Dostoyevsky: The Brothers Karamazov

by William J. Leatherbarrow

The Brothers Karamazov, completed in November 1880 just two months before Dostoyevsky's death, displays both his mastery as a storyteller and his significance as a thinker. In this volume, Dr. Leatherbarrow shows that far from being merely a philosophical religious tract, The Brothers Karamazov is an enjoyable and accessible novel. He discusses its major themes, including atheism and belief, the nature of man, socialism and individualism, and the state of European civilization, focusing particulary on those themes of justice, order and disorder, in whose revolutionary treatment he sees the real significance of this literary landmark.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Literature, Russia, Novels, Russian Literature

132 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 1992

About the author

W. J. Leatherbarrow is a British literary scholar and professor of Russian at the University of Sheffield, known for his extensive work on Dostoevsky, including The Cambridge Companion to Dostoevskii and co-authoring A Documentary History of Russian Thought.

Reviews

[Motherhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the four brothers represents a different part of human nature -- the intellect, the spirit, the bodily passions, and the base/evil side of man. I read this book at a time when I was struggling with the tension between intellect and spirit, and some passages in this book spoke directly to that. I especially loved the idea that you can't ever prove to yourself that God exists, but you can be convinced of it through the experience of active, selfless love. Allison Pond

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing study. convinced me to read karamazof again, when i’ve finished the possessed. i miss it so much it’s so good and this book discusses it perfectly

[Scotchneat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Dostoyevsky's final novel and the one that lots of people see as his best.

A father dies and we see and hear how each of his sons were part of it. It's psychologically complex and dark, and is a thesis writer's dream. Nobody does rage, revenge and remorse quite like Dostoyevsky.

[Denia Ortega M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha parecido la mejor obra de Dostoyevski..
Me remonta un poco a Crimen y Castigo, y tambien a El Idiota.
Veo similitudes, pero en fin, como es su estilo, personajes fuertes y volubles, una elegante profusión del lenguaje, finísimo, diálogos increíbles, un conocimiento profundo de las emociones, una explosión sicológica muy característica del escritor, pero tambien un incesante cuestionamiento espiritual, siento que esa es la gran base de la novela, en ese sentido, me encantaron las homilías del Padre Zozima recogidas por Alyosha, me doy cuenta que estos dos fueron mis personajes favoritos, aunque no hayan sido los más destacados. Disfruté de muchos de sus monológos, pero otros fueron sumamente abrumadores. En fin, 5 de 5

[Fuzzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible layers to this story! The weaving of man's duality given the right set of circumstances. Doestyevsky invites the reader to witness the spectrum of motivations that drive our actions, the egos role, and the stories we tell ourselves to justify these actions. The role that God plays in our choices and society is also examined throughout. Dark and fascinating.

[John Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. As in Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky, who had endured Siberian prisons, battled addictions and overcome severe disappointments, boldly confronts questions of good and evil in this his magnum opus. It is a story of patricide, the meaning of human freedom, and the depth of forgiveness. Some highlights are the parable of the Grand Inquisitor and the supreme character development of the protagonist, Alyosha. It is definitely worth rereading.

[Sarah White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that got me reading. It took an entire summer. He covers so many subjects and uses such beautiful language, and still manages to interweave a nail-biting mystery that keeps you on your toes until the very end.

[Tiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise analysis to Dostoevski’s masterpiece, William J. Leatherbarrow shows us how the secondary characters in the novel are the amplified consequences and damnation of the protagonists, as well as demonstrates where the gospel and biblical references are and their reason for being there.
Along with insights from the writer’s time and he’s receptiveness as well as his aspirations, accompanied with further philosophical explanations, this book offers a valuable analysis that further enhances the novel.

[Piero Marmanillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luego de leer a LHK, quedé con más interés por la historia. Encontré este libro entre muchos que se encargan de analizarla de manera muy detallada y completa que es un éxito haberla leído porque me ha permitido ampliar mi comprensión de la literatura de Dostoievski.

[Tze Jie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly good book, 10/10 must read in life especially if you are interested in Freud's psychoanalytic theory (the Id, ego and super-ego). My notes are all over the places but still feel like I missed a lot, definitely going to re-read it some day!

[fiscdrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind fuck

[David Waechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting mix between litterature and philosophy.

[Peter Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking good

[April Barrett-Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was tortuous to read. It felt like 3 different long-winded stories sewn together. I understand that it was originally supposed to be split into 2 volumes and that Dostoevsky wrote it towards the end of his life. He had lost a son and had become a recluse.

I picture an old man sitting in a candlelit room day in and day out obsessively penning a story that has become an extension of himself. I respect it but I found the long philosophical passages unnecessary and infuriating. I prefer Crime and Punishment for its concise and captivating storytelling. Perhaps one day I'll revisit this book. Maybe I am too young to appreciate its intricacies.

[Fedornova]

alyosha my love

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can you say when your are reading an admitted classic? I'm enjoying this book, but have been wrestling with finding the time to read. Instead, I've been setting it down in favor of a P. G. Wodehouse binge of Jeeves and Wooster.

What does that say about me? What does it say about my current devotion to THIS book? I'm not sure, but I WILL pick it up again, and anticipate that my enjoyment will continue.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this book. It is not an easy book to read, but like most Russian novelists, Dostoyevsky writes with passion and detail. The central theme of God/Satan/Evil/Charity etc. are woven in this book with great skill. The Brothers are an interesting case study into the Russians culture and soul at the end of the 19th century. Now on to something less "heavy".....I guess a son killing a father (or did he?) is a pretty heavy topic.

[KathyC · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good, but different, on the second read. I had remembered the Grand Inquisitor's speech as revelatory the first time around (in my 20s), and the rest of the novel more or less supporting material. Thirty years later I am interested more in the particulars of Zosima and Alyosha's faith, and my reaction to them. Novel as Rorschach, I guess.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

some of the best argument for an against Christianity presented in a beautiful context, as lived by the lives of the characters in the story. Not exactly a page turner, but "rebellion" and "the grand inquisitor" stick out as being the centerpiece of the novel.

[Troy]

One of my ALL time favorite books ever.......Fyodors portrayal of Alyoshka and the conversation he has with the master monk, chapter entitled "The Grand Inquisitor" is one of the finest metaphors of our misguided love of organized religion as exists....

[Heather Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic but even I couldnt' slog through some of his extensive monologues. oy vay!

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex and well-developed characters.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dostoyevsky portrays Polish people in a negative light. Overall it was okay if you like the Russian literature that is full of drama.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to Herbert Dreyfus's lectures on the book available from Berkeley via iTunes. Turns out Ivan is a sado-masochist.

[Handmade Dork · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting analysis of the human conscience and the varying degrees of moral flexibility, and ethics.

[Tanya]

umm.. im on page 70 .. and cant bring myself to go any futher while doing the IB at the same time..

[Amy]

I enjoyed The Idiot and Notes From the Underground years ago. Maybe I have a bad translation of Brothers. I can't get into it. Didn't finish it.

[Trey]

Dostoyevsky's so dark and psychological and epic, how can you not love him? This one's especially good.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

brutal read at start

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to start cause it's so big but worth it!