Discussions
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golovin_benny
Brothers K's story line doesn't really diverge from any other of Doestoevsky's novels...brothers who get into trying to redeem a woman who's reduced to prostitution. I liked it...although I think it took me about a month to read it. And because it's Russian, you can't be skimming.
posted 6 years ago.
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hkadman
A great inspiring novel. No other author knows to dissect the human mind, to analyze every bit of it like Dostoevsky.
posted 5 years ago.
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hkadman removed this reply 5 years ago
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hkadman
A great inspiring novel. No other author knows to dissect the human mind, to analyze every bit of it like Dostoevsky.
posted 5 years ago.
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Peach
For some reason, I really liked Ivan best, even though it seems like Dostoevsky wants you to like Alyosha best. Actually, I've heard people argue that Ivan is evil, and there might be some truth to that.
posted 5 years ago.
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aidspositive
i think ivan's questions are really valid and are really true even to this day. he's not necessarily evil. he doesn't reject god for some wrong reason. i believe he just felt that someone has to be responsible for all the wrong things happening in the world and he just felt he has to point God. but... i like Alyosha more because of his positivity
posted 5 years ago.
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Mary N
I like Ivan best too! There is something about him that is so special that I have never encountered in any other character :)
posted 5 years ago.
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mujtaba a
It was the book that opne my eyse on human nature and psychology,therefroe i call uphon all my frieds to read it
posted 5 years ago.
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mujtaba a
It was the book that opne my eyse on human nature and psychology,therefroe i call uphon all my frieds to read it
posted 5 years ago.
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mujtaba a
It was the book that opne my eyse on human nature and psychology,therefroe i call uphon all my frieds to read it
posted 5 years ago.
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Jun C
i finally finished the introduction. l want to read the book when i'll have several days off from daily chores. Looks like it requires serious reading.
posted 5 years ago.
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HummingBirdy
I'm considering reading The Brothers Karamozov, but am unsure which translation I should purchase. Any suggestions?
posted 5 years ago.
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samantha l
i have the bantam classic The Brothers Karamozov, intro by Konstantin Mochulsky. i'm not sure if this helps any but the isbn # is 0-553-21216-8
posted 5 years ago.
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Laksh
I highly reccomend Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky's 1990 translation of the book...
Finally in a Translation, u get the whole magical world of Dostoevsky!posted 5 years ago.
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HummingBirdy
I plan to read The Brothers Karamazov, but am unsure which translation to purchase. Any suggestions?
posted 5 years ago.
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Mr. V removed this reply 5 years ago
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tomawesome
you can learn all about the book by listening to the podcast at http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details.php?seriesid=1906978306 (Phil 7 Existentialism in Literature and Film). I appreaciate it much more than I would otherwise.
posted 5 years ago.
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kaTia
Oh! I've been listening to the Roman Empire podcast on that came site, and I noticed Phil 7 on there but I didn't know it talked about this book. Thanks for the tip!
posted 4 years ago.
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Tyler O
What a solid book... I just started it a second time and really am digging it way more than the first time... especially after discussing the book for months at http://fyodordostoevsky.com/ My favorite by Dostoevsky is, by far, the Idiot... such a great story with an awesome message
posted 5 years ago.
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Mary M
Wow. My book club is reading this and it feels like I am reading something that is amazing, yet it is written in a style that takes a lot of concentration. I love how Dostoevsky can tell the life story and sum up the basic nature of a man in three paragraphs. The people I know don't philosophize one one hundredth as much as he does. This book is the antithesis of a blog.
posted 5 years ago.
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Clay W
Einstein proclaimed it to be one of, if not the, most important pieces of "modern" literature.
Hard to beat that endorsementposted 4 years ago.
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Teodora
I can't praise this book enough; it's actually one of those pieces of literature that has changed my view on things regading life and others. His characters are brilliantly crafted, everyone is so three-dimentional, so real and frighteningly easy to realte to. The book during with they interrogate Mitya is some of the most heart-breaking, intense, and incredibly real literature I've ever read. He is an incredible thinker with the ability to weave his philosophies into everyday life. Trully, a Russian genius and this is one of the greatest books in the world of literature.
posted 4 years ago.
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Selina C
What is it about Russian literature? Dostoyevsky, Chekhov,Turgenev, Tolstoy..all brilliant..in terms of delinating character they just seem light years ahead of other nationalities or am I just generalising? Something in the air? The harsh winters giving them time to write and be introspective? The huge expanse of the country itself?
posted 4 years ago.
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Peach
I too have wondered why so much of Russian literature turns out to be great. I think most of their greatest writers were contemporaries. For instance, Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy were both writing during the “Golden Age” of Russian literature. I think that Russian literature wasn’t necessarily better than European literature, but it was clearly different because, due to the political landscape of the time, many of those writers consciously rejected the European way of doing things. So while it’s sometimes difficult to tell a French author from an English one, once things have been translated, the Russian writing of that time had qualities peculiar to itself.
posted 4 years ago.
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Teo
No. I don;t tink you are generalising. It is true. The russian literature is know as being one of the best of the world. Personaly I can't say whay it is so maybe it just the fact that it is of such good quality
posted 4 years ago.
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chetan t
I myself am not a connoisseur of russian literature, although I have tasted a bit of Gogol and have been hooked to Dostoyevsky ever since I inadvertently picked up C&P from my local library. Still, I agree with your statement based purely on the dark spiritually harrowing and morally puzzling psychological commentary that Dostoyevsky indulges in with such an ease that his work seems more like a perpetual cry from one's own flesh and blood rather than a structured work of literature. The flow is unstoppable and tends to carry u along....Being from the Himalayas myself, I do believe the harsh weather subjects people to much more inward thinking and introspection...I think even huxley talked bout it in brave new world when Bernard was being sent to Iceland.
posted 4 years ago.
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Ellis P
I just finished this novel this evening and I am just floored with how great it is. I understand now why people have to read this multiple times. It is truly one of those books that will reward multiple reads for as long as one is willing to revisit it. Stunning, beautiful, and moving. There is so much thinking to do about this novel. Fantastic.
posted 4 years ago.
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Matthew
I think Ivan is my favorite character. I see myself in him more than any other character (flaws and all). Having said that, every character is so perfectly crafted that it's nearly impossible to choose a favorite. What a wonderful human exploration this book is.
posted 4 years ago.
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Israel B
I love Ivan also. I think the most telling insight into his character is when Dimitri tells Alyosha " Ivan is a grave."
posted 2 years ago.
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Gianfranco R
The first time I laid my eyes on Monet "Waterlillies" my remark was there must be a god, no mortal could ever produce such beauty. I am not overly religious, but after reading Karamozov, I cannot help but feel the same way. This story will live with me for the rest of my life.
posted 4 years ago.
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Israel B
Yes. This book changed my life. I sometimes tend to classify peope I encounter in my life as Alyosha's, Ivan's, or Dimitri's.
posted 2 years ago.
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phil m
Sorry to seem so shallow, but this one bored me to tears. With the glowing exception of Crime and Punishment, I've never cared for Russian Literature. I find the 19th century Russian aristocracy to be a boring bunch of people; their values escape me, particularly with respect to women. It seemed that they worshipped the image of femininty, yet gave them no credit for having any thought worthy of a man's consideration. I realized that is not unique to 19th century Russia, yet the Russian classics seem to hit me with it a little harder than the rest.
posted 3 years ago.
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Linda C
Jumping off of Matthew's comment about characters -- what struck me when I read this monumental work is the richness of the characters, their complexity, and their depth. There are major and minor characters, and I couldn't help but pick some favorites in both levels. I so loved Alyosha -- was so taken with him. Loved his idealism and his childlike optimism and unconditional love, not only for his family but for everyone he encountered. I love what he did for another one of my favorite characters, Ilyusha. The Epilogue broke my heart -- I kept hoping for his recovery. I think one of Dostoevsky's major strengths was his ability to bring his characters to life. I could just see Little Mother, could smell Zosima in the coffin, and the spectre of Fydor (the father) haunted me all through the book just as it haunted his two older sons. I thought Dostoevsky was great at portraying the women, as well, and not every male is capable of this. He captured their mystery, and was able to illuminate them to the point that created the respect which women were (and are) able to generate in men of character. I couldn't help but love Mitya, and can identify with some of his demons. Just wondering which of the women I would have chosen between those two formidable females that wound their way into his heart, had it been my choice.
posted 3 years ago.
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Joe T
I think he makes some pretty bizarre choices about the detail he gives of some of the characters and the lack detail about some of others.
posted 2 years ago.
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Israel B
I loved Alyosha, admired and felt sorrow for Ivan, and shook my head at Dimitri. I have never read a book that so illuminated the human condition.
posted 2 years ago.
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dj_freeart
I just read the first 200 pages, it's very boring so I stopped the reading. The translation is very poor in French, long monotonous sentences, no action, no feelings. Could somebody tell me if it's getting better in the next chapters?
posted 2 years ago.
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Eric U
I am only about 175 pages in but for some reason I just can't put this book down, which is saying a lot. Most books I get bored after 100 or so pages but this one has gotten me hooked.
posted 2 years ago.
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awarrumbungle
I'm really struggling with with his characterisations of woman - generally hysterical! Does anyone else agree or can explain why?
posted 1 year ago.
