“I made a very slow start on this novel, but from midway to the end it really had me gripped. I'm sure certain things were lost on me, in terms of the cultural and religious references/symbolism. However, what I do come away with is how skilled a writer Dostoevsky is in building up stories within a story. He could have taken that book in so many different directions. More significantly, he is renowned for his ability to dissect human nature with simple or great detail and that is where like many others I praise him.
To create such perfection in Aloysha's character without the reader despising or not believing his sincerity is not easily done. I assume he is a Christ-like figure. I liked Ivan simply because I felt I identified with his views and outlook. As for Dmitry, along with Kolya they both represent human nature the best. We are not defined by one or similar characteristics, but often contrasting characteristics.
I wish there had been a whole book with Kolya as the main character, taking us from birth to death, but oh well. I thoroughly enjoyed his character. I started off feeling very uneasy about him, then felt at heart he was a good person, but I always had an underlying feeling he could be the devil incarnate which is why Aloysha's words of wisdom at the end made much sense to me.”
