A review by aoyenhi
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“But now, for one brief moment, let’s pretend what might’ve been.”

Dostoevsky’s best, easily. Part 4 and the epilogue had me in tears. 

There are so many wonderful moments that I don’t think I’ll ever experience anywhere else. Some of my favorites:

  • - Zosima, bowing suddenly before Dmitri,
  • - Ivan’s speech to Alyosha, and obviously the Grand Inquisitor,
  • - Alyosha kissing Ivan right after, 
  • - “But to us, sir, you are like a small child…”
  • - The dehumanizing interrogation sequence—“I’m the wolf, and you’re the hunters, let the chase commence.”
  • - A lovely scene with a puppy (it was so magical that I don’t want to share more),
  • - Ivan’s nightmares,
  • - Dr. Herzenstrube’s testimony,
  • - Dmitri in the epilogue.

It is unfortunate that this book is weighed down by so much anti-semitism, christofascist sympathies, Russian nationalism, all with a little bit of thinly veiled misogyny... if it wasn’t for these themes (which comes up during part 4 more than any other part IMO), I would have it in me to agree that this is one of the best novels ever written.

I’d also say your enjoyment of this novel hinges on whether or not you consider Dmitri to be a sympathetic character. If you’re 200 pages in and you hate him, consider shelving it… I definitely sympathized with and even liked him, but he can be a lot. I can easily see why people might hate him, but I don’t know how enjoyable the book would be if you can’t stand the guy.


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