The Brothers Karamazov: Bicentennial Edition

Description

Winner of the Pen/Book-of-the-Month Club Translation Prize The award-winning translation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel of psychological realism. The Brothers Karamazov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, its social and spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point in Russian culture. This award-winning translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky remains true to the verbal inventiveness of Dostoevsky’s prose, preserving the multiple voices, the humor, and the surprising modernity of the original. It is an achievement worthy of Dostoevsky’s last and greatest novel. Review: Just Finished Reading It! - I just finished reading this AMAZING book! I heard someone on YouTube refer to this book as "a hard book to read." NOT AT ALL! It was a complete and absolute pleasure and joy to read! Fyodor Dostoevsky was a GENIUS writer! A GENIUS I tell ya! It is an 823-page book, so it took me about 12 sittings to complete it. But all the while, I kept asking myself, what is it about Dostoevsky's writing that keeps me wanting to read more and more? There was NEVER a dull moment. It was quite a journey. And by page 700, I felt myself getting attached to the characters. Before I purchased the book, I kept seeing it being mentioned on YouTube as a "classic." People spoke very highly of it, but when they told me what it was about, I realized that what they said it was about, didn't happen till midway through the book. Excellent character building nonetheless! It was certainly worth the time! The father was quite funny, in a dysfunctional sort of way. He kept being referred as a "buffoon." His actions, "buffooneries." If the Jerry Springer show had been in existence, then, in those times, they would have made excellent panel guests! I don't know if I should tell you what it was about, because there is so much out there about it already. I will just tell you what was happening, within me, as I read. I loved that the three brothers loved each other. That although two were "scoundrels," as each admitted, there was one angel among the three. But they all loved and respected one another. When I'd ask myself what kept me reading, so intrigued, I realized that it was the fact that human nature -- our human ego, to be more precise -- was captured very precisely in those pages. The way that our animal instincts often take the better of us. And we always end up getting ourselves into trouble. I enjoyed the love affair between the protagonists and the two women, and how that catalyzed so much drama. So much push and pull. I even loved the court proceedings in the last part of the book. I enjoyed how the two lawyers gave their closing arguments, so eloquently. It ended up being a whodunit. And I didn't see the results of the case coming. I originally thought that the book was 800 pages, but it continued on page 801 with the Epilogue. I didn't shed tears throughout the entire book, but the Epilogue certainly made my eyes sting and water. It was a beautiful ending. I loved this book so much that I bought a Spanish version for my father, who had already heard of this author. I don't know if he will read it, but I keep telling him that it was exceptional, amazing, a book to remember, always. To me, it was like a study on the human ego. And I learned so much about Russia! I saw the Country with whole different eyes. I even felt their patriotism for their Country! Their love for Mother Russia. I highly recommend this book! I miss the characters already! Review: Everyone should read this book! - This translation is peerless; Pevear and Volokhonsky make this amazing work of Russian literature easily accessible as usual, yet it retains complete faithfulness to the original language; if you compare a few chapters from other translations you'll immediately see the difference; I no longer read other translations of Russian literature; and I've reread many just to enjoy their translation. The book itself (The Brothers Karamazov) is full of deep symbolism, and a powerful deep dive into humanity, life, purpose, and meaning through this view into the lives of the Karamazov brothers. It masterfully shows, rather than merely telling, a large slice of the drama in their lives and family in a way that transcends the fictional format. It's one of those rare works that is truer to reality than reality itself, an ikon in every way, symbol and significance of the highest order - a true masterpiece. Take the time to read a physical copy; the audiobook and digital copies are good, but not the same, in my humble opinion, and you'll want this one in print. It's one of those few books that everyone should read at least once.