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Abby's Reviews > The Brothers Karamazov
The Brothers Karamazov
by
by
“You wanted to regenerate another man within yourself by means of suffering; in my opinion, if only you will remember that other man all your life and wherever you may flee to- that will be enough for you.”
Dostoyevsky successfully captivates a narrative of futility and resentment, while exploring the notion with beauty.
To say a book with such gritty topics is bizarrely beautiful feels ironic, but the craft of this novel really generates a sense of emotion that I did not anticipate. From the depiction of religious and societal questioning, to the changeability of romantic and familial relationships- The Brothers Karamazov is a Journey, a long journey, but filled with the type of moral profundity that almost makes you forget that pages are passing by.
Each character serves a purpose, each brother is a personality worth exploring, every chapter presents new questions, new answers. The ending, a minefield of conflicting emotion.
This book is a long read, but entirely worth it.
Dostoyevsky successfully captivates a narrative of futility and resentment, while exploring the notion with beauty.
To say a book with such gritty topics is bizarrely beautiful feels ironic, but the craft of this novel really generates a sense of emotion that I did not anticipate. From the depiction of religious and societal questioning, to the changeability of romantic and familial relationships- The Brothers Karamazov is a Journey, a long journey, but filled with the type of moral profundity that almost makes you forget that pages are passing by.
Each character serves a purpose, each brother is a personality worth exploring, every chapter presents new questions, new answers. The ending, a minefield of conflicting emotion.
This book is a long read, but entirely worth it.
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Reading Progress
April 6, 2023
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 6, 2023
– Shelved
May 20, 2023
–
Started Reading
May 21, 2023
–
1.88%
"“In the majority of instances human beings- even the evil doers among them, are far more naive and straightforward than we suppose. And that includes ourselves.”
I already feel like I’m in for a long, but captivating journey. I think I adore Dostoyevsky’s writing."
page
19
I already feel like I’m in for a long, but captivating journey. I think I adore Dostoyevsky’s writing."
May 22, 2023
–
3.75%
"“But really, in the end it’ll all be the same, won’t it? Whether there’s a ceiling or whether there isn’t? Yes that’s the nub of the whole damned question!”
I’m loving how each of the characters are explored, really setting up the narrative- and of course, feeling enlightened by the conversation of Hell having a ceiling or not."
page
38
I’m loving how each of the characters are explored, really setting up the narrative- and of course, feeling enlightened by the conversation of Hell having a ceiling or not."
May 22, 2023
–
4.94%
"Slightly overwhelmed by the amount of character context, but also loving the depth.
Dostoyevsky can successfully get you questioning life and morality within 50 pages."
page
50
Dostoyevsky can successfully get you questioning life and morality within 50 pages."
May 23, 2023
–
6.42%
"Am I 100% confident that I know what’s going on? Probably not. Am I loving it anyway because the writing is so compelling? Absolutely.
(I also have no time to read lately, I’m squeezing in pages currently at 3am)"
page
65
(I also have no time to read lately, I’m squeezing in pages currently at 3am)"
May 24, 2023
–
9.08%
"Seeing how Dostoyevsky takes on religious and social discourse and questioning is so interesting- especially when explored in narrative form.
(Another 3am update and read, I need my life to stop being hectic so I can read more)"
page
92
(Another 3am update and read, I need my life to stop being hectic so I can read more)"
May 25, 2023
–
10.17%
"“A brazen brow and a Karamazov conscience.”
Now that I’m more accustomed to the names, the narrative feels more natural for me to read. Knowing what I know of the synopsis for this, this past chapter also felt steeped in foreshadowing.
(Breaking into 100 pages finally!)"
page
103
Now that I’m more accustomed to the names, the narrative feels more natural for me to read. Knowing what I know of the synopsis for this, this past chapter also felt steeped in foreshadowing.
(Breaking into 100 pages finally!)"
May 25, 2023
–
12.24%
"Dostoevsky’s depiction of emotions is always such a heightened and intriguing display. The sense of tension and secretiveness feels like it’s building but I have no idea where, in this very long book, it’s going to peak."
page
124
May 26, 2023
–
14.31%
"“I go and know not whether I have landed in foulness and ignominy or in light and joy. I mean, that’s where the trouble lies, for all the world is an enigma!”
I adore the philosophy and emotional exploration in this book already."
page
145
I adore the philosophy and emotional exploration in this book already."
May 27, 2023
–
16.78%
"“Oh, if you were the kind of man I am, you’d know what I mean. I loved depravity, I loved the shame of depravity. I loved cruelty: after all, I’m a bedbug,am I not, an evil insect? In a word- a Karamazov!”
I love getting to know these characters."
page
170
I love getting to know these characters."
May 28, 2023
–
20.04%
"“God hasn’t given us enough time, having allowed a mere twenty-four hours to each day, making it impossible for us to even get enough sleep, never mind repent!”
It’s interesting seeing religion and the values of a Russian society used to explore the character personality rather than just surface description."
page
203
It’s interesting seeing religion and the values of a Russian society used to explore the character personality rather than just surface description."
May 28, 2023
–
21.22%
"“From Sin and the Devil there is no hiding place..”
Finally on part 2 of 4, this book is definitely going to take me forever to finish but I’m enjoying the journey through moral questioning and religious description so far!"
page
215
Finally on part 2 of 4, this book is definitely going to take me forever to finish but I’m enjoying the journey through moral questioning and religious description so far!"
May 29, 2023
–
25.37%
"“In all this muddle one might completely lose one’s way, but Alyosha’s heart could not tolerate the unknown, as the character of his love was forever active.”
There are so many chaotic emotions going on and I adore it."
page
257
There are so many chaotic emotions going on and I adore it."
May 30, 2023
–
27.44%
"“How could the rich do that? All their lives they remain ignorant of such profundity..”
I always love Dostoyevsky’s representation of a Russian society, of class and wealth. Combining it with the emotions of the narrative and the catalyst of the environment."
page
278
I always love Dostoyevsky’s representation of a Russian society, of class and wealth. Combining it with the emotions of the narrative and the catalyst of the environment."
May 31, 2023
–
30.5%
"“Life wants to be lived, and I live it, even though it goes against logic.”
The way this book is really taking me through these relationships between the brothers is somehow making me emotional. The feelings of distance, closeness, conflicting."
page
309
The way this book is really taking me through these relationships between the brothers is somehow making me emotional. The feelings of distance, closeness, conflicting."
June 1, 2023
–
34.06%
"“I think if the devil doesn’t exist and, consequently, man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness.”
This book goes so deep morally and philosophically, it’s such a compelling way of exploring the narrative, relationships with each other and religion, the moral expectations of a society.."
page
345
This book goes so deep morally and philosophically, it’s such a compelling way of exploring the narrative, relationships with each other and religion, the moral expectations of a society.."
June 1, 2023
–
36.72%
"I’m now genuinely at the point of struggling to put this book down, I’m invested in the narrative as well as the beautiful writing."
page
372
June 2, 2023
–
39.98%
"“Why count the days, when one is enough for man to know all of happiness?”
This book has become a rollercoaster of emotions and profound thoughts. I love it for that exact reason."
page
405
This book has become a rollercoaster of emotions and profound thoughts. I love it for that exact reason."
June 3, 2023
–
41.76%
"“The world has proclaimed freedom, particularly of late, and yet what do we see in this freedom of theirs: nothing but servitude and suicide!”
Onto part 3 of 4."
page
423
Onto part 3 of 4."
June 3, 2023
–
43.14%
"“You want to drive out the unclean one, but you may very well be serving him yourself.”
That was a surprisingly grotesque chapter, but I love the way that it’s still linked to philosophy and deeper meaning."
page
437
That was a surprisingly grotesque chapter, but I love the way that it’s still linked to philosophy and deeper meaning."
June 4, 2023
–
45.9%
"“The great grief of his soul was swallowing all the sensations that might have been endangered within his heart, and had he been able in that moment to be fully aware of what was taking place, he himself would have realised that he was now by the strongest armour protected against any kind of seduction or temptation.”"
page
465
June 5, 2023
–
47.58%
"“The Earth’s silence seemed to fuse with that of the heavens, the Earth’s mystery came into contact with that of the stars…”
The description and development of character and emotion in this book is beautiful."
page
482
The description and development of character and emotion in this book is beautiful."
June 6, 2023
–
49.75%
"“A deep anguish, like a heavy mist, enshrouded his soul.”
I’ve loved the build up of tension and emotion in this book, the reoccurring use of the soul. Slowly making my way through this deep experience."
page
504
I’ve loved the build up of tension and emotion in this book, the reoccurring use of the soul. Slowly making my way through this deep experience."
June 7, 2023
–
52.12%
"“My fear is that his face will suddenly grow hateful to me at that very moment. I hate his Adam’s apple, his nose, his eyes, his shameless snigger. I experience a personal loathing. That is what I fear, and then I shall not be able to control myself..”"
page
528
June 8, 2023
–
53.01%
"“I shall say only one thing: his heart did not argue even for a moment.”
I’m loving this book, which is sad because I’m making such slow progress with it since I have little time to dedicate to it lately. Hopefully I’ll get back on track soon 🫶🏻"
page
537
I’m loving this book, which is sad because I’m making such slow progress with it since I have little time to dedicate to it lately. Hopefully I’ll get back on track soon 🫶🏻"
June 9, 2023
–
54.79%
"“He had almost lost his breath; many, many were the things he wanted to say, but all that came out were strange exclamations.”
I love the descriptive language in this book and how it plays off the personality of the character. I wish I had more time to read, I’d be getting through this faster too"
page
555
I love the descriptive language in this book and how it plays off the personality of the character. I wish I had more time to read, I’d be getting through this faster too"
June 10, 2023
–
59.82%
"“Mitya, Mitya, how could I ever think, fool that I was, that I loved another after you? Do you forgive me, Mitya? Do you forgive me, or not? Do you love me? Do you love me?”
I love how, while sinister and profound, the emotions of Dmitry are still influenced by love and intimacy. Not so far gone as to not love anymore."
page
606
I love how, while sinister and profound, the emotions of Dmitry are still influenced by love and intimacy. Not so far gone as to not love anymore."
June 11, 2023
–
61.9%
"“Whether someone had shed tears for me, or whether it was my mother who had beseeched God for me, or whether some radiant spirit had kissed me in that moment- I do not know, but the Devil was vanquished.”
I’m loving this portion of the book, the pace, the mentality of Mitya, the consistent use of religious themes .."
page
627
I’m loving this portion of the book, the pace, the mentality of Mitya, the consistent use of religious themes .."
June 12, 2023
–
64.26%
"“Oh gentlemen, I repeat to you with the blood of my heart: much have I learned in this night! I have learned that not only is it impossible to live as a scoundrel, it is impossible to die a scoundrel too.. No, Gentlemen, one must die honourably!..”
Mitya’s mentality is such a juxtaposition to his actions."
page
651
Mitya’s mentality is such a juxtaposition to his actions."
June 13, 2023
–
67.92%
"“Gentlemen, we are all of us cruel, we are all of us monsters of cruelty, we all of us drive men, mothers and babes at the breast to tears, but of us all- so let it be decided now- of us all I am the most villainous reptile!”
I really love the instability to Mitya’s character, where Ivan is stoic and Alexei is hopeful, Dmitri is erratic."
page
688
I really love the instability to Mitya’s character, where Ivan is stoic and Alexei is hopeful, Dmitri is erratic."
June 13, 2023
–
69.79%
"Finally into part 4 of the book.
Also happy to be back with Alyosha for this chapter so far- his character’s somewhat innocence in the midst of chaos is a refreshing switch."
page
707
Also happy to be back with Alyosha for this chapter so far- his character’s somewhat innocence in the midst of chaos is a refreshing switch."
June 14, 2023
–
72.16%
"“I sometimes imagine God only knows what, that everyone is laughing at me, the entire world, and at such moments, at such moments, I am quite simply ready to annihilate the entire order of things.”
There are so many quotes in this book that I adore so far. The use of religion and emotion, it really is the force behind this story."
page
731
There are so many quotes in this book that I adore so far. The use of religion and emotion, it really is the force behind this story."
June 15, 2023
–
73.94%
"“I shall always love you dreadfully for having so quickly allowed me not to love you.”
How can a book about such bleak and dark circumstances contain some of the most beautifully profound perspectives of love?"
page
749
How can a book about such bleak and dark circumstances contain some of the most beautifully profound perspectives of love?"
June 16, 2023
–
76.11%
"“The Karamazovs are not scoundrels, but philosophers, because all real Russian people are philosophers, but you, though you’ve done some studying are not a philosopher, you are a shit.”
This book really has it all, religious questioning, profound depictions of family and romantic love.. and humour"
page
771
This book really has it all, religious questioning, profound depictions of family and romantic love.. and humour"
June 17, 2023
–
78.28%
"“Why this was he was reluctant to analyse at the time, even feeling a repulsion at digging about in this feelings.”
The way this book articulates tension and realisation in these last few chapters has been so interesting, playing on the relationships of the brothers to explore suspicion."
page
793
The way this book articulates tension and realisation in these last few chapters has been so interesting, playing on the relationships of the brothers to explore suspicion."
June 18, 2023
–
80.06%
"“Oh I have forgotten to remember her,” Smerdyakov said with a contemptuous smile, and again suddenly, turning his face back towards Ivan, fixed him with a frenziedly hateful stare, the same stare he had given him at his last visit a month before.”
Each character in this book is just so well explored."
page
811
Each character in this book is just so well explored."
June 19, 2023
–
82.03%
"“You are a falsehood, you are my illness, you are a ghost. Only I do not know how to destroy you, and perceive that for a certain time I must suffer you. You are a hallucination I am having. You are the embodiment of myself, but only one side of me..of my thoughts and emotions.”
This entire chapter was probably my absolute favourite so far. Such a powerful look into the psyche."
page
831
This entire chapter was probably my absolute favourite so far. Such a powerful look into the psyche."
June 20, 2023
–
83.51%
"Excited to see how this develops, I genuinely can’t predict the ending.
I’ve also found myself feeling sympathy for Mitya’s character that I didn’t initially have, the same for Ivan. The character exploration of this book really has been captivating."
page
846
I’ve also found myself feeling sympathy for Mitya’s character that I didn’t initially have, the same for Ivan. The character exploration of this book really has been captivating."
June 21, 2023
–
85.0%
"The fact that even at this stage of the book I can’t predict the ending makes it so much more intriguing.
I’m loving the journey of the trial, and I genuinely feel sympathy for Mitya’s character, his erratic characterisation impacting his ability to reason."
page
861
I’m loving the journey of the trial, and I genuinely feel sympathy for Mitya’s character, his erratic characterisation impacting his ability to reason."
June 22, 2023
–
87.27%
"“Mitya had wounded her by his unfaithfulness to the depths of her soul, and her soul did not forgive.”
The chaos of the trial is both intense, and hilarious. Mitya’s trail of relationships is proving a significant factor in his fate.
(Yes I’m still reading this book, I’m aware it’s taking me forever)"
page
884
The chaos of the trial is both intense, and hilarious. Mitya’s trail of relationships is proving a significant factor in his fate.
(Yes I’m still reading this book, I’m aware it’s taking me forever)"
June 23, 2023
–
88.94%
"“Are they found to be in our cynicism, In the premature exhaustion of the mind and imagination of our society as yet so young, but grown untimely decrepit?”
This prosecutor is very profoundly philosophical."
page
901
This prosecutor is very profoundly philosophical."
June 24, 2023
–
92.5%
"“Gentlemen of the jury, there are moments when, in the course of our duties, we ourselves become almost afraid in the face of man, afraid also for man!”
This book has managed to make the decryption of a legal trial interesting and chaotic.
(I’m also finally getting closer to the end and still have no idea what to predict for it)"
page
937
This book has managed to make the decryption of a legal trial interesting and chaotic.
(I’m also finally getting closer to the end and still have no idea what to predict for it)"
June 25, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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message 1:
by
Fernando
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Jun 26, 2023 02:12AM
Yeah, talk about making every character count. It's also kinda crazy how the large bulk of this book's length happens in just a handful of days!
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@Fernando It is! The fact that the actual narrative is quite fast paced, but the in depth writing slows it all down, an interesting technique!
Abby wrote: "@Fernando It is! The fact that the actual narrative is quite fast paced, but the in depth writing slows it all down, an interesting technique!"Exactly!
I have a long (I think it's like 10 hours, or so) online course about this book, in case you're interested ;)
Succinct summary, thanks so much :)
Wonderful review, glad you loved this one!
No surprise Freud found it to be the most magnificent novel
