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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One of the greatest books ever written. A potentially life changing read.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
It takes forever (read: 300 pages) to get started and set the scene, but doesn't slow down from that point onwards. The Grand Inquisitor makes an appearance, and with that it's as if Dostoevsky decided to not hold back anymore: in the words of one of the characters, "everything is allowed".
Among all the drama and a fair dose of tragedy, however, the book shines with its humanity and hope that there is some good left even in people who have done bad things; it is this that makes the ginormous novel not break under its own weight.
Highlights: Zosima's life story, Ivan's dialogue with the devil, the side story around the poor boy Ilyusha, anytime Alyosha makes an appearance, and of course The Grand Inquisitor passage.
There is a lot that (to a modern reader outside of Russia, at least) verges on ridiculous. The lengthy excited monologues that some characters go on could be stretching the reality, but of course therein lies the charm: in saying things that actual people do feel but would never say or could never express, they become larger than life. It is easy to see why "to be a Karamazov" by itself has become a trope, one that encodes polar opposites, strong feelings, an inner struggle.
In some ways, the book could be immortal, but in other ways, it is very clearly a product of its times. It's a shame that Dostoevsky appears to have come to the conclusion that religious belief is necessary to do good. Today, Ivan's struggle seems avoidable.
Further, on the inevitable topic of female characters: down to one, they are all described as hysterical, going into fits of tears or laughter on the slightest provocation, and utterly random in their decisions or affections. While the men are also afforded a share of strong, sometimes unrealistic-seeming emotion, it is usually not gender-coded as it is in the women's case (never failing to explicitly use the word "hysterical"); this makes the female characters seem like marionettes controlled by some demonic force rather than real people with real motivations, which is a shame.
Among all the drama and a fair dose of tragedy, however, the book shines with its humanity and hope that there is some good left even in people who have done bad things; it is this that makes the ginormous novel not break under its own weight.
Highlights: Zosima's life story, Ivan's dialogue with the devil, the side story around the poor boy Ilyusha, anytime Alyosha makes an appearance, and of course The Grand Inquisitor passage.
There is a lot that (to a modern reader outside of Russia, at least) verges on ridiculous. The lengthy excited monologues that some characters go on could be stretching the reality, but of course therein lies the charm: in saying things that actual people do feel but would never say or could never express, they become larger than life. It is easy to see why "to be a Karamazov" by itself has become a trope, one that encodes polar opposites, strong feelings, an inner struggle.
In some ways, the book could be immortal, but in other ways, it is very clearly a product of its times. It's a shame that Dostoevsky appears to have come to the conclusion that religious belief is necessary to do good. Today, Ivan's struggle seems avoidable.
Further, on the inevitable topic of female characters: down to one, they are all described as hysterical, going into fits of tears or laughter on the slightest provocation, and utterly random in their decisions or affections. While the men are also afforded a share of strong, sometimes unrealistic-seeming emotion, it is usually not gender-coded as it is in the women's case (never failing to explicitly use the word "hysterical"); this makes the female characters seem like marionettes controlled by some demonic force rather than real people with real motivations, which is a shame.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Let me first say I read this book on a dare. I am part of a book group through my church, typically we read things on contemplative practices and so forth. when the group first started we used a text book to guide us through our meetings. I COMPLETELY HATED THIS TEXTBOOK! At the end of every chapter there were inane exercises to be done before eh next reading. About 3/4 through this book one of the excercises literally said, read a book for next weeks session by one of the great Russian writers, examples were given including Dostoyevsky's "Brothers". I rolled with laughter and a friend in the group challenged me to do this. I actually got a good run on it almost finishing it before the next meeting two weeks hence.
I found merit, but truly the characters are so romanticized that I couldn't make a connection to any of them or their perils. I imagine there are great lessons herein, but I can recite a one. I really am not a poor reader and do try to give the classics a college try - but I read this only on a bet and finished it only because of that.
Regardless, it is wonderfully written and is always highly rated as one of the 100 books to read - I just for the life of me don't get that,lol. I am adding it to my list just to get credit for my tenacity in finishing it!
I found merit, but truly the characters are so romanticized that I couldn't make a connection to any of them or their perils. I imagine there are great lessons herein, but I can recite a one. I really am not a poor reader and do try to give the classics a college try - but I read this only on a bet and finished it only because of that.
Regardless, it is wonderfully written and is always highly rated as one of the 100 books to read - I just for the life of me don't get that,lol. I am adding it to my list just to get credit for my tenacity in finishing it!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Minus .25 stars only because I did not feel that the speeches at the end needed to take up 100+ pages. Aside from that a flawless novel and his best work.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes