Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book, something everyone should read.
Review: "The Brothers Karamazov" is a gut wrenching novel, filled with emotion and serious thoughts. The characters truly let one feel as if they are real. The author has captured that quality that makes the reader feel that they too have experienced these same thoughts. Many serious topics are discussed, always sure to make one think about religion, life and relationships. The wonderful contrast between the characters truly expresses different types of people and personalities. The book is an obvious "must read."
Rating:
Summary: Literature's Most Dynamic Novel
Review: When assessing the greatest written works, one has to include Dostoevsky's seminal novel at the top with only maybe the Bible being a greater work. Dostoevsky examines the one thing that the Bible expects us to have and to have unquestionably - faith. Why is faith important to us and why it causes so much strife, compassion, violence, love - the entire gamut of human emotion - is explored in a most unique manner. With a backdrop of provincial Czarist Russia and family squabbling, the novel sculptes such a complex tale of damnation to redemption all within the structure of a murder mystery (fratricide to be exact), one is drained completely - emotionally, mentally, and spiritually - when the novel is finally completed that one has to sit back in awe of Dostoevsky's marvelous writing style. Characterizations that jump off the page and speak to one's inner most self and chapters that examine the stark reality of the human condition are only the tip of the iceberg of this powerful story that forces one to reconsider what we've been taught about religious faith in the West. Very Highest Recommendation. Best sections - when the athesist brother has a conversation with Satan and when Jesus returns during the Spanish Inquisition and questions the use of his teachings in the current manner employed by the church
Rating:
Summary: Don't Be Fooled By The "Classic" label. A Rousing Adventure
Review: For every person who makes it a point to read one of the "classic" works of literature, there are ten who shy away from them because they all seem too dry and difficult to read. And this one is long. BUT EVERY PAGE IS WORTH IT. This book reads quickly as it is filled extensively with dialogue between fascinating characters. This book is about murder, mayhem, religion, family -- all the great themes. A grand scale WHODUNNIT you'll be drawn into the lives of the Karamazovs and begin to have your own feelings and opinions about them. Did he do it? You'll not only want to know but you'll have your own opinion to share as you read on. This book captures your attention and won't let go
Rating:
Summary: O.J. Simpson in Russia
Review: Hare you having trouble in your life? Falling behind in your bills? Problems communicating with the husband/wife/significant other? Murderous thoughts coursing through your brain? Then THIS is a novel for YOU. Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" is a classic novel with a modern twist. Just like the O.J. Simpson case, Dmitri Karamazov is accused of a crime he believes he did not commit. And, just like the Simpson trial, all of St. Petersburgh has an opinion on the matter. Find out what REALLY happened. If you want to become a first-class intellectual, just buy this tape and listen to it on your way to work. By the time you are done, you will be -- honest -- totally cool. God has touched man this time
Rating:
Summary: The book you must have read...
Review: Maybe noone will ever be able to assess the impact of this book on 20th century
literature. Every section in the field of arts has a few (so few!) masterpieces
that turned the world upside down. Dostoyevsky contributed at least two such masterpieces:
"Crime and Punishment" and "Karamazov". What a waste life must have be for someone who has
not read them. Suggesting to a friend to read Dostoyewsky means suggesting to him to seek
pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: A MARVEL IN RUSSIAN LITERATURE
Review: Dostoyevsky has reached climax in his last book written. THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV is psychological thriller; an indepth look into the love/hate relationship of individuals. Said by S. Freud to be "the most magnificent novel ever written."
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Classic
Review: Mark Twain once said that a classic is a book that no oneever reads. Unfortunately, the Brothers Karamozov may be aclassic of those proportions. Many are intimidated by the bulk of an 800-1000 page book when they see the oversized spine on the shelf and neglect to meet some of the most interesting characters to ever be captured on paper. The Brothers Karamozov is possibly one of the most over-analyzed Russian novels (with the possible exception of War and Peace) since it was written in the 19th century, and yet, at its heart it has some of the most interesting plots and characters in any language. Consider for a moment three brothers--one a pious, bright divinity student, one an intellectual, brazen capitalist, and one a dirty illegimate half wit. Now throw in an ogre of a father, and you can imagine what the dinner conversation might be like. Do yourself a favor and forget the symbolism, the types and anti-types, etc. and get to know these people. Also, forget that you were supposed to have read this book in college and just pick it up for yourself. Dostoevsky's mastery of mood and setting make its popularity among scholars understandable. Yet its serialized plot-line and suspense-filled action will more than satisfy any Stephen King reader or soap opera fanatic.
Rating: 
Summary: A review by a realist
Review: I'd first like to correct an error from a previous review. The translator is not Constance Garnett; it is one Andrew MacAndrew (tragic name, I know), and the prose is snappy and completely understandable. I was surprised by how informal the writing was at times, and I think the translator probably captured the style, although I can't be sure because I don't know Russian. As for the actual book, the material presented, the characters developed and the themes explored, this book is really good. But not perfect. It starts out wonderfully. Meeting the brothers, and that crazy father of theirs, is a joy. Hilarious, sometimes painfully awkward. The saga of Grueshenka and Katya is compelling, and the plight of our little boy Ilyusha is the best part of the book. Other parts of the novel are not so exciting. Like the entirity of Book VI, about the Elder Zosima. He tells us all about his life and his thoughts on the Bible, and how you should be nice to kids. If you are looking for a book to skip, this is it. Some of book XII is painful as well. We already know all about the theories of the murder, but we have to listen to both the prosecutor and defense attorney tell us about it from a psychological point of view. Important I know, because Dostoevsky was trying to say something about justice, about crime and punishment. But, all literary snobbery aside, it's boring. So chapters 6-13 in Book 12 can be optional if you're not interested in the nature of judgement. The book also relies on excessive coincidence and unlikely circumstances. It can get pretty outlandish. But overall, an enjoyable read. Good characterization, and the conflicts and love between the brothers is fascinating to read about. The theories early on in the book about the existence of God are thought-provoking. You'll love that Alyosha, whether you are a believer or non-believer.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty Will Save The World!!
Review: "Love to throw yourself on the earth and kiss it! Kiss the earth and love it with an unceasing, consuming love. Love all men, love everything! Water the earth with the tears of your joy and love those tears. Don't be ashamed of your ecstasy, prize it." Thus ended the paragraph that saved my life from Book VI of Constance Garnett's translation of The Brothers Karamazov. Read unintentionally in tandem with the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony it wreaked upon me a transvaluation of all values. This also happened to some of my students at Shimer College where I teach both the Constance Garnett and the Pevear/Volokhonsky translations. I urge my students who love the book to read BOTH translations. Constance Garnett's poetic grasp of Dostoyevsky's language (with occasionally antiquated twists of phrase) assumes the worldview of the nineteenth century, which is the century in which Dostoyevsky wrote. Her first translation appeared in about 1912. She lovingly captures the cadences of Father Zosima's voice. This wise elder's words are at the heart of this book. I have never understood why his chapter, "The Russian Monk" has not been excerpted and widely read as "The Grand Inquisitor" which precedes it. Poverty, injustice, cruelty, and the suffering of innocents can only be transformed by love--and beauty. This book, a murder mystery interwoven with four love-triangles, exploring dysfunctional families, the nature of God, erotic lacerations, forgiveness, the devil, and the Russian soul can give you the equipment you need to cope with life's agonies, to go through suffering and into joy. Hurrah for Karamazov!
Rating:
Summary: in consideration of Karamazov's opponents
Review: When considering the complexities of Karamazov, several factors must be taken into mind. On the surface the story could be justly written off as a mere 19th century melodrama; however, this is the story of period Russia's social discontent, a protostructure of 20th century existentialism, a psychological case study of the reflected fragmentary mind, post a traumatic neglectfull upbringing. Above all, though, this is THE BIG BOOK ABOUT SPIRITUALITY. It is about man's personal experience and struggle with an absentee God who may or may not exist,may or may not justly intervene, and may or may not even care. It questions the condition of reality, both then and now, here and hereafter: If the divine is nonexistant, then responsibiltity to divine law is nullified, and autonomy for better or for worse is all that remains. It is the singular
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