The Brothers Karamazov

This is Dostoevsky's greatest work, and one of the greatest novels ever written. I would rate it superior to his CRIME AND PUNISHMENT which is also considered a masterpiece of psychological fiction. It is quite long, but once you get involved it grabs you by the heart and mind, and won't let you go. I am not one to read various translations of a single novel, but I can't imagine a better translation than the Pevear/Volokhonsky one.

The BROTHERS KARAMAZOV is at times humorous and ironic, but it is mostly a wrenching exploration of the human psyche, as symbolically portrayed by 3 siblings, each personifying unique qualities of that psyche. There are many elements to this story..a family saga, a love triangle, a whodunit murder mystery, a courtroom drama..all peopled by unforgettable characters. It says profound things about pure faith and organized religion, selfishness and generosity, love and hate, loyalty and morality, jealousy and forgiveness, justice and compassion. It will make you laugh and cry, and best of all, ponder the important questions that life poses. If read carefully, The BROTHERS KARAMAZOV will alter your thought processes, and you will be a more enlightened individual for having read it. I can go on and on extolling this book, but mere words cannot do it justice. It should be required reading.

There are a few moments in every serious reader's life where you simply have to sit back and accept the overwhelming magnitude and power of a great work of literature. For me, reading the latest translation of Dostoevsky's 'The Brothers Karamozov' proved to be once such occasion. This novel is so wonderful and profound that it almost transcends the expectations of art itself. For this novel is such a combination of forceful elements. It is a story of betrayal, of faith, of love, it is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, a love triangle, a story of loss and redemption, and all at the same time. Reading the Brother's K is like crawling through the crevices of a divinely inspired mind, a mind that had the creative force and faith in his own vision to craft this massive and great work. We are given unforgettable sequences such as the Grand Inquisitor, the prosecution, and the profound and deeply moving conclusion with Alyosha at the funeral. I found that Dostoevsky's characters gave off a a vivid luminosity that I have not experienced in other works of fiction, nor was I prepared to digest the deep and profound contradictions of the characters. This is a supreme achievement, and this translation will probably become the standard translation of what might be the greatest novel ever written.

The Grand Inquisitor chapter is one of the most important passages in literature. Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor's critique of humanity is one of the most insightful and powerful critiques ever written. Eric Fromm revisits these and similar ideas in his Escape from Freedom. This novel is full of insights and shows Dostoevsky not only to be a great novel but also great thinker. Readers of this novel will encounter a multitude of ideas. This novel covers the philosophy of religion, psychology, faith, freedom, nihilism, existentialism, and many, many other topics. This is a novel that I expect to return to many times in the future. Highly recommended!!

A good book is entertaining. A great book makes you think. An incredible book causes you to reflect on life. This book will make you look inside yourself and possibly even cause you to make some changes to your life. I cannot overstate how amazing this book is. Yes, it is dense and not for the casual reader. Yes, there is a 70-page speech near the end. Yes, it is a translation and therefore subject to some clumsiness. But this book is rich beyond any other work of fiction I have ever read. It is a beautiful, gripping expression of Dostoevsky's own spiritual journey (if you don't know much about Dostoevsky, I recommend reading some about his life before beginning this novel; a good starting point is wikipedia.org/wiki/Dostoevsky). This book made me introspective about my role as a member of the human family. Aside from the Bible, no other book has touched and moved me so.

The Brothers Karamazov is considered one of the great literary works for good reason. It's a great literary work. If you read for simple escape, be warned - this book will lock you up and interrogate.