This passionate novel of ethics and morality, religion and philosophy was Dostoevsky’s final and best work.
After spending four years in a Siberian penal settlement, during which time he underwent a religious conversion, Dostoevsky developed a keen ability for deep character analysis. In The Brothers Karamazov, he explores human nature at its most loathsome and cruel but never flinches at what he finds.
The Brothers Karamazov tells the stirring tale of four brothers: the pleasure-seeking, impatient Dmitri; the brilliant and morose Ivan; the gentle, loving, and honest Alyosha; and the illegitimate Smerdyakov: shy, silent, and cruel. The four unite in the murder of one of literature’s most despicable characters—their father. While on the surface a story about patricide, this novel is, on a deeper level, a spiritual tale of the struggle between faith, doubt, reason, and free will.
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"An intense read which takes a lot of time and thought....a story which explores various emotions of the human mind in context of religion, society, conscience etc. Each character makes at interesting study and how they come together to form the story is spectacular. It is an open ended novel, for the time it tool to read I would've preferred all ends to have been tied up but then the author would've stamped is thoughts and morality on it...instead of us deciding on the issue and make our own opinions. Will probably take a few more reads to understand it thoroughly but not sure this life will afford me the time...a classic and a must read for English literature enthusiasts"
— Pavan (5 out of 5 stars)
“This novel will shatter those who are ready for it, ready for Dostoevsky’s courage to plunge into the abyss of human cruelty, and his wisdom at locating what grace there is. This is a novel of ultimate destruction and grace. It has in it the whole lived world, also heaven, also hell.”
— Rachel Kushner, New York Times bestselling author“[Dostoevsky is] at once the most literary and compulsively readable of novelists we continue to regard as great…The Brothers Karamazov stands as the culmination of his art—his last, longest, richest, and most capacious book.”
— Washington Post Book World“A dramatic and psychological representation of the moral consequences involved in the acceptance of rejection of the existence of God.”
— New York Times“The Brother Karamazov...is the strongest [novel] Dostoevsky composed, and is where his genius should be sought...he seems to me to have a deeper relationship with Shakespeare than criticism so far has revealed.”
— Harold Bloom“The Brothers Karamazov is the most magnificent novel ever written.”
— Sigmund Freud“Heartily recommended to any reader who wishes to come as close to Dostoevsky’s Russian as it is possible.”
— Joseph Frank, Princeton University" The Yul Brenner movie adaption was very close to capturing the power and glory of this book "
— Readers, 2/20/2014" Certainly the chef d'oeuvre of Dostoyevsky. The best part of the book would be the importance given to the personality of each character. Highly exhaustive to read, and definitely worthwhile. With the reader having close knowledge on all the characters, the premise gets a new beauty. Such a trait can hardly be seen in any other literary work. "
— Nikhil, 2/16/2014" It was lengthy but it was a classic. Good read. "
— Stephany, 2/5/2014" The Shelf: Accepted. Favored Author. "
— London, 1/31/2014" I heart Dostoyevsky and this was definitely a good book with all the story lines and plots. I have to say I prefer Crime & Punishment on the margin... "
— Taena, 1/29/2014" Everyone has to read this book!! Simply the best of Russian literature with chapters that knock your socks off on religion, etc... I love the characters, the history- the story... "
— Gayle, 1/23/2014" I have loved this book since 7th grade . I chose to read it and have loved the beautiful tragedy that is portrayed non too delicately in this classic. Dostoevsky has been a favorite of mine ever since "
— Sylvanna, 1/16/2014Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821–1881) was a Russian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer whose psychological penetration into the darkest recesses of the human heart had a profound and universal influence on the twentieth-century novel. He was born in Moscow, the son of a surgeon. Leaving the study of engineering for literature, he published Poor Folk in 1846. As a member of revolutionary circles in St. Petersburg, he was condemned to death in 1849. A last-minute reprieve sent him to Siberia for hard labor. Returning to St. Petersburg in 1859, he worked as a journalist and completed his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment, as well as other works, including The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.