Michael’s review of The Brothers Karamazov > Likes and Comments

I like your comment about breaking the rules of fiction. Dosty is one of those authors where you wonder, "How'd he do that?"

Great review Michael!

I first read this book in high school, read it for the fourth time a few years back. I'll likely read it once more in my lifetime. I'll have to look up that translation.

Michael: Nice review! I plan to read it before the end of the year. Should have read it before now but just never got around to it. I'll be sure to use this translation. Seems like a good one.

Ken wrote: "I like your comment about breaking the rules of fiction. Dosty is one of those authors where you wonder, "How'd he do that?""

Thanks, Ken. Yeah, I really do wonder how he's managing to pull this off. Although maybe my confusion stems more from my absorption of those silly "rules" than anything else.

Diana wrote: "Great review Michael!"

Thanks, Diana! It's wonderful so far, and I'll keep updating my review as I go.

Nancy wrote: "I first read this book in high school, read it for the fourth time a few years back. I'll likely read it once more in my lifetime. I'll have to look up that translation."

Wow, Nancy. I really admire the fact that you were able to read this in high school. I first read it while in college, and I must say I wasn't ready for it then. And yes, this is a wonderful translation. Even though I have the Pevear / Volokhonsky translation at home, I never managed to get into that one, and I find this one much better.

Drpsychorat wrote: "Michael: Nice review! I plan to read it before the end of the year. Should have read it before now but just never got around to it. I'll be sure to use this translation. Seems like a good one."

Thanks so much! I know what you mean. I've got so many books lying around at home that I think I ought to have read by now, but for some reason have never gotten around to. And yes, this is a really nice translation--it reads very smoothly and doesn't leave me scratching my head, as many translations do.

Thanks for bringing this book up Michael. I too read this about forty years ago. You have given me the urge to reread so I'll be moving it to my reread list. I wonder if the thrill of reading it will return.

RK-ique wrote: "Thanks for bringing this book up Michael. I too read this about forty years ago. You have given me the urge to reread so I'll be moving it to my reread list. I wonder if the thrill of reading it wi..."

Thank you, RK-ique! I'm always interested to know how a book I read many years ago will strike me now. There have been times when something I found thrilling a long time ago leaves me flat. Is it because I'm a better reader now? Or a worse one? That's what I can never tell. Anyway, I do hope you re-read this and that the thrill of reading it returns and that it's even better than you remember. I look forward to hearing what you think!

Michael wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I first read this book in high school, read it for the fourth time a few years back. I'll likely read it once more in my lifetime. I'll have to look up that translation."

Wow, Nancy...."

In 12th grade I read this in a World Lit class. It was taught by a great teacher.

Nancy wrote: "Michael wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I first read this book in high school, read it for the fourth time a few years back. I'll likely read it once more in my lifetime. I'll have to look up that translatio..."

Sounds like a really great teacher, Nancy. They do make all the difference.

It's a stunning book. I read it in 10th grade and fell in love with Russian literature, after I read LES MISERABLES and my English teacher recommended me Dostoevsky.

Any particular reason for the Ignat Avsey translation that your friend might have mentioned?

Leah Rachel wrote: "It's a stunning book. I read it in 10th grade and fell in love with Russian literature, after I read LES MISERABLES and my English teacher recommended me Dostoevsky."

Thanks, Leah Rachel. I admire you for being able to read it in 10th grade! That's quite an accomplishment. Les Mis is next on my list of big 19th century novels--one I haven't read before, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Brian wrote: "Any particular reason for the Ignat Avsey translation that your friend might have mentioned?"

Brian--she mentioned that it's a smooth, non-clunky translation that reads stylishly in English, and so far I agree. Some translators try to stay so close to the original Russian that the language doesn't quite work in English. Of course some people prefer a "close to the original" translation despite this, but I'm not one of them--I'd much rather have a work that reads well in English, and this one fits the bill.

Isn't it magnificent?? One of my all time favourites.

Robin wrote: "Isn't it magnificent?? One of my all time favourites."

Thanks, Robin. Yes, it's marvelous--a supreme work of art.

Michael, how cool that we're reading this at the same time, coming off our joint War and Peace read! And I'm so happy you're enjoying the translation. After your brilliant recommendation of the Briggs translation of W&P, I would have hated to have steered you wrong. Looking forward to comparing notes as we move through the novel.

“Wastrel father.” Love it!

Kris wrote: "Michael, how cool that we're reading this at the same time, coming off our joint War and Peace read! And I'm so happy you're enjoying the translation. After your brilliant recommendation of the Bri..."

Thanks, Kris! Yes, you inspired me here. After your recommendation I order the Avsey translation, and when it arrived I just couldn't resist. It's wonderful so far. How are you liking it? I'm looking forward to comparing notes, too. Oh, and I'm glad you liked the Briggs translation of W&P!

Julie wrote: "“Wastrel father.” Love it!"

Thanks, Julie! I appreciate it!

Intrigued by your reviewing as you read for this one.

I have this same version sitting on my shelf and I've been putting it off because of there sheer size... Think I should give it a go?

Daniel wrote: "Intrigued by your reviewing as you read for this one."

Thanks, Daniel. It's really the only way I'm able to keep it all straight and to remember everything.

Madelyn wrote: "I have this same version sitting on my shelf and I've been putting it off because of there sheer size... Think I should give it a go?"

Madelyn--I tend to be a moody and impulsive reader who just goes with whatever grabs my attention at the moment. For whatever reason, this did just that. As soon as it arrived in the mail, I dove in and it clicked. So I'd say give it a try and see how it goes! If you're not feeling it, you can always put it down and try again when the time is right. Happy reading! I'd love to hear how it goes.

My Dostoyevsky reading this year has led me to the conclusion that his spirituality itself is dark and cynical, and that it therefore isn't a contradiction. His theology is as honest and eager as it is evil.

Lisa wrote: "My Dostoyevsky reading this year has led me to the conclusion that his spirituality itself is dark and cynical, and that it therefore isn't a contradiction. His theology is as honest and eager as i..."

Thanks, Lisa. That's a wonderful insight, and I'll keep it in mind as I progress through the book. I've also got Crime and Punishment on my list to re-read soon--so more darkness and cynicism on the horizon.

Hi Michael: I meant to reply sooner with some thoughts about my reading so far, but work got crazy -- sorry for the delay! I've been thinking a lot about the very different feel of TBK vs W&P. One element that comes across strongly in Dostoevsky is the village setting -- more focus on the lower social orders. I also keep going back and forth between spotting a folkloric influence (broad humor, a sense of storytelling that feels right for a tavern instead of a drawing room) and a religious one based on parables. From the beginning, introducing each of the brothers as representing a different approach to living (spiritual, intellectual, physical) reinforces this sense.

Kris wrote: "Hi Michael: I meant to reply sooner with some thoughts about my reading so far, but work got crazy -- sorry for the delay! I've been thinking a lot about the very different feel of TBK vs W&P. One ..."

Those are some wonderful insights, Kris. I agree, the world of Dostoyevsky is so different from that of Tolstoy--more ragged, impoverished, alcoholic, gritty, and cynical. The dark side of human nature is on display here in a way it is only briefly in Tolstoy, when he describes Helene, and even then Tolstoy takes great pains to suggest that she's emblematic of Frenchness. Here, it's a much more direct and earthy description of sordidness--I definitely have a mental picture of village life that's not at all charming or idealized. And you're right, too, that there is a sense of storytelling imbedded within the novel that you don't find in Tolstoy either. Here, much of the "action" is contained in the stories the characters tell, whereas for Tolstoy the action was much more immediate and unmediated. And it is interesting that for all of Tolstoy the author's mysticism and religiosity, Dostoyevsky is the one who handles such material directly through parables, stories, and the like, although even here his cynicism shines through.

They're both such fascinating works in such different ways! I'm really glad we're able to read them both together, and I look forward to the continued conversation.

Michael, I'll hold off liking your review until you finish reading the book, in case I miss something.

Ian wrote: "Michael, I'll hold off liking your review until you finish reading the book, in case I miss something."

Thanks, Ian. I hope you enjoy the review/discussion as it goes along.

I just finished it too and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to read Crime and Punishment (after a little break!). I'm listening to Notes from Underground right now and liking it way more than I thought I would!

Terris wrote: "I just finished it too and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to read Crime and Punishment (after a little break!). I'm listening to Notes from Underground right now and l..."

BTW Terris, a new translation of Crime and Punishment by Michael Katz is being released next month. It sounds like it could be excellent -- may be something you want to consider.

Kris wrote: "Terris wrote: "I just finished it too and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to read Crime and Punishment (after a little break!). I'm listening to Notes from Underground ..."

Thanks for the info!

Terris wrote: "I just finished it too and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to read Crime and Punishment (after a little break!). I'm listening to Notes from Underground right now and l..."

Thanks, Terris. Yes, I'm pinching myself as I go, wondering why this is so compelling. But I'm trying not to question myself too much! It's fantastic, and that's all I need to know.

Kris wrote: "Terris wrote: "I just finished it too and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to read Crime and Punishment (after a little break!). I'm listening to Notes from Underground ..."

Thanks, Kris. I saw this news, too. Now I'm conflicted, because I recently bought the recent Oliver Ready translation, which also looks terrific. Have you read it?

Michael, I have the Ready translation waiting to be read as well. I'll buy the Katz as well -- I like collecting translations -- and I'll figure out then which I like more.

Kris wrote: "Michael, I have the Ready translation waiting to be read as well. I'll buy the Katz as well -- I like collecting translations -- and I'll figure out then which I like more."

Kris--I find myself collecting translations, too, even when I don't necessarily want to. I've dipped into the Ready translation and I like what I've read so far. I'm curious to hear what you think of the Katz once you buy it. If it's something special I might just have to get it as well!

Read this and loved it Michael, your wonderful review brings back good memories...

Henry wrote: "Read this and loved it Michael, your wonderful review brings back good memories..."

Thanks so much, Henry! I read it too long ago (and I was too young) to have appreciated it the first time I read it, so it's a real treat to be reading it now. I'm still amazed by how great this is.

Very nice review, Michael. I'm wondering whether you researched which translation to read. Did you?

Mindy wrote: "Very nice review, Michael. I'm wondering whether you researched which translation to read. Did you?"

Thanks so much, Mindy! Yes, I did some research, as I'm pretty particular about translations. I actually owned the Pevear / Volokhonsky translation already, but for some reason it seemed clunky to me, and I was never able to get into it. When I wanted to try reading the book again, I relied on the advice of my Goodreads friend Kris, who recommended the Avsey translation that I went with. Basically I went online to Amazon and read the first few pages of the translation, compared it to what I had as well as to a couple of others, and decided I liked it best of all. To me, that's always the best test. I hope this helps!

Enjoyed rereading your fine review of this classic, Michael. You sure are among those top reviews who will be getting a Snow Leopard mug (per my review of The Fur Hat).

Glenn wrote: "Enjoyed rereading your fine review of this classic, Michael. You sure are among those top reviews who will be getting a Snow Leopard mug (per my review of The Fur Hat)."

Thanks so much, Glenn, for your kind words. Rereading these great classics makes me realize what an obtuse reader I was in my younger days, when I hardly comprehended the amazing artistry on display here. I used to never reread books, feeling like there were too many I hadn't read yet, but now I see that I absolutely have to reread certain things, because really it's like reading them for the first time.

Oh, thanks so much for rating me worthy of a Snow Leopard mug! As you'll see in my comment to your review of The Fur Hat, there were some technical hitches with the, a, cup I did receive, but I'm sure those will be ironed out soon enough!

☆♥☆Kotyonok the Potato★♡★ wrote: "Great review. I have this book, and I'm kind of intimidated by the size, but at the same time I loved. Crime and Punishment and, as you said, I love how Dostoyevsky fits in so many layers in his wo..."

Thanks so much, Kotyonok. It's a marvelous book, and yes, so layered. I too love how Dostoyevsky makes you think, how he rejects easy answers or platitudes for more difficult truths. I do hope you get a chance to read this soon. I'm hoping to read Crime and Punishment again myself. I've been really enjoying these huge Russian novels lately.

How interesting to share your reading journey of this timeless classic. I'm daunted by it and have not yet plucked up courage to read it. But I'm intrigued by "how he effortlessly 'contains multitudes' in this masterful work" and how he was able to "plumb all that's dark and pathetic about human nature". Thank you, Michael. I'll keep in mind the Ignet Avsey translation.

Laysee wrote: "How interesting to share your reading journey of this timeless classic. I'm daunted by it and have not yet plucked up courage to read it. But I'm intrigued by "how he effortlessly 'contains multitu..."

Thanks so much, Laysee. I too was intimidated by this for a long time, but I finally just decided to take the plunge to see how it would go. I've really been pleasantly surprised. I hope you get a chance to read this soon too. I'd look forward to your thoughts!

“One of the things I find so fascinating about this book is how it can be both one of the most dark and cynical works I've read, and one of the most overtly spiritual and soulful.”

This is exactly my view on “The Brothers Karamazov” too. Great write-up, Michael. T recommended your reviews to me some time ago and I am certainly not disappointed.

Lars Halvorsen wrote: "“One of the things I find so fascinating about this book is how it can be both one of the most dark and cynical works I've read, and one of the most overtly spiritual and soulful.”

This is exactly..."

Thanks so much, Lars. I appreciate your kind words--and the recommendation from T. I've just finished the book and am gathering my thoughts to finish the review, but needless to say, I remain in awe of this masterpiece. I'll also check out your reviews--I'd love to hear more about what you're reading.