book, as I never will.
Rating:
Summary: A goldmine of theology, philosophy, and psychology.
Review: The Brothers Karamazov is a masterpiece of Russian literature. Though this must be qualified somewhat: don't pick up Karamazov if you expect an easy read. Dostoyevsky makes you work for enjoyment from his novels, and Karamazov, being his magnum opus, is incredibly inaccessible to the casual reader. Dostoyevsky must be studied. Karamazov has parables (The Grand Inquisitor is a benchmark of atheist philosophy), numerous characters (who are often called by their patronyms and their first names, or both at the same time, so beware), is polyphonic, and often times tedious. I will be the first to admit that Dostoyevsky is writing for a purpose, so elegant prose is secondary to him - not to say that he doesn't write well, there are some sections that have stunning imagery, but his overall style, the proportions of the text, can be quite foreboding.
However, if you want to learn about 19th century Russian existentialism, scientism, the rational egoists, criminal psychology, the nature of rebellion (a good companion is Mikhail Bahktin's The Rebel, also considered a classic), love, religion, relationships (the spine of the story is patricide!), then The Brothers Karamazov is the perfect book. Just be prepared to read commentaries and take notes. Dostoyevsky has a reputation as one of the hardest of the Russian writers, but also as one of the most rewarding.
A brilliant book, but one for a very specific and dedicated audience. I recommend it highly, but for personal culturing and knowledge rather than quick pleasure. If you are looking for a dense, rich book, then this is perhaps the best. It is a goldmine of knowledge and ideas, but you have to work for it. This novel might be Georgian: if you don't kill it, it'll kill you.
Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The whole package
Review: This book is over 900 pages long, and it took me only 2 weeks to read it, while working full time, which is a true testament to its compelling plot and masterful prose. That being said, this is not an easy read, but demands much of the reader. Besides being the recounting of a fictional parricide and the ensuing courtroom drama, this is also Dostoevsky's greatest rumination on the meaning of life, the difference between good and evil, the phenomenon of human guilt, and the existence of God and the Devil. Phew. The novel begins with introduction of the three Karamazov brothers (there is one other bastard son, but he is largely in the background), Alexei, Dmitry, and Ivan. All are unique and represent different parts of the human psyche. Alexei is benevolent and good, Dmitry is passionate and generous, Ivan is serious and intellectual. They all have their inner battles with God, which Dostoevsky brilliantly brings into the plot without losing the believability of the characters. About halfway through the book, their father, Fyodor Karamazov is murdered. Much like Dostoevsky's victim in "Crime and Punishment", Fyodor is an unsympathetic character who treated his sons horribly. Dmitry is the immediate suspect and a trial follows. Even though Dmitry is blamed for the murder, this novel circles around collective guilt in the eyes of God (if he exists, which is a question that clearly torments Dostoevsky). Who is responsible for the maltreatment of the Karamazov children? Who is responsible for tolerance of Dmitry's excesses? A rich cast of characters brings every possible aspect of personality into this debate, making this novel one of the most complete and well-rounded I have ever read. The theme of this book is the human condition...what it means to be human, to have freedom of choice, to have a moral conscience...issues that have been the subject of eternal debate, but find some of their clearest conveyence here in Dostoevsky's prose. This book starts out a bit slow; Dostoevsky doesn't give the reader much of an intro before he launches into a treatise on religion and the state. But I promise that it picks up quickly and never lets go. Be prepared for your mind to travel to all sorts of different places. This book is entertaining, thought provoking, literary...it's the whole package. One of the finest books I have ever read or will ever hope to read.
Rating:
Summary: The whole package
Review: This book is over 900 pages long, and it took me only 2 weeks to read it, while working full time, which is a true testament to its compelling plot and masterful prose. That being said, this is not an easy read, but demands much of the reader. Besides being the recounting of a fictional parricide and the ensuing courtroom drama, this is also Dostoevsky's greatest rumination on the meaning of life, the difference between good and evil, the phenomenon of human guilt, and the existence of God and the Devil. Phew. The novel begins with introduction of the three Karamazov brothers (there is one other bastard son, but he is largely in the background), Alexei, Dmitry, and Ivan. All are unique and represent different parts of the human psyche. Alexei is benevolent and good, Dmitry is passionate and generous, Ivan is serious and intellectual. They all have their inner battles with God, which Dostoevsky brilliantly brings into the plot without losing the believability of the characters. About halfway through the book, their father, Fyodor Karamazov is murdered. Much like Dostoevsky's victim in "Crime and Punishment", Fyodor is an unsympathetic character who treated his sons horribly. Dmitry is the immediate suspect and a trial follows. Even though Dmitry is blamed for the murder, this novel circles around collective guilt in the eyes of God (if he exists, which is a question that clearly torments Dostoevsky). Who is responsible for the maltreatment of the Karamazov children? Who is responsible for tolerance of Dmitry's excesses? A rich cast of characters brings every possible aspect of personality into this debate, making this novel one of the most complete and well-rounded I have ever read. The theme of this book is the human condition...what it means to be human, to have freedom of choice, to have a moral conscience...issues that have been the subject of eternal debate, but find some of their clearest conveyence here in Dostoevsky's prose. This book starts out a bit slow; Dostoevsky doesn't give the reader much of an intro before he launches into a treatise on religion and the state. But I promise that it picks up quickly and never lets go. Be prepared for your mind to travel to all sorts of different places. This book is entertaining, thought provoking, literary...it's the whole package. One of the finest books I have ever read or will ever hope to read.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Rewarding
Review: This is one of the more rewarding reads I've had. Dostootevsky gives you so much of the characters histories, emotions and thoughts that you feel you truly know them by the end. I can see how the long dialogues on philosophical issues might seem a little tedious; you definately don't want to attack this book until you got a good chuck of time to spend on it. However, if you do have the time to give it the attention it requires, I think it's one of those gems that will surely enrich your life afterwords.
Rating: 
Summary: Tough read but rewarding classic
Review: This was without compare the slowest, painstaking read yet for me. I am in a book club with two others and neither finished it because it is so heavy. I found enough treasures in it to keep me going, but it was tough. The book is strong on character development and dialogue but weak on action and plot advancement. Dostoyevsky takes many opportunities to discuss philosophy, theology/spirituality and politics. Most of these treatsies are enlightening as are the characters speaking. I have so often seen quotations taken from this book that I expected to enjoy it much more than I did. It felt like work, but I am done and glad that I read it. I'm sure you will be too if you can get through it.
Rating:
Summary: Tough read but rewarding classic
Review: This was without compare the slowest, painstaking read yet for me. I am in a book club with two others and neither finished it because it is so heavy. I found enough treasures in it to keep me going, but it was tough. The book is strong on character development and dialogue but weak on action and plot advancement. Dostoyevsky takes many opportunities to discuss philosophy, theology/spirituality and politics. Most of these treatsies are enlightening as are the characters speaking. I have so often seen quotations taken from this book that I expected to enjoy it much more than I did. It felt like work, but I am done and glad that I read it. I'm sure you will be too if you can get through it.
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