The Brothers Karamazov

by Gemma Barder

Dimitri is angry and reckless. Ivan is smart and logical. Alyosha is caring and forgiving. And their half-brother Smerdyakov is treated no better than a servant by their father. When Dimitri falls in love with a woman who isn’t his fiancée and sets out to get the money his father is keeping from him, tensions within the family run higher than ever.

Can Alyosha bring the Karamazov family together before disaster strikes?

Genres: Classics

120 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2021

About the author

Gemma Barder is an author of a variety of children's books and specialises in activity books and middle grade chapter books. She has written about everything from dinosaurs to Jane Austen - and all that comes in between! She lives in the midlands with her family and a mischievous cocker spaniel.

Reviews

[Shaimaa شيماء]

قصة الأخوة كارامازوف الشهيرة مبسطة للأطفال.
مكتوب عليها لسن من ٧ ل١١..
معرفش الحقيقة ليه ممكن الأطفال يقراوا حاجة زي كده، مفيش فيها اي قيمة أخلاقية تناسب السن ده!!!

[Kezia]

Curious, (curious agian if you've read my Anna JKarenina review), I skimmed the end to see how they did it.

This story did not spoil the emotional punch the og ending has, but... they literaly made stuff up. (assuming there isn't a letter etc that gave more info). Honestly, I'm not sure making any of the "Russian classics" "kid friendly" was humanly possible (unless cute little picture books can count), but I kinda feel sorry for anyone who reads this ending and then goes on the read the full thing and realizes that actaully, there isn't really much "closure" in the end. This was meant to be part one of a larger work, and yes, the end is great, but no, is doesn't say who marries who, and I persoanlly still have hope for some certain characteures to forgive eachother.

ANYWAY from what I saw, she did a pretty good job a simplifying the story and toning some of the filth down, but it's the Brothers Karamazov.

[Leenah Taher]

This an amazing way to be introduced to classics in an easy and interesting way. I've watched a movie about the story before, but reading always feels like an otherworldly experience. An epic drama and characters that you would love and hate all through the story (except for Fyodor).

[Mohammad]

There is a big alteration from the real book

There is a big alteration from the real book. However, it's not bad overall to take a look at if u feel lost a bit especially if u are reading Dostoevsky's book over a long period it can be a good quick recap.

[LAURENTIU MIHAIL]

O recomand pentru cei de 9 sau 10 ani!!!

[Shelly D]

4.0 Stars

A classic novel that has been re-told in short story form for middle grade kids. Involves the murder of an emotionally abusive father, love triangles, complicated brotherly relationships, and plot twist of course. Also has QR code linking to audiobook which is a real bonus. Has some good cartoonish illustrations throughout, and is a quick and enjoyable read. I thought I would read this little book first to get a feel for the story before I tackled the big adult novel sitting on my shelf :)