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citrusclient's review against another edition
I found myself reading this because it is supposed to be one of the greats. I understand it is a book about ideas but the way it is presented isn’t entertaining. Maybe I need to come back to this when I’m older.
fowadijaz's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very good book, if a bit long. The explanation of each person's motives were so believable, the hurt one felt for some of the characters so painful, that the book seemed to be about real people. The helplessness of Snegirev as he threw away Alyosha's offered money, so that he could be able to face his son with pride and show that he could not be bought...
the business with the older brother Dmitry (mitya) took up too much of the book ultimately since it was not given a satisfactory finish, since he was found guilty anyway, but maybe that was the intention of the author, to show that no matter how eloquent the defendants speech was, mitya would not be released. And furthermore, he wasn't even guiltless of the crime since he did harbour ill will, it just so happened that he did everything save the crime itself. Ivan however, was also relatable in that he felt that he was responsible since he left the town as smerdyakov instructed. That was actually so relatable it was scary.
the business with the older brother Dmitry (mitya) took up too much of the book ultimately since it was not given a satisfactory finish, since he was found guilty anyway, but maybe that was the intention of the author, to show that no matter how eloquent the defendants speech was, mitya would not be released. And furthermore, he wasn't even guiltless of the crime since he did harbour ill will, it just so happened that he did everything save the crime itself. Ivan however, was also relatable in that he felt that he was responsible since he left the town as smerdyakov instructed. That was actually so relatable it was scary.
cameronbmoon's review against another edition
5.0
Dialogue heavy, theologically dense, and full of drama. Feel like I just barely skimmed the surface of what this book has to offer, definitely worth a reread.
leonleser's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Worth the read if you like Dostojewski's writing style. Additionally, great religious and economic critique
spacemoth_matt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
satanclaus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sas02948's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bruinuclafan's review against another edition
5.0
What can I say? This is one of the greatest novels ever written for a reason. Three brothers from two mothers, a father who is basically a 19th century Donald Trump, and a twisted love triangle involving two of the brothers and the father. And as a cherry on top, a murder.
But perhaps more importantly, the book is about the struggle between religion and existentialism. Whether "everything is permitted" or not. The characters themselves wage this war within the book as well. The outcome is unclear for me, having just finished the book.
Then there is the psychology. It's as if Dostoevsky ran with the idea he started in Crime and Punishment, and blew it up into a whole world, with every character having their own detailed and unique psychological profile. Everything is analyzed. Every action has an opposite reaction on all of the characters--a supernova with often unforeseen and devastating impact. And to go meta, the closing arguments in the trial offer an indictment of psychology itself!
Every lawyer should read this book, too. It is a handbook on cataloging, analyzing, and challenging evidence, of persuasion, and of morality--how all of this can sway a jury and society.
But perhaps more importantly, the book is about the struggle between religion and existentialism. Whether "everything is permitted" or not. The characters themselves wage this war within the book as well. The outcome is unclear for me, having just finished the book.
Then there is the psychology. It's as if Dostoevsky ran with the idea he started in Crime and Punishment, and blew it up into a whole world, with every character having their own detailed and unique psychological profile. Everything is analyzed. Every action has an opposite reaction on all of the characters--a supernova with often unforeseen and devastating impact. And to go meta, the closing arguments in the trial offer an indictment of psychology itself!
Every lawyer should read this book, too. It is a handbook on cataloging, analyzing, and challenging evidence, of persuasion, and of morality--how all of this can sway a jury and society.
zlaza's review against another edition
5.0
'The Karamazov Brothers' is not the easiest novel to summarize, I don't think I can give it the justice it deserves, but I'll try my best.
'The Karamazov Brothers' was published as a serial in 1879/1880. Dostoevsky started writing it after he was released from prison, and he spent nearly two years writing it. He died less than four months after its publication.
At the most basic level 'The Karamazov Brothers' is exactly what you'd expect from the title: a story about three brothers from the Karamazov family, the sons of a nasty old man.
Dmitri - the reckless one, who seems to be an expert at digging his own grave,
Ivan - the arogant and overthinking intellectual, and
Alyosha - the timid and devoutly religious one.
The brothers reunite at their father's house because of a conflict in the family - the father and the eldest brother want to marry the same woman.
None of the three brothers were raised by their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, who is easily one of the worst fathers in fiction.
The story explores how an uncaring upbringing shapes the three brothers in different ways.
I understand why 'The Karamazov Brothers' is so highly regarded, it's a deeply philosophical work that discusses the existence of God, free will and morality. Dostoevsky exposes the human soul in all its complexity.
As a book it has everything you want in it:
fantastic and memorable characters, drama, politics, murder and humour.
It's a fantastic exploration of the human psyche.
For a 19th century novel, it's infinitely readable, gripping and relevant to this day. Every time I read it, I discover new truths about life.
'The Karamazov Brothers' was published as a serial in 1879/1880. Dostoevsky started writing it after he was released from prison, and he spent nearly two years writing it. He died less than four months after its publication.
At the most basic level 'The Karamazov Brothers' is exactly what you'd expect from the title: a story about three brothers from the Karamazov family, the sons of a nasty old man.
Dmitri - the reckless one, who seems to be an expert at digging his own grave,
Ivan - the arogant and overthinking intellectual, and
Alyosha - the timid and devoutly religious one.
The brothers reunite at their father's house because of a conflict in the family - the father and the eldest brother want to marry the same woman.
None of the three brothers were raised by their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, who is easily one of the worst fathers in fiction.
The story explores how an uncaring upbringing shapes the three brothers in different ways.
I understand why 'The Karamazov Brothers' is so highly regarded, it's a deeply philosophical work that discusses the existence of God, free will and morality. Dostoevsky exposes the human soul in all its complexity.
As a book it has everything you want in it:
fantastic and memorable characters, drama, politics, murder and humour.
It's a fantastic exploration of the human psyche.
For a 19th century novel, it's infinitely readable, gripping and relevant to this day. Every time I read it, I discover new truths about life.