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The Brothers Karamazov
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The Brothers Karamazov

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4.32  ·  Rating details ·  267,528 ratings  ·  12,651 reviews
The Brothers Karamazov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their sto ...more
Paperback, 796 pages
Published June 14th 2002 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (first published November 18th 1879)
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I gave up on this book awhile ago because I disliked every single character and didn't care to find out what happened to them. I'm thinking about going back to it now because I don't like unfinished books. Will someone tell me if any likable characters show up? I'm not very far in and will probably have to start over (gah), but I need someone to like in this book.
Brendan Caulfield I think you're coming at it the wrong way. This isn't meant to be light reading; It's heavy-duty philosophy cloaked as a novel.

Each character is a per…moreI think you're coming at it the wrong way. This isn't meant to be light reading; It's heavy-duty philosophy cloaked as a novel.

Each character is a personification of an argument that duke it out in various ways throughout the book.

I found it to be one of the most pure insights into the human condition that I have ever read (besides Dostoyevsky's other books...) You might appreciate it more if you approach it in that light.

It also might not be what you're interested in which is fine too.(less)
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How do you find the character of Pavel Fyodorovich, aka Smerdyakov, in contrast to Ivan? Who among the two represents the 'intellectual' dimension? The character of Smerdyakov is somewhat portrayed as 'evil,' but what about his mind, or the way he posed his challenge to Ivan?
Utkarsh Detha While it is true that Smerdyakov chose wrong means and lacked the virtues one is expected to have (courage, honesty etc.) he was in no way inferior to…moreWhile it is true that Smerdyakov chose wrong means and lacked the virtues one is expected to have (courage, honesty etc.) he was in no way inferior to Ivan in intellect. I think the reason behind this were the unjust norms of the society. Unlike Ivan, Smerdyakov the bastard had to live like a servant. He had no filial rights whatsoever. He wanted to pursue his own dreams but for that he had no support from anyone. Even though Fyodor Karamazov was the worst a father could be, his legitimate sons enjoyed certain privileges that Smerdyakov did not. These privileges came with their name. This was the main reason (as far as I could understand) why Smerdyakov devoted his intellect to petty issues, like manipulating others etc to achieve what he wanted (He dreamed of moving to France). Ivan on the other hand could afford to spend his intellectual resources on 'lofty' issues like the existence of god, etc. Smerdyakov was nearly as capable as Ivan, if not more. He was just deprived of the luxuries (to him, they were luxuries) that the name Karamazov gave to Ivan.

He was able to manipulate Ivan, implant ideas in the minds of everyone and most remarkably the Prosecutor's mind ( the Defense lawyer, Fetyukovich was able to see through his deception and considered him to be a very clever man). This corroborates his superior intellect.(less)
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Goodreads Librari...: Wrong editions 1 9 Aug 28, 2021 04:14AM  
2021 Reading Chal...: This topic has been closed to new comments. The Brothers Karamazov 3 29 Jul 07, 2021 04:45AM  
Goodreads Librari...: Duplicate books 2 20 Jun 04, 2021 02:00PM  
Which brother was your favourite? 9 196 May 22, 2021 03:05AM  
Which translation is the best translation? 79 13790 Feb 13, 2021 02:55PM  
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About Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was born in Moscow in 1821. His debut, the epistolary novella Poor Folk (1846), made his name. In 1849 he was arrested for involvement with the politically subversive 'Petrashevsky circle' and until 1854 he lived in a convict prison in Omsk, Siberia. From this experience came The House of the Dead (1860-2). In 1860 he began the journal Vremya (Time). Already married, ...more

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Trivia About The Brothers Kara...

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Quotes from The Brothers Kara...

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” — 9498 likes
“What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.” — 4564 likes
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