Reviews

This one is a chunkster and is so all-encompassing that there is no way I can do it justice. In short, it’s about three brothers and their tyrant father, a love triangle, and a lot of philosophizing. I loved it and am pretty sure that I could read it ten more times and never really grasp every single concept in the book but I enjoyed it, anyway. It’s one of those books that you’ll either read or not read and my review won’t make a difference, but if you’re thinking about reading it then it’s time to bump it up your list.

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verpissdich's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Translator's prose neither too dense not too colloquial.

The Grand Inquisitor section (Ivan's Peom) is very thought provoking.

Spoiler

Alyosha's character development after the death of father Zossima, or perhaps significant lack thereof, also thought provoking.

Spoiler

I found the recounting of Father Zossima's life through the narrator and Alyosha's recollection highly tedious, but nonetheless illuminating, especially in its parallels to Dmitri's transformation after his arrest. I also found it slightly difficult to get through Dmitri's interrogation while at the inn, and his presumed guilt is infuriating to read through although this is clearly intentional.

In general, an enjoyable examination of human nature.

Content Warnings

sofcalvo's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

laviaenrose's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

minkkmuse's review against another edition

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challenging dark inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

love love love this book. dostoyevsky is an absolute master of the literary form: even in an english translation, his style is so palpable, so compelling. such a complex examination of morality, purpose, and meaning. beautifully overwhelming and complex, a heartbreaking story of the intricacies of the human soul.

Content Warnings

vssavm's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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