The Karamazov Brothers (Oxford World's Classics)

after reading crime and punishment i had a go at this. crime and punishment was hard work, but worth it. this, however is fantastic. far easier to read and far better also. its totally deserving of the term masterpiece. do not let the length put you off, probably the best book ive read, i know it sounds a bit cheesy, but it is like you are reading about something that has actually taken place.

Greates Novel Ever written? (1/2 people found this helpful)

Well Freud thinks so, and why value his opinion over the many others? well the reason is this, Dostoevsky looks deep, very deep into the human phsychy to undercover the thoughts we had all along but maybe didnt know we had! and who better a reviewer on this front than Freud.

Is it the greatest novel ever written? well I dont know, I have not read them all, and even if I had it would be purley opinion but read this review in the knowledge that your life will be of lesser colour if you do not pay the time to read Brothers Karamazov.

Yes there are parts that are slow and appear to deviate from the story but are these really deviations from the book? Dostoevsky uses the story, as all truly great authors have done, to portray his feelings and perceptions on society, referencing where neccecary and appropriate the great minds of our civilisaton.

The story is a carrier for his nderlying thoughts, ans this is where the "slow parts" really become the essence of the book.

Unlike Crime and Punishment this novel is surprisingly easy to read, gripping and for a 1000 pages quite a quick mover.

Like I say, I dont think my word wuld be good enough to convince you to read this book but that of Freud should be.....trust me, or Freud for that matter, this bok will enrich your mind, envoke thoughts you never realised you had, in summary its a mind-blowing epic, but thats just my opinion, please see for yourself, your eyes will truly be opened.

The Final Work of Russia's Greatest Novelist (1/1 people found this helpful)

This was Dostoyevsky's greatest work and in Freud's opinion (and my own) "the most magnificent novel ever written". It is a murder mystery, a study (as always in Dostoyevsky novels) in psychology, and a stimulating philosophical dialogue (books 5 & 6 forming the intellectual core). Above all it is the chronicle of a spiritual conversion.

This is a good translation with detailed footnotes explaining some of the more obscure historical points and preceded by a useful introduction. If I could change one thing it would be to replace the current cover with a watercolour entitled "The Grand Inquisitor" by Salvador Dali, which is a picture of a giraffe (who of course represents Jesus) being thrown out the window of a stone tower.

A classic story (1/1 people found this helpful)

THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV, which is one of Dostoyevsky's all time best, perhaps the best, adds to make him perhaps the best writer of all times. The author came up with so many great ideas and characters that are so real to life even in their complex emotions and rationales that we relate to the characters as if we are in their heads. In the end, not only do we have a great story, we are also left with a beautifully written work of political, psychological, sociological, ethical and psychological thought that is very true not only to Russia, but to other lands and peoples as well.
The greatest soul writer of all times and great contributor to human psychology successfully created a beautiful and amazing dynamism between the Karamazov brothers that has been the core of many stories after involving siblings. There is the unreliable father, the old Fyodor Karamazov whose life dominates his sons and whose death casts a huge shadow on their future.

Sensual Alyosha who is the youngest of the Karamazov brothers is the main character of the story, and he is noted for his strong faith in god and humanity, deep kindness and sense of sacrifice.
Ivan the atheist has a sharp mind and is the critical analyzer who seeks for meaning in everything. He is skeptical and dwells more on rationale in his dealing with people and issues. In the end, his intellectual mind misleads him and opens the doors to the nightmares in his life.
Dmitry is the sensitive brother who has a strong consideration for anything living, Smerdyakov their half-brother, is the cunning illegitimate son of old Fyodor Karamazov and works as Fyodor's servant.

The characters of the brothers and the events of their lives made for the complex and fascinating story of exceptional proportions, where faith, meekness, atheism, indifference and slavery to negative instincts and impulses are often in conflict. Faith and atheism or disbelief in God is taken to epic proportions in Ivan's encounter with the devil.

Dostoevsky stated that, "when there is no God, all is permitted.". That assertion is reinforced in books like UNION MOUJIK,THE IDIOT and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. The absence of God or lack of faith in man makes it possible for man to thrive in his worst animal instincts. Even when man starts with good intentions, the absence of faith usually derails him to the point where the good intentions are overshadowed by the negative effects of his actions. My conclusion is that this is a rare masterpiece.

Phenomenal (5/5 people found this helpful)

The Karamazov Brothers is, quite simply, Dostoyevsky's greatest work. The characters are superb creations, the settings stunning and the pace is breathtaking. The book itself is a discourse on religion, existentialism, innocence and rationalism, and comes to some absolutely mindblowing conclusions. The chapter entitled 'The Grand Inquisitor' is the pinnacle of Dostoyevsky's career, beautifully constructed, stunningly written and with fantastic ideas.
The Karamazov Brothers is a difficult work, and it helps if you've read some of his other works before starting, particularly the Idiot and the Posessed/the Devils. This new translation is one of the best of its kind, and well worth buying over other editions. A helpful introduction, chronology and character list make this a great buy.

The Karamazov Brothers (Oxford World's Classics)

F. M. Dostoevsky

Reader Reviews:

the best (0/0 people found this helpful)

Greates Novel Ever written? (1/2 people found this helpful)

The Final Work of Russia's Greatest Novelist (1/1 people found this helpful)

A classic story (1/1 people found this helpful)

Phenomenal (5/5 people found this helpful)

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