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

YES! I love those instructions to the Karamazov family. Hilarious and fitting! What a treat to know you'll be plunging into this spiritual masterpiece. Anxious to know your impressions! :)

Heh, I was going to write "stop drinking" but then changed my mind. Last night, I was looking at my groups and I saw this one's about to read TBK. And I thought: "This is my opportunity!" I almost finish it but now, I must really do some rereading.
Thank you, Dolors! :)

"Heh, I was going to write "stop drinking" but then changed my mind"
HA! That would have been a blast. And so true!
Have you read any Tolstoy? I met him last summer with W&P and now that I've started Anna Karenina I think he can easily become one of my favorite writers --although I admit being a shameless anglophile and having a soft spot for British literature.

My heart is torn in two. I kind of became a Russo/Anglophile. Though a little German doesn't hurt anybody!
Yes, I read a couple of short stories (a long time ago), started W&P--it's there to finish, I'm embarrassed to say--and last year, The Death of Ivan Ilych, which I urged all breathing people to read in my review. I was blown away by his beautiful writing and amazing insights on the human condition. So short, so intense. However, I can't help the feeling that I need to read more to consider him a favorite of mine. He's like an acquaintance but not a pal yet. With Dostoyevsky I feel like we can go for some coffee and hang out (I'd just listen, of course!).

You are most right about the German...allow me to add some of my French buddies as well. This world wouldn't be the same without Hugo, Flaubert, Colette or Zola either! :)
I have just added Tolstoy's short novella to my TBR. I had it on my radar but somehow I never got around to learning more about it. Your review just convinced me of the need to put an amend to that as soon as time permits.

And Sartre, Camus, Baudelaire. This -phile thing is too difficult to handle!

Yeyyy! :)

:))

Splendid review, Florencia. A hard book to review but you did such a fantastic job. We surely can't choose our families and we also can't avoid challenges and struggles life present before us, so one simple needs to have heart and read books like TBK.

Garima wrote: "Splendid review, Florencia. A hard book to review but you did such a fantastic job. We surely can't choose our families and we also can't avoid challenges and struggles life present before us, so o..."

Thank you very much for your comment, Garima! Indeed, this was a difficult book to review. Everything seems to be already said. I tried and, hopefully, he won't mind. I hardly did justice to his work but he knows how much I love his writing :P

You've given a very original approach to Dostoevsky's spiritual epic, reminding me of Tolstoy's opening line all happy families are alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way in "Anna Karenina". Well argued and balanced macro and micro analysis of the underlying issues and the characters of the novel, which you later on elevate to a full allegory for mankind. I found myself nodding in agreement when I reached this paragraph:

" And yes, there is a lot of religion in here, but even me, a person that is struggling with a lack of faith and a deep ocean filled with doubts and fear, can still be interested and dazzled by all this."

I felt exactly the same way, Florencia. I am not a religious person yet I felt my soul stirring when I witnessed the suffering of these flawed brothers who wrestled against themselves to find redemption in a world that was shifting gears rapidly. I think you magnificently summarized Dostoevsky's message in that concluding paragraph, we are human, we are inconsistent and restless, we struggle, but the biggest mistake we might commit is to abandon faith in love. Wonderful analytic skills and poignant review, Florencia.

Dolors wrote: "You've given a very original approach to Dostoevsky's spiritual epic, reminding me of Tolstoy's opening line all happy families are alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way in "Anna K..."

It has been said that the "nonbelievers", atheists, agnostics, etc. are the most obsessed with religion :P A character like Alyosha always makes me think that it would be so much easier if I could believe in something superior; faith is truly a blessing. And then I read Sartre, a man who also referred to one of the leitmotifs of this amazing work, In a world without God, everything is permitted. And it kind of makes sense to me also, in a more complicated and colder way. And there I am, sort of floating in the middle. Heh, my mind is not big enough to contain all the uncertainties of the world.
Thank you for your beautiful words, Dolors. And for taking the time to read this babbling of mine. And for being the excellent reader, writer and person you are. I really appreciate every one of your comments. :)

Florencia wrote: "Dolors wrote: "You've given a very original approach to Dostoevsky's spiritual epic, reminding me of Tolstoy's opening line all happy families are alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own..."

Linking Dostoevsky's faith with Sartre's skepticism was a masterful coup de force Florencia. Wonderful ability to connect works and find paralellisms worthy of further exploration!

Dolors wrote: "Florencia wrote: "Dolors wrote: "You've given a very original approach to Dostoevsky's spiritual epic, reminding me of Tolstoy's opening line all happy families are alike, every unhappy family is ..."

Thank you, Dolors! Reading those writers simultaneously was a rewarding experience. :)

Extremely good review! I hope someday to read this novel.

Alejandro wrote: "Extremely good review! I hope someday to read this novel."

Thank you very much, Alejandro! I hope you do, it's a fascinating work.

Great review Florencia, everything I have read from Dostoevsky so far has been hard but gripping. I am anxious to read TBK this summer since it is the book chosen by my group and your review simply urges me to start.

Great review!

Garyfalia wrote: "Great review Florencia, everything I have read from Dostoevsky so far has been hard but gripping. I am anxious to read TBK this summer since it is the book chosen by my group and your review simpl..."

Thank you, Garyfalia! Indeed, it's difficult but so rewarding. An incredible journey. I hope you like it too.

Arnie wrote: "Great review!"

Thank you very much, Arnie!

I agree with your assessment of this great book, so artfully and forcefully stated in this excellent review. I recently reread this year and you helped me remember why. Well done, Florencia.

Excellent review. Yes, indeed. All spiritual teachers from the wisdom traditions tell us how our big problem in being human is forgetting we are light (what the ancient seers called Being-Consicousness-Bliss) at our very core. Lots of forgetting in this classic novel.

Sckenda wrote: "I agree with your assessment of this great book, so artfully and forcefully stated in this excellent review. I recently reread this year and you helped me remember why. Well done, Florencia."

I wonder how many new wonderful insights you found after rereading such a masterfully written book. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this, Steve.

Glenn wrote: "Excellent review. Yes, indeed. All spiritual teachers from the wisdom traditions tell us how our big problem in being human is forgetting we are light (what the ancient seers called Being-Consico..."

Absolutely. Thank you for reading this and leaving a kind and enlightening comment, Glenn.

Great review!

This remains in the top 10 of best books I've ever read. "The Grand Inquisitor" section is simply unforgettable to me.

Renato wrote: "Great review!

This remains in the top 10 of best books I've ever read. "The Grand Inquisitor" section is simply unforgettable to me."

Thank you very much, Renato! Yes, the passage you mention is exquisite, indeed. This is such a brilliant work.

Wonderful review, Florencia. I wasn't sure where to start in reviewing a novel like this so I've left a proper review for later, but your paragraphs capture the essence of your reading experience and dissect his last work masterfully. To pick one part I sympathised with: "I try not to make out of every word written by the author, a reflection of the person he or she really is." Bravo.

Junta wrote: "Wonderful review, Florencia. I wasn't sure where to start in reviewing a novel like this so I've left a proper review for later, but your paragraphs capture the essence of your reading experience a..."

Thank you very much for leaving such a kind comment and for reminding me about this review. It needed some editing, though, some words and metaphors unnecessarily repeated. I never truly finish a review :P
I understand how difficult it can be to review a FD book. I still can't write about "Notes from Underground". And this year I finished "Crime and Punishment" but by the time I feel ready to write something, I'll have to do some serious rereading. Thank you for reading!

Incredible review! I hope to read this one soon.

Erwin wrote: "Incredible review! I hope to read this one soon."

Thank you! It would be nice to read your thoughts on this one.

Excellent review. Florencia. It's hard as it is reviewing a book like this and you have done a masterful job in highlighting its contours.

Desislava wrote: "Great review! The length of the novel creates a certain atmosphere and mood, and Dostoyevsky way of story-telling is truly delightful. But I had some problems with this book and it's not my favouri..."

Thank you very much! It's a major work that deals with almost every aspect of the human nature, that's for sure. But I also struggled with the religious factor. Like I said, the book about the monk became too much for me. And other passages too. I could overcome that and gave it five stars because of all the other elements that made this book unforgettable to me.

Jibran wrote: "Excellent review. Florencia. It's hard as it is reviewing a book like this and you have done a masterful job in highlighting its contours."

Thank you very much, Jibran. I have no shame, really. I could never do real justice to this book. I tried my best, with the little I've got.

This is just absolutely Perfecto, Flo! :) Amazing!

This is absolutely stunning, Flo! I love the subtle hints of humour! :D

Parthiban wrote: "This is just absolutely Perfecto, Flo! :) Amazing!"

Thanks Parth! I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I must catch up with your reviews and updates. :) (I did take a peek at your profile; Cortázar, very nice, my friend!)


Anuradha wrote: "This is absolutely stunning, Flo! I love the subtle hints of humour! :D"

Thanks so much for stopping by, Anu! I appreciate your lovely words. (I'll stalk your page also, as soon as I can. :D)

Really liked this review, Florencia, because I know how difficult it is to capture and consolidate thoughts about this humongous book and how wonderfully you have done it. You have captured D in two perfect sentences:

He personifies an unwanted light that illuminates every dark nook of our minds. He makes us think about what we like to see in ourselves and what we choose to hide.

Himanshu wrote: "Really liked this review, Florencia, because I know how difficult it is to capture and consolidate thoughts about this humongous book and how wonderfully you have done it. You have captured D in tw..."

Thank you very much for your generous words, Himanshu! I always feel rather insecure when I have to talk about these kinds of books; this novel is one of my favorites, so I struggled quite a bit. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

Lada wrote: "Idealism is good in theory but what counts is a middle way the one that accepts and does not change. Aliisha suffers...ut in the end he is the victim...One who stays is the one who is aware of his ..."

A very thoughtful comment, Lada, thank you! An intense psychological journey has made Dostoyesvky my favorite author. This masterpiece leaves nobody indifferent.

Splendid review, Florencia!

It's not an easy task to put forth the characters of Dostoevsky in to words, for they are so crude and raw yet so complex, with deep ridden faiths/ beliefs and natural emotions/ instincts (which are in a ever conflict with each other), with complicated relationships which they carry along despite knowing the fact that they don't enjoy them, as Human beings usually are, but you did it marvelously; And your review also brought forward some of the deep hidden memories of the masterful writing of Dostoevsky, for he, was such a master of human psychology, who created such honest depictions, which are very artistic- and not really philosophical inquiries about men rather artistic bulid ups which are full of dogmas, guilt, sin, irrationality, intelligence, reason as human beings normally are, of humanity that I don't feel any other author close to him in that regard. With Crime and Punishment , this book remains one of my all time favorites.

Thanks for the amazing review !!

And not to be forgotten is the story within the story, "The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor." "The Truth shall make you free." But humankind cannot handle freedom, so it must be told what to do, controlled. This is the premise of much religion and the politics of the smug political class. We'll handle things for you. Stop asking questions.

Gaurav wrote: "Splendid review, Florencia!

It's not an easy task to put forth the characters of Dostoevsky in to words, for they are so crude and raw yet so complex, with deep ridden faiths/ beliefs and natural ..."

Thoughtful comments like these make me so happy. :P Thanks so much for your kind words. I completely agree with you, reading Dostoyevsky is always a delightfully demanding experience which is difficult to put into words. You have brilliantly described all the elements that make his writing one of a kind and that's precisely why he's a favorite of mine: his words contain timeless worlds. This book was a wonderful journey; I'm glad you also enjoyed it. I haven't been able to write something about C&P - I should now re-read it in order to do so - but yes, that's another life-changing book. Thank you for reading and commenting!

Brilliant and insightful review, Florencia. You talk about all of us, our families and our failings, our pains. And so much more. Dostoyevsky is a master, certainly. I read Brothers Karamazov about 30 years ago, you you make me anxious start reading it right now. Maybe tomorrow... Thanks for sharing it with us. L.

Dostoyevsky has the power of defeating oblivion. He personifies an unwanted light that illuminates every dark nook of our minds. He makes us think about what we like to see in ourselves and what we choose to hide.

We all have the sounds of a hungry solitude echoing in the dark depths of our beings; they often make us act by instinct, forgetting that we have been blessed—or doomed—with reason. And more important, they make us forget to feel love. And that, indeed, is a faithful depiction of what hell must feel like. A hell to which we will soon arrive by repeating to ourselves: everything is permitted.

This review was simply way too incredible. Florencia, I think that of all your reviews I have read so far, this one is my favourite. Thank you so much! :)

Michael wrote: "And not to be forgotten is the story within the story, "The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor." "The Truth shall make you free." But humankind cannot handle freedom, so it must be told what to do, con..."

Know, then, that now, precisely now, these people are more certain than ever before that they are completely free, and at the same time they themselves have brought us their freedom and obediently laid it at our feet. It is our doing, but is it what you wanted? This sort of freedom?

That quote haunts me.
The Grand Inquisitor is one of the most exquisite treasures of this book. Thank you for your comment!

Lizzy wrote: "Brilliant and insightful review, Florencia. You talk about all of us, our families and our failings, our pains. And so much more. Dostoyevsky is a master, certainly. I read Brothers Karamazov about..."

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Lizzy! I truly appreciate your lovely words. There are certain passages in this novel that I re-read from time to time; that's what great literary masterpieces inspire. :)

Vessey wrote: "Dostoyevsky has the power of defeating oblivion. He personifies an unwanted light that illuminates every dark nook of our minds. He makes us think about what we like to see in ourselves and what we..."

Ah, your comment prompted me to reread this review and make some corrections. :P Thanks so much, Vessey, for your beautiful and uplifting words. The passage you chose to quote is something I should always remember; they are my own words but sometimes different experiences in life might make me forget a little about such significant concepts. Thanks for your comment!

Micky wrote: ""Dostoyevsky has the power to defeat oblivion. He personifies an unwanted light that illuminates every dark nook of our minds. He makes us think about what we like to see in ourselves and what we c..."

Oh, I really want to read Musil, but the amount of pages of his "Man without qualities" is something impossible to tackle at this moment.
I agree, "a vibrant experience" that I haven't seen too often. Thanks so much for your comment!

What a beautiful, thoughtful review! It was such a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Netta wrote: "What a beautiful, thoughtful review! It was such a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts."

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Netta. Thank you for reading and for your kind words!