Reviews

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Only show reviews with written explanations

janetthetrigger's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

ethancheyne's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny reflective slow-paced

5.0

amich's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

An amazing read. Even though the most interesting part of the book is closer to the end, Dostoyewski does not bore. The characters are very diverse. But "Crime and Punishment" still remains as my personal favoutite from this author

undeadvvitch's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

caitlinorlaeve's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.5

chrys_marin's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A classic for a reason, although very dense and hard to get through at times, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoyevsky deserves its title as a masterpiece. The narrative, the moral subtleties, as well as the not so subtle political and religious messages, and its complicated characters make "The Brothers Karamazov" a novel that transcends time and nationality. Although some of Dostoyevsky's messages might be lost if the reader does not know the context (19th century Russia), and hence its full richness not completely appreciated, the core messages about good and evil still get through and make it worth the read.

I must admit that although I enjoyed the novel as a whole, reading it was almost torturous at times: the way is written is anything but straightforward. However, I could not avoid falling in love with Alyosha's character, the younger of the brothers and a "hero" of sorts of the story, as well as being intrigued by the murder that drives the plot. Overall, a book that is best enjoyed if read slowly and not in one sitting; it is worth digesting it slowly so it can be fully appreciated.