Lisa’s review of The Karamazov Brothers > Likes and Comments
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These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book.
Michael wrote: "These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book."
Thanks, Michael! I have been seeing Munch before my inner eye ever since I started on my Dostoyevsky odyssey. This is the first time I can also feel a lighter touch, even though the Pierrot is sad of course.
Lisa wrote: "Michael wrote: "These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book."
Thanks, Michael! I have been seeing Munch before my inner eye ev..."
Yes, Munch is perfect! And there are those occasional light touches in Dostoyevsky, as he uses humor (often cynical, but still quite funny) to leaven his narrative. It truly is an odyssey.
Shocking! Lisa pleased by Doestoevsky!
Jan-Maat wrote: "Shocking! Lisa pleased by Doestoevsky!"
I know! Maybe I should have waited a bit to write the review, in case my natural anger is just a bit late...
I loved this in parts while in others felt I was crawling... but I enjoyed your enthusiasm.
Kalliope wrote: "I loved this in parts while in others felt I was crawling... but I enjoyed your enthusiasm."
I struggled so much with his other novels that this felt like a vacation. But I wonder whether I would have read it in the same way if this had been my starting point. The Idiot almost broke me down...
I too agree with you, this one compared to The Idiot feels like a vacation. I also felt it crawled at some parts, that's why I read it at a not too slow tempo, to go over the humps. But I think he does well in the end, and the stories and detours add more momentum to the end.
Silvia wrote: "I too agree with you, this one compared to The Idiot feels like a vacation. I also felt it crawled at some parts, that's why I read it at a not too slow tempo, to go over the humps. But I think he ..."
I just disagreed with the main character in the Idiot so much that I could not enjoy the storytelling at all, and in Devils, I had such a hard time with the rape of a child, that parricide was harmless by comparison :-)
Ivana wrote: "love this novel! nice review!"
Thanks, Ivana!
Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like a rock. It really is a special book.
I am glad youread it :). do you think this the finest novel ever written?
Perfect review of a perfect novel. I agree so much with you, Lisa.
Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like a rock. It really..."
I agree, Shreerag. I wasn't expecting it to be funny, but I laughed outloud when I read the theological deliberations regarding Zossima's decomposition. And the trial...
I must tackle this someday. It seems to get the thumbs up from just about everybody!.
This was my first Dosteyevsky and is still my favourite (The Idiot is a close second). I read the modern Ignet Avsey translation rather than the Garnett. A great review that reminds me of so many of the elements that made it such a rewarding read.
Mohamad wrote: "I am glad youread it :). do you think this the finest novel ever written?"
That's a tricky question, Mohamad. It is not my favourite, not even top five I guess, but that is a matter of taste. Hard to choose between the best of the best...
Isidora wrote: "Perfect review of a perfect novel. I agree so much with you, Lisa."
Thank you so much, Isidora! Happy you like it too.
Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force work of D in the last few years of his life. I think the clarity you talked about might have its origin in the death of Alyosha, D's 3-year old son - the event also happens to be a key driver behind penning this book and naming its hero as such. Thank you bringing back my memories of living with the three brothers, and their father, and their loves and life. We have the Karamazovs in the house! :)
Steven wrote: "I must tackle this someday. It seems to get the thumbs up from just about everybody!."
Yes, I definitely recommend you to read it, even though it is time-consuming. Somehow there are some books that are more powerfulthan others...
Ivan wrote: "Me too!"
It is in the eternal literary hall of fame :-)
Lisa, would you please name your top 5 ?
Mohamad wrote: "Lisa, would you please name your top 5 ?"
I have been thinking for ten straight minutes, and there are so manybooks fighting in my head now that I find it impossible to answer the question, especially since it is a matter of changing taste. Most books are beloved for entirely different reasons as well. But here is a number of books I would reread any time (and before BK), in no particular order:
Don Quixote
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Midnight's Children
Madame Bovary
Beloved
Of Human Bondage
The Grapes of Wrath
Anything by Goethe, Voltaire, Diderot, Dickens, Camus, Virginia Woolf, Heinrich Böll and Selma Lagerlöf... I consider Dostoyevsky one of the great writers of world literature, but he is by no means the only giant, and not my favourite - which only tells you something about my (changing) taste, not about his writing. And then you have all the poets and playwrights and, and, and... Question back: what are your favourites?
An impressive review to match your impressive list of reads this year, Lisa.
A list so highbrow at times that the brows were floating above the heads, like flying caterpillars!
: )
Never settle for mediocre.
Thank you, you have a refined taste, I read most of them except for Beloved and Midnight's Children. I hope you do something by Zola.
Mohamad wrote: "Thank you, you have a refined taste, I read most of them except for Beloved and Midnight's Children. I hope you do something by Zola."
Of course! My Zola collection is one of my most precious possessions. How could I forget? Thanks, Mohamad. It's time for another Rougon Macquart soon :-)
I loved the Inquisitor-Zosima “debate” but I couldn’t relate to any other part of this book. The soul of the book felt lost in translation
Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force work of D in th..."
Thank you for the added nuance, Seemita! So grateful for your comment! The funny thing is, one of my sons and I have been reading two different family novels simultaneously, and are now debating whether we are more Karamazovs or Buddenbrooks. My growing up with brothers expands the discussion, and makes both novels seem relevant!
Kevin wrote: "An impressive review to match your impressive list of reads this year, Lisa.
A list so highbrow at times that the brows were floating above the heads, like flying caterpillars!
: )
Never settle for..."
Yes, mediocre is worse than horrible - for that's at least not boring. Iwonder if I can get my high-flying brows back though? Not good for my vanity at all to lose them. But good for my mood that you made me laugh like that, Kevin!
Neil wrote: "I loved the Inquisitor-Zosima “debate” but I couldn’t relate to any other part of this book. The soul of the book felt lost in translation"
I felt that more with The Idiot and Devils - being very, very Russian. I could relate better to the emotional rollercoaster of family life. However, Dostoyevsky has been the best literary struggle in 2017 for me.
Lisa wrote: "Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like ..."
Despite his death being announced in the back cover of the book, Fyodor is the most hilarious. Dostoyevsky has an innate ability to push through sarcasm through the page. It's uncanny. That scene where they all met Zossima for the first time had me in stitches.
Lisa wrote: "Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force..."
Whoa! That's a roaring literary family :)
Shreerag wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they ..."
Oh yes, that scene is hilarious! Family in a nutshell!
Exile in a place worse than Siberia (Oh, America, what a delightful irony Dimitri’s words are!) - LOL
"Mature.... Magnum Opus" = the perfect place to start with Dostojevski ?
Dimitri wrote: "Exile in a place worse than Siberia (Oh, America, what a delightful irony Dimitri’s words are!) - LOL
"Mature.... Magnum Opus" = the perfect place to start with Dostojevski ?"
Probably, Dimitri! It is a great way to close a Dostoyevsky year as well.
Great review of an outstanding novel. In the end family is the great constant in most peoples lives, and Mr D captures this so well. I would still rate Crime and Punishment a smidgeon above BK though
Ray wrote: "Great review of an outstanding novel. In the end family is the great constant in most peoples lives, and Mr D captures this so well. I would still rate Crime and Punishment a smidgeon above BK though"
I agree that C&P is more interesting, Ray! But it was my first Dostoevsky, and I was still furious with his Christian suffering and misogyny then :-)
Great review, I loved your closing paragraph, Lisa. You make me want to revisit it, this time hopefully without being confined to a hospital bed with concussion and some fractures.
Ilse wrote: "Great review, I loved your closing paragraph, Lisa. You make me want to revisit it, this time hopefully without being confined to a hospital bed with concussion and some fractures."
Oh, that sounds like a strong cocktail, Ilse! Dostoevsky plus a dramatic situation of your own at the same time. Maybe it gave your reading extra depth, though!
Seemita wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this ..."
Yes, indeed.
And you wrote a perfect review to celebrate it! Thank you Lisa.
Eleanor wrote: "And you wrote a perfect review to celebrate it! Thank you Lisa."
Thank you, Eleanor!
And yet, there is something milder, more soothing in the Brothers Karamazov, there is mature perfection in this novel. I couldn't agree more, though my personal favourite is Crime and Punishment. Wonderful analysis, Lisa!
Anuradha wrote: "And yet, there is something milder, more soothing in the Brothers Karamazov, there is mature perfection in this novel. I couldn't agree more, though my personal favourite is Crime and Punishment. W..."
Thanks, Anuradha! I think I had more fun reading C&P as well, but BK felt like a more accomplished novel, if that makes sense.
It's been my pleasure to read this review. I read the book 2-3 years ago in Russian, and it's still one of my favourites.
Siarhei wrote: "It's been my pleasure to read this review. I read the book 2-3 years ago in Russian, and it's still one of my favourites."
Thank you, Siarhei! That makes me very happy!
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Michael
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Nov 14, 2017 10:56AM
These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book.
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Michael wrote: "These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book."Thanks, Michael! I have been seeing Munch before my inner eye ever since I started on my Dostoyevsky odyssey. This is the first time I can also feel a lighter touch, even though the Pierrot is sad of course.
Lisa wrote: "Michael wrote: "These are such wonderfully perfect illustrations, Lisa! They make me long for an illustrated version of this book."Thanks, Michael! I have been seeing Munch before my inner eye ev..."
Yes, Munch is perfect! And there are those occasional light touches in Dostoyevsky, as he uses humor (often cynical, but still quite funny) to leaven his narrative. It truly is an odyssey.
Shocking! Lisa pleased by Doestoevsky!
Jan-Maat wrote: "Shocking! Lisa pleased by Doestoevsky!"I know! Maybe I should have waited a bit to write the review, in case my natural anger is just a bit late...
I loved this in parts while in others felt I was crawling... but I enjoyed your enthusiasm.
Kalliope wrote: "I loved this in parts while in others felt I was crawling... but I enjoyed your enthusiasm."I struggled so much with his other novels that this felt like a vacation. But I wonder whether I would have read it in the same way if this had been my starting point. The Idiot almost broke me down...
I too agree with you, this one compared to The Idiot feels like a vacation. I also felt it crawled at some parts, that's why I read it at a not too slow tempo, to go over the humps. But I think he does well in the end, and the stories and detours add more momentum to the end.
Silvia wrote: "I too agree with you, this one compared to The Idiot feels like a vacation. I also felt it crawled at some parts, that's why I read it at a not too slow tempo, to go over the humps. But I think he ..."I just disagreed with the main character in the Idiot so much that I could not enjoy the storytelling at all, and in Devils, I had such a hard time with the rape of a child, that parricide was harmless by comparison :-)
Ivana wrote: "love this novel! nice review!"Thanks, Ivana!
Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like a rock. It really is a special book.
I am glad youread it :). do you think this the finest novel ever written?
Perfect review of a perfect novel. I agree so much with you, Lisa.
Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like a rock. It really..."I agree, Shreerag. I wasn't expecting it to be funny, but I laughed outloud when I read the theological deliberations regarding Zossima's decomposition. And the trial...
I must tackle this someday. It seems to get the thumbs up from just about everybody!.
This was my first Dosteyevsky and is still my favourite (The Idiot is a close second). I read the modern Ignet Avsey translation rather than the Garnett. A great review that reminds me of so many of the elements that made it such a rewarding read.
Mohamad wrote: "I am glad youread it :). do you think this the finest novel ever written?"That's a tricky question, Mohamad. It is not my favourite, not even top five I guess, but that is a matter of taste. Hard to choose between the best of the best...
Isidora wrote: "Perfect review of a perfect novel. I agree so much with you, Lisa."Thank you so much, Isidora! Happy you like it too.
Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force work of D in the last few years of his life. I think the clarity you talked about might have its origin in the death of Alyosha, D's 3-year old son - the event also happens to be a key driver behind penning this book and naming its hero as such. Thank you bringing back my memories of living with the three brothers, and their father, and their loves and life. We have the Karamazovs in the house! :)
Steven wrote: "I must tackle this someday. It seems to get the thumbs up from just about everybody!."Yes, I definitely recommend you to read it, even though it is time-consuming. Somehow there are some books that are more powerfulthan others...
Ivan wrote: "Me too!"It is in the eternal literary hall of fame :-)
Lisa, would you please name your top 5 ?
Mohamad wrote: "Lisa, would you please name your top 5 ?"I have been thinking for ten straight minutes, and there are so manybooks fighting in my head now that I find it impossible to answer the question, especially since it is a matter of changing taste. Most books are beloved for entirely different reasons as well. But here is a number of books I would reread any time (and before BK), in no particular order:
Don Quixote
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Midnight's Children
Madame Bovary
Beloved
Of Human Bondage
The Grapes of Wrath
Anything by Goethe, Voltaire, Diderot, Dickens, Camus, Virginia Woolf, Heinrich Böll and Selma Lagerlöf... I consider Dostoyevsky one of the great writers of world literature, but he is by no means the only giant, and not my favourite - which only tells you something about my (changing) taste, not about his writing. And then you have all the poets and playwrights and, and, and... Question back: what are your favourites?
An impressive review to match your impressive list of reads this year, Lisa.A list so highbrow at times that the brows were floating above the heads, like flying caterpillars!
: )
Never settle for mediocre.
Thank you, you have a refined taste, I read most of them except for Beloved and Midnight's Children. I hope you do something by Zola.
Mohamad wrote: "Thank you, you have a refined taste, I read most of them except for Beloved and Midnight's Children. I hope you do something by Zola."Of course! My Zola collection is one of my most precious possessions. How could I forget? Thanks, Mohamad. It's time for another Rougon Macquart soon :-)
I loved the Inquisitor-Zosima “debate” but I couldn’t relate to any other part of this book. The soul of the book felt lost in translation
Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force work of D in th..."Thank you for the added nuance, Seemita! So grateful for your comment! The funny thing is, one of my sons and I have been reading two different family novels simultaneously, and are now debating whether we are more Karamazovs or Buddenbrooks. My growing up with brothers expands the discussion, and makes both novels seem relevant!
Kevin wrote: "An impressive review to match your impressive list of reads this year, Lisa.A list so highbrow at times that the brows were floating above the heads, like flying caterpillars!
: )
Never settle for..."
Yes, mediocre is worse than horrible - for that's at least not boring. Iwonder if I can get my high-flying brows back though? Not good for my vanity at all to lose them. But good for my mood that you made me laugh like that, Kevin!
Neil wrote: "I loved the Inquisitor-Zosima “debate” but I couldn’t relate to any other part of this book. The soul of the book felt lost in translation"I felt that more with The Idiot and Devils - being very, very Russian. I could relate better to the emotional rollercoaster of family life. However, Dostoyevsky has been the best literary struggle in 2017 for me.
Lisa wrote: "Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they hit you like ..."Despite his death being announced in the back cover of the book, Fyodor is the most hilarious. Dostoyevsky has an innate ability to push through sarcasm through the page. It's uncanny. That scene where they all met Zossima for the first time had me in stitches.
Lisa wrote: "Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this tour de force..."Whoa! That's a roaring literary family :)
Shreerag wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Shreerag wrote: "Fantastic review, and a fantastic book. What is most surprising about it really is the humour. It's so funny! But at the times that its poignancy shines through, they ..."Oh yes, that scene is hilarious! Family in a nutshell!
Exile in a place worse than Siberia (Oh, America, what a delightful irony Dimitri’s words are!) - LOL"Mature.... Magnum Opus" = the perfect place to start with Dostojevski ?
Dimitri wrote: "Exile in a place worse than Siberia (Oh, America, what a delightful irony Dimitri’s words are!) - LOL"Mature.... Magnum Opus" = the perfect place to start with Dostojevski ?"
Probably, Dimitri! It is a great way to close a Dostoyevsky year as well.
Great review of an outstanding novel. In the end family is the great constant in most peoples lives, and Mr D captures this so well. I would still rate Crime and Punishment a smidgeon above BK though
Ray wrote: "Great review of an outstanding novel. In the end family is the great constant in most peoples lives, and Mr D captures this so well. I would still rate Crime and Punishment a smidgeon above BK though"I agree that C&P is more interesting, Ray! But it was my first Dostoevsky, and I was still furious with his Christian suffering and misogyny then :-)
Great review, I loved your closing paragraph, Lisa. You make me want to revisit it, this time hopefully without being confined to a hospital bed with concussion and some fractures.
Ilse wrote: "Great review, I loved your closing paragraph, Lisa. You make me want to revisit it, this time hopefully without being confined to a hospital bed with concussion and some fractures."Oh, that sounds like a strong cocktail, Ilse! Dostoevsky plus a dramatic situation of your own at the same time. Maybe it gave your reading extra depth, though!
Seemita wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Seemita wrote: "Oh my dearie! You write one of my favorite reviews of the year, Lisa! And of one of my all-time favorite books! I can't agree with you enough on your appraisal of this ..."Yes, indeed.
And you wrote a perfect review to celebrate it! Thank you Lisa.
Eleanor wrote: "And you wrote a perfect review to celebrate it! Thank you Lisa."Thank you, Eleanor!
And yet, there is something milder, more soothing in the Brothers Karamazov, there is mature perfection in this novel. I couldn't agree more, though my personal favourite is Crime and Punishment. Wonderful analysis, Lisa!
Anuradha wrote: "And yet, there is something milder, more soothing in the Brothers Karamazov, there is mature perfection in this novel. I couldn't agree more, though my personal favourite is Crime and Punishment. W..."Thanks, Anuradha! I think I had more fun reading C&P as well, but BK felt like a more accomplished novel, if that makes sense.
It's been my pleasure to read this review. I read the book 2-3 years ago in Russian, and it's still one of my favourites.
Siarhei wrote: "It's been my pleasure to read this review. I read the book 2-3 years ago in Russian, and it's still one of my favourites."Thank you, Siarhei! That makes me very happy!
