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frasersimons 's review for:
The Karamazov Brothers
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
While much of it comes together in the end—literally co-opting a trial sequence that stretches the limits of suspension of disbelief—the length of this tomb is not remotely warranted for all that is tied together and feels substantive. It’s an ungainly, uneconomical, highly perspective work of maximalist literature. No doubt, many maximalist works that are much more successful pull from these corners.
The flow was excellent but the actual meat of what was happening was not usually interesting. The last 100 or so pages were, but it made most of it a slog. The characters pontificating for literal walls of texts about various subjects felt forced, and sometimes laughable, given where they actually were. The dialogue itself would have taken the conversation all day, but it’s over coffee for an hour or something. Just far Too much relies on suspension of disbelief, and 75% of the actual murder plot is perfunctory. The best book ever written? I think not. It is fine for what it is, but no where close to the masters of maximalist writing, unfortunately.
3.5 rounded down, for the trudge (through multiple translations), and almost putting me in a reading slump. This emperor has maybe underwear on, but no clothes, otherwise.
The flow was excellent but the actual meat of what was happening was not usually interesting. The last 100 or so pages were, but it made most of it a slog. The characters pontificating for literal walls of texts about various subjects felt forced, and sometimes laughable, given where they actually were. The dialogue itself would have taken the conversation all day, but it’s over coffee for an hour or something. Just far Too much relies on suspension of disbelief, and 75% of the actual murder plot is perfunctory. The best book ever written? I think not. It is fine for what it is, but no where close to the masters of maximalist writing, unfortunately.
3.5 rounded down, for the trudge (through multiple translations), and almost putting me in a reading slump. This emperor has maybe underwear on, but no clothes, otherwise.