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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just finished re-reading The Brothers Karamazov. This is a book that probably has to be read at least two times for a full understanding of its themes and meaning. I got a lot more out of it this time around and I was fortunate that I got to read it with the Catching up on Classics group here on Goodreads. The discussions and comments in the group have really been great, and helped in my understanding of the book.
I've read all of Dostoevsky's major works and I'd say this is the most worldly of all of them. Crime and Punishment, and the Idiot are focused on the individual and Dostoevsky dives deep into his protagonist's souls in both of those books. To me, Brothers Karamazov is much more expansive in scope than C&P and the Idiot.
In The BK, we get to ponder deep theological questions like about the existence of God, and good vs. evil. Dostoevsky provides compelling arguments for both sides of the theological argument in the context of a father's, Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov's, relationship with his three sons, Dmitri, Ivan, and Alexey. Fyodor Pavlovitch is the definition of a sensualist which means his focus in life is pleasure and seeking pleasure, and he doesn't show any care for his sons. His oldest son, Dmitri, is driven by passion, and he knows right from wrong but he is manic and pushes the limit in his endeavors and causes a major strain and disruption for his family and many people of his town in his jealous fight with his father over a woman named Grushenka. The second son, Ivan, is an atheist and he struggled mightily with right and wrong and how it affects people in his life. His main statement is "if God does not exist, then everything is allowed". Ivan's struggle with his theology and the beginning of a reconciliation of peace within his soul by the end of the novel, I believe are the heart of what this novel about. The third son, Alexey, starts out as a monk in a monastery, deeply faithful and religious, and his realization, while not as dramatic as Ivan's, is just as compelling. By the end, Alexey finds a theology that he can work with.
The overarching story is a murder of Fyodor Pavlovitch, and trying to figure out who committed the murder. The familial relationship of fathers and sons is studied in this novel along with what makes a "father" more than just a father into a "dad".
Theology, psychology, father/son relationship, and a pinch of hope thrown in at the end make this a very worthwhile read. If you are new to Dostoevsky, I still recommend Crime and Punishment as a jumping off point, also don't miss The Idiot, and then The Brothers Karamazov after you have a feel for his writing and story telling style. Dostoevsky is one of my favorite authors for how he can show his readers all angles of his characters and he makes all of them very rounded and very real.
I've read all of Dostoevsky's major works and I'd say this is the most worldly of all of them. Crime and Punishment, and the Idiot are focused on the individual and Dostoevsky dives deep into his protagonist's souls in both of those books. To me, Brothers Karamazov is much more expansive in scope than C&P and the Idiot.
In The BK, we get to ponder deep theological questions like about the existence of God, and good vs. evil. Dostoevsky provides compelling arguments for both sides of the theological argument in the context of a father's, Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov's, relationship with his three sons, Dmitri, Ivan, and Alexey. Fyodor Pavlovitch is the definition of a sensualist which means his focus in life is pleasure and seeking pleasure, and he doesn't show any care for his sons. His oldest son, Dmitri, is driven by passion, and he knows right from wrong but he is manic and pushes the limit in his endeavors and causes a major strain and disruption for his family and many people of his town in his jealous fight with his father over a woman named Grushenka. The second son, Ivan, is an atheist and he struggled mightily with right and wrong and how it affects people in his life. His main statement is "if God does not exist, then everything is allowed". Ivan's struggle with his theology and the beginning of a reconciliation of peace within his soul by the end of the novel, I believe are the heart of what this novel about. The third son, Alexey, starts out as a monk in a monastery, deeply faithful and religious, and his realization, while not as dramatic as Ivan's, is just as compelling. By the end, Alexey finds a theology that he can work with.
The overarching story is a murder of Fyodor Pavlovitch, and trying to figure out who committed the murder. The familial relationship of fathers and sons is studied in this novel along with what makes a "father" more than just a father into a "dad".
Theology, psychology, father/son relationship, and a pinch of hope thrown in at the end make this a very worthwhile read. If you are new to Dostoevsky, I still recommend Crime and Punishment as a jumping off point, also don't miss The Idiot, and then The Brothers Karamazov after you have a feel for his writing and story telling style. Dostoevsky is one of my favorite authors for how he can show his readers all angles of his characters and he makes all of them very rounded and very real.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Its the best book of dostovesky cause it captures theme of the other book
This was a very long hard read. However, it captures life and characters with powerful ideas and backgrounds, and was totally worth it
The first half of this story is pretty slow pace and hard to pay attention, but the real plot starts halfway with Dimitri and it really improves. A lot of random characters that don’t contribute to the plot and just make it tedious, but several great characters that feel real.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More than a few people have said that this book changed their life.
I guess I'm just not that deep.
While I can understand that Dostoyevsky challenges the way many of us view free will, and can appreciate the argument that a good mans actions can lead to another mans crime, I was not compelled to self realization the way I was assured I would be.
I should mention that I went into this book with skepticism as I was also assured I would love crime and punishment and did not enjoy that book either.
I guess I'm just not that deep.
While I can understand that Dostoyevsky challenges the way many of us view free will, and can appreciate the argument that a good mans actions can lead to another mans crime, I was not compelled to self realization the way I was assured I would be.
I should mention that I went into this book with skepticism as I was also assured I would love crime and punishment and did not enjoy that book either.