The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Book Reviews of The Brothers Karamazov
Book Review: The translation isn't perfect, but it's still Dostoevsky at his finest!
Summary: 5 Stars
There is absolutely no way to summarize the key concepts and themes in this novel, so I wont even try. (I wish other reviewers would do the same...) That said this novel is definitely worth reading. I originally read the old Constance Garnett translation by Signet Classic and bought this new translation to re-read the book. (Your going to re-read this novel) I actually prefer the old translation. There's a certain lyrical flow that's missed when you try to translate the exact 'word-for-word' phrases instead of looking at the over-all meaning. For example:
There's an aphorism in Part III which in the Garnett translation is written as:
"Any man of sense will always come back to reason in time, but, if love does not gain the upper hand in a youth's heart at such an exeptional moment, when will it?
Where-as in this translation it goes:
"I am glad that at such a moment my young man turned out to be not so reasonable; the time will come for an intelligent man to be reasonable, but if at such an exceptional moment there is no love to be found in a young man's heart, then when will it come?
Its obviously much more rigid and forced. There are other instances too. Like when Fyodor Pavlovich adds to the 3,000 rouble note he offers to Grushenka, "To my little chicken." Its much more comic then the new versions, My chicky. Or something to that matter. These ofcoarse are mere trifles, but it's the detail that Dostoevsky always focused on. Details are what make or break a novel. I'm still waiting for a perfect tranlation of The Brothers. Maybe I should learn Russian? Until then, this will have to do!
Book Review: Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a tome in every sense of the word, and the reader will be rewarded for digesting it slowly, allowing themselves to fully grasp the breadth of Dostoevsky's ideas while simultaneously taking the time to savor each and every carefully crafted sentence. Reading it in this way is a pleasure - there were moments in the book when I was in audible hysterics, so frenzied and passionate is the dialogue between these lunatic Karamazovs. The frenetic and highly entertaining exchanges are interrupted only by some truly remarkable expositions on philosophy, God and religion - sections that one will most probably end up book marking and rereading anyway.
In contrast to Crime and Punishment (which had me so confused that I needed to keep a running names list with me), The Brothers Karamazov is far simpler to follow. Dostoevsky tells you the character's name and sticks to it throughout the novel. In those instances where a nickname (Grushenka) is seemingly incongruous with the full name (Agrafena Alexandrovna Svetlov), he thankfully explains that Agrafena is, in fact, Grushenka, and deigns not to leave us scratching our head, a' la Crime and Punishment. The issue with names is, in my opinion, one of the major roadblocks for American readers, what with umpteen first names, last names and patronymics all referring to the same person.
Rarely will you find a book that intertwines murder, comedy and profound ideology in such a fascinating, thoroughly engrossing manner. Stick with this book to its completion and you will turn the last page, heave a great sigh and say "wow."
Book Review: An entire world between two covers...a good world, a great world!
Summary: 5 Stars
In case you don't know, "The Brothers Karamazov" is the story of three brothers and their cruel, worthless father. One of the brother's is a monk, trying to overcome his passions. Another is a nihilist intellectual, and another is a wild partier. One represents the spirit, one represents the mind, and one represents the flesh.
The brothers' father is a lascivious drunk with no morals, and all of the brothers have at least a decent reason or two to kill him, or to allow him to be killed. When the father is mysteriously murdered one night, all the brothers--especially one--are suspected to be guilty of the man's murder in one way or another, and the story explodes from there.
Dostoyevsky was one of the greatest writers to have ever lived, and his treatment of these characters--and of the story's lesser characters--makes them all seem like real people you would like to meet. The story abounds with beautiful insights, great writing, precise psychological profiles, and an ending almost guaranteed to leave you in a spiritual and physical euphoria.
The book is not as streamlined as "Crime and Punishment," there are some loose threads that Dostoyevsky would probably have tied up if he'd lived to write the second volume he'd planned, and occasionally Dostoyevsky's racism against Polish and Jewish people sneaks through, but the better qualities of this book eclipse its faults. The book is incredibly readable, fun, deep, often funny, and interesting--and it gets better with every read.
Sometimes I think it's my very favorite book. Other times I KNOW it is.
Book Review: Speaks uniquely to each reader
Summary: 5 Stars
For starters, nothing can be said that would truly do this sublime work of fiction any true justice. That being said, The Brothers Karamazov engenders a veritable cornucopia of raw emotions and thoughts unequaled in the world of literature. Dostoevsky brings into question faith, justice, sin, redemption, depravity, suffering, & justice via an extraordinary confluence of pure, unbridled genius. Unlike many other acclaimed classics, The Brothers Karamazov precipitates perpetual trenchant introspection and leaves you pondering the complex dynamics of the novel well upon completion. Entering the book and have previously read Crime & Punishment and Notes From the Underground, I knew I would be in for an intense and provocative voyage into profundity - the likes of which are unique to the penmanship of Dostoevsky. I also thought it might possibly be a bit dull and centered solely upon the brothers and their infamous tale of parricide. Needless to say, I could not have been more erroneous in my judgment. Case in point, I found the insidiously deceptive bastard son Smerdyakov to be without question the most intriguing and underestimated of all of the characters.
This morosely despairing, yet strangely effervescent tale of deceit, love, murder, and mayhem will truly be one of the best works of fiction that you will be fortunate to have read in your lifetime. Just be prepared to delve into it with your full undivided attention. Alas, this, my friends, is no beach read.
"Where there is no God, all is permitted." - Dostoevsky
Book Review: Russians Are WACKED
Summary: 5 Stars
This doesn't have the demonically possessed intensity of Crime and Punishment but still impressive. My favorite part was the Illyusha subplot. I actually shed some tears over this! (But I'm still all man).
But WOW! I just finished this book today and I'm EXHAUSTED. I feel like I took an 800 page tour through a mental hospital. Everyone is completely crazy--except Alyosha. Especially the womenfolk. Grushenka can't decide if she wants to be a gold digger--but in the meantime why not shack up with a dirty, mean old merchant?--or the caretaker of misunderstood bad boys with no money--unless the old man is offed.
And then we have Katerina Ivanova. Wow. If Grushenka is a dominatrix, Katya would want you to spank her. Hard. Everything she does--and none of it makes sense--she explains by saying, "I wanted to hurt myself". She and Ivan are the perfect match--both are in love with misery. If they got married, I'm sure they played a lot of Nine Inch Nails at their wedding. Oh, and Madame Kholakhov? And Lise---who enjoys cutting herself for kicks on a Saturday night? And "The Shrieker"? I need a drink.
Then there is our favorite spoiled frat boy, Mitya. We've all met guys like him before. I'm always seeing people and thinking, "That guy is just begging to get framed for murder by his scheming bastard brother / lackey who will then commit suicide and erase any evidence that could help him".
I wonder if Mitya ever made to America. I think he would have fit right in here.