The Brothers Karamazov in Classics Without All the Class

Dec 27, 2016 Avisek Bandyopadhyay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, classics, awesome-reads, literary-genius

Review edit 2024

I had this incredible urge to reread the book - the devil with the hat, silent Jesus, the outrageous revelry before suicide - there were some things that stayed with me.

On re-reading, I found out that I craved Ivan more than he is given time. His torment of rejecting God yet being tormented by the Christian code of living struck a chord with me. Is everything permitted as he liked to believe? Or is it true as long as he was an observer of events - the moment he got embroiled, he Review edit 2024

I had this incredible urge to reread the book - the devil with the hat, silent Jesus, the outrageous revelry before suicide - there were some things that stayed with me.

On re-reading, I found out that I craved Ivan more than he is given time. His torment of rejecting God yet being tormented by the Christian code of living struck a chord with me. Is everything permitted as he liked to believe? Or is it true as long as he was an observer of events - the moment he got embroiled, he hated himself? What should he believe?

The arguments about children suffering the bestiality of men especially haunted me - even if there is heaven and hell, how will we ever justify the disgusting act of hurting and murdering young children and then squealing with delight? No amount of karmic justice will avenge the act.

As much as I wanted to stay with Ivan, Aloysha was too sweet for me. Mitya, Grushenka and Katya were still interesting.

As long as it took to re-read, it was worth the time. Recommended

Original review

I have read Crime & punishment some years back. Reputation of Dostoyevsky as a difficult writer to comprehend with dense philosophical overtones in his writing has preceded his literary genius. But surprisingly, I can say that for me, I find him very readable. Of course, I can never race forward through the pages but the sentences, the writing style sits easy. So, when I started Brothers Karamazov, I already knew this was his best work and a culmination of every philosophy he has ever ruminated about. But, as I sank my teeth in the novel, I loved it. I read an article where someone quotes Kurt Vonnegut as "Everything that can be learned about humanity can be learned from this book". I am not that well read, but I concur. through the pages, as the author brings to flesh and life the characters of Dmitry, the sensualist with a noble heart; Ivan, the atheist with a analytical mind; Aloysha, the spiritualist who can only love and never judge; Grushenka, the seductress with a conscience; Katya, the strong feminist with a high sense of self worth; Smerdyakov, the bastard who is as coward as he is conniving - They all make a huge canvas of humanity where every person has modeled himself or herself upon. Through out the book, Dostoyevsky engages in pursuit of God, eternal truth and suffering. Like Crime & Punishment, the buildup to a crime is undeniably detailed and I actually sympathized with the characters when they reasoned and hatched the irrevocable act. But, more than the palpable tension in the hunter or the prey before the heinous act of murder happens, Dostoyevsky revels in penting up the guilt/ remorse/ regrets in his protagonist and his accomplices after the deed is done. Through delirious nightmares (Ivan and the Devil), absorbing conversation between the sinner and a character (Aloysha in this book) who has redemptive qualities or interrogations by law holders, murders are justified yet the act of playing God is heavily criticized. As the protagonist embarks in search of moral compass, societal judgement, spiritual quest, the book doles out something that will stay with me through out my life. The Grand Inquisitor, the Delirium of Ivan, the interrogation of Dmitiry will be some of the pieces of the book I know I have read but I also know I haven't been able to comprehend its depth fully. The best part about reading Dostoyevsky is perhaps his untiring effort to express everything a character feels like he's an animated acquaintance. He doesn't leave any details out. A conversation can usually go for 10 pages as we read about how the conversation gradually reaches its crescendo.
Reading him is an experience, something that will make you think for years after, pieces in the book you know you can reread multiple times and come out with some new understanding with every read. For the 2 months I devoted in reading this book, I think this has been worth the time and the effort. ...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Best book I have read since Lord of the Rings. I cried when I finished it.

The three brothers all represent different moral/philosophical/religious views. The ending answers the questions raised.

I will admit, it took me half way through the book to really get into it, but it was worth it. Read this!

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