What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brothers Karamazov
🎧Listening Length = 37 hours and 19 minutes
The Brothers Karamazov, is the final novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky spent nearly two years writing The Brothers Karamazov, which was published as a serial in The Russian Messenger and completed in November 1880. Dostoyevsky intended it to be the first part in an epic story titled The Life of a Great Sinner, but he died less than four months after its publication.
The Brothers Karamazov is a passionate philosophical novel set in 19th century Russia, that enters deeply into the ethical debates of God, free will, and morality. It is a spiritual drama of moral struggles concerning faith, doubt, and reason, set against a modernizing Russia. Dostoyevsky composed much of the novel in Staraya Russa, which inspired the main setting. Since its publication, it has been acclaimed as one of the supreme achievements in literature.
Although written in the 19th century, The Brothers Karamazov displays a number of modern elements. Dostoyevsky composed the book with a variety of literary techniques. Though privy to many of the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, the narrator is a self-proclaimed writer; he discusses his own mannerisms and personal perceptions so often in the novel that he becomes a character. Through his descriptions, the narrator's voice merges imperceptibly into the tone of the people he is describing, often extending into the characters' most personal thoughts. There is no voice of authority in the story (see Mikhail Bakhtin's Problems of Dostoyevsky's Poetics for more on the relationship between Dostoyevsky and his characters). In addition to the principal narrator there are several sections narrated by other characters entirely, such as the story of the Grand Inquisitor and Zosima's confessions. This technique enhances the theme of truth, making many aspects of the tale completely subjective.
Dostoyevsky uses individual styles of speech to express the inner personality of each person. For example, the attorney Fetyukovich (based on Vladimir Spasovich) is characterized by malapropisms (e.g. 'robbed' for 'stolen', and at one point declares possible suspects in the murder 'irresponsible' rather than innocent). Several plot digressions provide insight into other apparently minor characters. For example, the narrative in Book Six is almost entirely devoted to Zosima's biography, which contains a confession from a man whom he met many years before. Dostoyevsky does not rely on a single source or a group of major characters to convey the themes of this book, but uses a variety of viewpoints, narratives and characters throughout.
Major Fyodor Karamazov is the father, a 55-year-old "sponger" and buffoon who sires three sons during his two marriages. He is rumored to have fathered an illegitimate son, Pavel Fyodorovich Smerdyakov, whom he employs as his servant. Fyodor takes no interest in any of his sons, who are, as a result, raised apart from each other and their father. The relationship between Fyodor and his adult sons drives much of the plot in the novel.
Dmitri Fyodorovich Karamazov (a.k.a. Mitya, Mitka, Mitenka, Mitri) is Fyodor Karamazov's eldest son and the only offspring of his first marriage, with Adelaida Ivanovna Miusov. Dmitri is considered to be a sensualist, much like his father, spending large amounts of money on nights filled with champagne, women, and whatever entertainment and stimulation money can buy. Dmitri is brought into contact with his family when he finds himself in need of his inheritance, which he believes is being withheld by his father. He was engaged to be married to Katerina Ivanovna, but breaks that off after falling in love with Grushenka. Dmitri's relationship with his father is the most volatile of the brothers, escalating to violence as he and his father begin fighting over the same woman, Grushenka.
The Brothers Karamazov, is the final novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky spent nearly two years writing The Brothers Karamazov, which was published as a serial in The Russian Messenger and completed in November 1880. Dostoyevsky intended it to be the first part in an epic story titled The Life of a Great Sinner, but he died less than four months after its publication.
The Brothers Karamazov is a passionate philosophical novel set in 19th century Russia, that enters deeply into the ethical debates of God, free will, and morality. It is a spiritual drama of moral struggles concerning faith, doubt, and reason, set against a modernizing Russia. Dostoyevsky composed much of the novel in Staraya Russa, which inspired the main setting. Since its publication, it has been acclaimed as one of the supreme achievements in literature.
Although written in the 19th century, The Brothers Karamazov displays a number of modern elements. Dostoyevsky composed the book with a variety of literary techniques. Though privy to many of the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, the narrator is a self-proclaimed writer; he discusses his own mannerisms and personal perceptions so often in the novel that he becomes a character. Through his descriptions, the narrator's voice merges imperceptibly into the tone of the people he is describing, often extending into the characters' most personal thoughts. There is no voice of authority in the story (see Mikhail Bakhtin's Problems of Dostoyevsky's Poetics for more on the relationship between Dostoyevsky and his characters). In addition to the principal narrator there are several sections narrated by other characters entirely, such as the story of the Grand Inquisitor and Zosima's confessions. This technique enhances the theme of truth, making many aspects of the tale completely subjective.
Dostoyevsky uses individual styles of speech to express the inner personality of each person. For example, the attorney Fetyukovich (based on Vladimir Spasovich) is characterized by malapropisms (e.g. 'robbed' for 'stolen', and at one point declares possible suspects in the murder 'irresponsible' rather than innocent). Several plot digressions provide insight into other apparently minor characters. For example, the narrative in Book Six is almost entirely devoted to Zosima's biography, which contains a confession from a man whom he met many years before. Dostoyevsky does not rely on a single source or a group of major characters to convey the themes of this book, but uses a variety of viewpoints, narratives and characters throughout.
Major Fyodor Karamazov is the father, a 55-year-old "sponger" and buffoon who sires three sons during his two marriages. He is rumored to have fathered an illegitimate son, Pavel Fyodorovich Smerdyakov, whom he employs as his servant. Fyodor takes no interest in any of his sons, who are, as a result, raised apart from each other and their father. The relationship between Fyodor and his adult sons drives much of the plot in the novel.
Dmitri Fyodorovich Karamazov (a.k.a. Mitya, Mitka, Mitenka, Mitri) is Fyodor Karamazov's eldest son and the only offspring of his first marriage, with Adelaida Ivanovna Miusov. Dmitri is considered to be a sensualist, much like his father, spending large amounts of money on nights filled with champagne, women, and whatever entertainment and stimulation money can buy. Dmitri is brought into contact with his family when he finds himself in need of his inheritance, which he believes is being withheld by his father. He was engaged to be married to Katerina Ivanovna, but breaks that off after falling in love with Grushenka. Dmitri's relationship with his father is the most volatile of the brothers, escalating to violence as he and his father begin fighting over the same woman, Grushenka.
Audible Audio
Published June 22, 2023
71 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
1,270 books573 followersAlternate spelling, see main profile
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 6, 2025
Masterpiece!
January 12, 2026
Week 1 read of the year and very well might be the best !
January 23, 2026
ok it's 4:07 am I just finished the book, and I wanna scream out loud (but I can't), I feel like so many emotions right now.
I started to read this book in October 2025, at the beginning I wasn't so sure or exited about it, but after a couple pages and a little crazy Karamazov drama I was hooked to this beautiful masterpiece (that I dare to say I love more than crime and punishment) for some reason this book became home for me, like a safe place, I felt understood while reading it and I couldn't help but live this book, it's dearer to me now.
I couldn't help but understand these 3 brothers, each with its character, each with its human complexity, each with something to say, to teach, to preach, to prove, etc... there were some chapters, some books really hard for me like in Pro and Contra with "the Grand inquisitor" I had a weird sensation while reading that part, idk if it's because I was raised in a Catholic family or because I'm Christian (tbh idk, I truly don't know don't ask me) but it was a experience, and a great one.
after that time when Alyosha meets with Katya and Grushenka for the first time, and after the "Russian monk" I was already obsessed with the book and as I said before I felt at home while reading it, um I felt some kind of peace, like I belonged or I was understood.
I sat religiously almost every day to read it, and when I was busy I was yearning to read it. Dostoevsky knew the human soul and the human dilemmas like nobody else, he literally describes everything (and it's not the first time) everything a human can passes through suffering, guilt, pain, madness, family dynamics, love and passion, conflicts with the faith, impulsiveness, nervous breakdowns (I mean more deep than nervous break downs but I don't have the words right now), misery, etc.
I never thought I wasn't going to understand Dimitri, hahahah it's just it didn't seem right to me till the end I thought he was mad.....
Alyosha omg so sweet since the beginning I was in love with how Alyosha's temper was.
And Ivan I wanna say more about Ivan, he's not a bad lad, I mean he wasn't he was just a hurt child, hurt by the suffering of others and traumatized by the same.
and ofc I'm not forgetting smerdyakov (I hate smerdyakov, yes I know way to predictable) and about Fyodor pavlovitch man I hate him to I loathe him, I despise him (oh no this is getting way too personal, fuck no) and I wanna say more but.... I need to process, I'm dying cause what it's gonna fullfil me now? after such a beautiful masterpiece, what book can be better? I mean it's gonna be hard to find a book that defeats this one!!
but I have so many thoughts about the book, I will write them too, I'll probably answer to this review so I can articulate my opinion better (so yeah, I'm not forgetting about Katya, smerdyakov, crazy madame holakov, father zossima, father ferapont, father paissy, rakitin, the demon that talked to Ivan....) I just need to process
meanwhile I leave here my fav quotes:
"above all don't lie to yourself. the man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a past that he cannot distinguish the truth within him,or around him,and so loses all respect for him and for others"
"fear nothing and never be afraid; don't fret"
"what is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love."
"in thousands of agonies I exist"
pd: I loved fetyukovitch speech ✋🏻🤓 sorry
To be continued...
I started to read this book in October 2025, at the beginning I wasn't so sure or exited about it, but after a couple pages and a little crazy Karamazov drama I was hooked to this beautiful masterpiece (that I dare to say I love more than crime and punishment) for some reason this book became home for me, like a safe place, I felt understood while reading it and I couldn't help but live this book, it's dearer to me now.
I couldn't help but understand these 3 brothers, each with its character, each with its human complexity, each with something to say, to teach, to preach, to prove, etc... there were some chapters, some books really hard for me like in Pro and Contra with "the Grand inquisitor" I had a weird sensation while reading that part, idk if it's because I was raised in a Catholic family or because I'm Christian (tbh idk, I truly don't know don't ask me) but it was a experience, and a great one.
after that time when Alyosha meets with Katya and Grushenka for the first time, and after the "Russian monk" I was already obsessed with the book and as I said before I felt at home while reading it, um I felt some kind of peace, like I belonged or I was understood.
I sat religiously almost every day to read it, and when I was busy I was yearning to read it. Dostoevsky knew the human soul and the human dilemmas like nobody else, he literally describes everything (and it's not the first time) everything a human can passes through suffering, guilt, pain, madness, family dynamics, love and passion, conflicts with the faith, impulsiveness, nervous breakdowns (I mean more deep than nervous break downs but I don't have the words right now), misery, etc.
I never thought I wasn't going to understand Dimitri, hahahah it's just it didn't seem right to me till the end I thought he was mad.....
Alyosha omg so sweet since the beginning I was in love with how Alyosha's temper was.
And Ivan I wanna say more about Ivan, he's not a bad lad, I mean he wasn't he was just a hurt child, hurt by the suffering of others and traumatized by the same.
and ofc I'm not forgetting smerdyakov (I hate smerdyakov, yes I know way to predictable) and about Fyodor pavlovitch man I hate him to I loathe him, I despise him (oh no this is getting way too personal, fuck no) and I wanna say more but.... I need to process, I'm dying cause what it's gonna fullfil me now? after such a beautiful masterpiece, what book can be better? I mean it's gonna be hard to find a book that defeats this one!!
but I have so many thoughts about the book, I will write them too, I'll probably answer to this review so I can articulate my opinion better (so yeah, I'm not forgetting about Katya, smerdyakov, crazy madame holakov, father zossima, father ferapont, father paissy, rakitin, the demon that talked to Ivan....) I just need to process
meanwhile I leave here my fav quotes:
"above all don't lie to yourself. the man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a past that he cannot distinguish the truth within him,or around him,and so loses all respect for him and for others"
"fear nothing and never be afraid; don't fret"
"what is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love."
"in thousands of agonies I exist"
pd: I loved fetyukovitch speech ✋🏻🤓 sorry
To be continued...
April 18, 2025
Takes commitment to get through - and it’s definitely more of a character study / philosophical treatise than plot heavy book - but I enjoyed it quite a bit.
August 3, 2025
A must read!
November 11, 2025
It definitely takes commitment to get through this very long-winded book. There's a lot of rants and raves and dramatics but there are nuggets of beauty that are worth the read.
January 11, 2026
Such a complex, beautiful story was made. I have so wonderful & what a fantastic experience to read such a masterpiece book. Still recovering from everything & maybe I will never recover.
January 19, 2026
Finished reading this at 17 but I will be thinking about this book everyday for the rest of my life.
February 11, 2026
*internally screaming*
yeah, this one is gonna stick with me
5/5, but actually a 5/5
yeah, this one is gonna stick with me
5/5, but actually a 5/5
June 29, 2024
everyone needs to read this masterpiece
This should be required reading for everyone. It’s a masterpiece and so beautifully paced. The themes are richer than any book you will find today. I will be reading this again and again through my life.
This should be required reading for everyone. It’s a masterpiece and so beautifully paced. The themes are richer than any book you will find today. I will be reading this again and again through my life.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews