The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Book Reviews of The Brothers Karamazov
Book Review: Dostoevsky's final major work...a masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
A truly wonderful piece of fiction.
Dostoevsky's (1821-1881) classic work was written towards the end of his life (between 1879-1880). It is a tale of a dysfunctional Russian middle class family; the story follows significant events in the lives of the father (Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov) and his three sons (Dmitri, Ivan and Alexei).
Although the first half of the story is slow to develop it is well written and easy to follow (maybe this is a trait of this era of Russian writers, I found Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina' had the same qualities.) The latter half of the book was, in my opinion, much more dynamic and interesting to read.
The translation of the work, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, from Russian to English, is well done; subjectively, to me, it seemed to captivate many of the subtleties and nuances that I can only assume Dostoevsky wished to bring forth in his novel.
However be forewarned, reading this novel is a true labor of love and a definitive exercise in perseverance. The book is 779 pages long and 'dense' with regards to the number of words per page. Some paragraphs go on for pages; some sentences can be difficult to follow because they are exceedingly long and punctuated with many commas. Also, Dostoevsky at times, uses his novel to expound (often, at some length) upon a few of his philosophical theories regarding such opposing forces as life/death, good/evil, and the existence (or not) of God.
Conclusion:
Many consider this one of the finest books ever written, and it may be so; this is obviously a very subjective opinion. I really enjoyed the book, especially the second half (beginning with Dmitri's tale). However, if your not an avid fan of Russian literature or if your simply reading it for pleasure then this book requires a degree of dedication to finish. But make no mistake about it, the quality is there, and if the story tweaks your fancy you'll be well rewarded by reading Dostoevsky's final masterpiece.
R.Nicholson
Book Review: Can't see how this improves on Garnett
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't speak Russian, nor do I have access to the original Russian text. My only point of comparison is the Constance Garnett translation we all grew up with. I purchased this version based on the glowing recommendations that it rendered Garnett obsolete, that without being aware of it, I was actually reading "Garnett" rather than "Dostoyevsky."
All translators must find a balance between literal meaning and clear expression, when these conflict with each other. I can only assume that the differences between Pevear/Volokhonsky and Garnett are due to choosing the literal meaning of certain words and phrases. Where these clash with my vivid memory of Garnett's translation, even after many years, I cannot help but wonder where the improvement lies.
Captain Snegiryov, referred to as the "wisp of tow" in Garnett, is a "whiskbroom" here. This corrects an archaism at the expense of poetry. The chapter "Strains," probably the actual title in Russian, was "Lacerations" in Garnett, a much more vivid image. Father Ferapont discusses, in Garnett, the difference between the "Holy Spirit" and the "Holy Ghost," terms familiar to all English speakers; here, "Holy Ghost" is rendered "Holispirit." What on earth is a "Holispirit?" I can only guess that in the original, the two terms were spelled nearly identically, occasioning this rendition. Finally, in Garnett's version of the meeting with Father Zossima, Fyodor Karamazov's quotation of "Blessed be the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck" is phrased slightly differently here, without the same impact.
The power and brilliance of the original work is still apparent; these are only minor issues. Nevertheless, they are annoying and detract in some small way from the entire experience of the novel. On the positive side, Dostoyevsky's references to issues of the day, which the modern reader would not be familiar with, are explained in the copious footnotes.
Book Review: Great Novel, Overrated Translation. Read MacAndrew Instead.
Summary: 3 Stars
The novel itself is brilliant -- one of the best. To praise the novel would be redundant and pointless. I want to talk about the translation.
The Pevear translation has garnered a lot of attention and praise. I don't know Russian, so I can't speak to the original. It may be that Pevear translation an accurate representation of Dostoevsky's prose. What I can say is that, as a novel, this version of Brothers Karamazov is dense, leaden and awkward.
Many previous reviewers have suggested reading the Garnett translation instead. Anyone who loves Russian literature owes Garnett a debt: she was the first to translate just about any Russian writer you can think of (pre 1950) into English: Tolstoy, Turgenev, Chekhov, Gogol, Dostoevksy, etc. Critics have complained -- most famously Vladimir Nabokov -- that Garnett was prone to skipping words and using summary liberally. There are revisions that correct this (see the Norton Critical Edition, revised by Ralph E. Matlaw) but there is another problem: Garnett tends to render Russian novelists in a Victorian voice that reads like a heavy-handed imitation of Dickens.
Fortunately, there is a third option: Andrew MacAndrew's translation from 1970. The tone of the MacAndrew is lively and earthy -- and the voices of the different brothers are distinct. Perhaps most importantly MacAndrew's rendition of the narrator's voice captures a great deal of the humor and wit that is lost in other translations. Dostoevsky often employs an un-named narrator, a sort of surrogate self, that allows him the flexibility of a 3rd person perspective but also intimacy of a first-person voice. MacAndrew makes great use of this.
But judge for yourself. Here is a web site that compares the three translations in questions by showing the same paragraph in the original and then in each translation: [...]
There are a few typos but it gives you a sense of the different translations
Book Review: Could be no less than five stars.
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot compare this translation to the others. Like most mortals, I rarely read 800 page books more than once. However, I can attest that The Brothers Karamazov, as translated here, combines the moving human drama we expect from Dostoevsky with liberal dose of wry humor. The text seems modern and fresh, the circumstances and petty humor surrounding the characters so central to the human predicament that the story is timeless.And what a story: It is (among many things) a satire of human corruption, a meditation on faith and religious institutions in an age of skepticism, a murder mystery involving love triangles, a courtroom thriller and in the end a testament to the goodness and bravery humans are capable of.
The story follows the lives of old man Karamazov, a filthy penny-pinching lech and his three sons. Each son represents a different side to the Russian character: Dimitri the spoiled lout (or the prodigal son), Ivan the tortured intellect, and Alyosha the spiritual searcher.
Alyosha, Dostoevsy says, is our hero. And he does represent a certain Christian ideal. He, in the end, stands for brotherhood and meekness in the face of temptation. These qualities, no doubt, are what Dostoevsky suggests will preserve and redeem the Russian nation. All around Alyosha is the carnage caused by people who are not awake to this truth -- and they wallow in suffering.
This book, the last Dostoevsky wrote, also presents an intricate political/religious landscape. We see Russia on the brink of socialist forment, and the church is not spared in the skepitism of characters like Ivan, who, in the 'Grand Inquisitor' chapter, presents the most spine tingling critique of organized religion I've ever read.
But, after 800 pages Brothers Karamazov is a book that burns so brightly and is so capable of moving a reader that the book's cost will seem paltry and the reader who comes through will find his or her knowledge of the human soul expanded. A+.
Book Review: Ackward translation
Summary: 2 Stars
I read this moving story while in the service many, many years ago and quickly became a fan of Dostoevsky. What is there to say about the tale that could lead to exaggeration? It taps inner man - his foibles and strengths, and it says much about the lack of choice afforded us when born into the world so far as place, parentage, and care are concerned. If you're looking for insight into what it is to be a human being, start here - but not with this translation.
With the exigencies of life as they are aside my ever failing attempts to stay current in my reading, I had neglected this old favorite. However, when I saw and became enmeshed in the hullabaloo about this Pevear translation, I thought I would revisit an old friend and perhaps enjoy an enhancement of the experience. But disappointment followed - I found myself wondering if the years had taken away my old ability to immerse myself in such a penetrating story as I found myself confused and annoyed by sentences and scenes that failed to create a clear image.
Last week I obtained a new "Modern Library" Constance Garnett translation, and the old magic was reassuringly there again. Flowing sentences that bring the story to life replaced the Pevear sacrifice of beauty and clarity for faithfulness to the Russian at any cost.
If your interest in reading the novel is directed at how English technically juxtaposes with Russian, perhaps this Pevear translation will suit you and best achieve your ends. If, however, you are interested in experiencing a profound story that teaches much about the human condition, is attentive to the poetic quality of the original, and stylistically does justice to the author's greatness, purchase the Constance Garnett version, sit back, and be captivated by a poignantly enlightened translation.