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A review by ostrava
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
5.0
(Ramble incoming)
I really don't like melodrama in Dostoevsky's novels. I didn't care for any of the romances in Karamazov, and you would be shocked to find out how much of the experience it occupies. People, I imagine, love it for book 5 and 11, but it felt a bit tortuous to reach the highlights when you're busy getting through more descriptions of love triangles that supposedly redeem us or... something? No wait, that's Anna Karenina, isn't it??
Everything "adds up" though. I'm not entirely convinced by Dostoevsky's philosophy but he shot his shot! The arguments are laid down superbly... but are they now? I'm an agnostic atheist, so of course I related to Ivan the most. But I felt as if Dostoevsky had not resolved any of his problems with faith, just established his opinion on the natural conclusions to such a development for an individual.
This feels like projection. Ivan's crisis of "faith" is mirrored in the author's lack of commitment to truly challenge his arguments in a way that stands to the level. Instead, it comes across as a fragile cope out, that frankly, didn't survive the 19th century and makes the work a bit dated as a result.
I choose absurdism today.
But for the majesty of its ideas, I'm willing to give it the rating it deserves, though I won't count myself among the leagues of fans of this book. I prefer Crime and Punishment...
Some additional non-review notes:
-In spite of my previous criticism of the melodrama, we really do get a well rounded end for all characters, including female ones. Grushenka not being able to fully complete her process of redemption and so on. Interesting...
-Lize character was probably my least favorite part of the whole story, forgot about her at the end. Would skip in reread.
-Oddly enough, there's a bunch of stuff of the novel I'm seeing reflected on the new season of Barry. I watched it at the same time I read the book and the comparisons where floating in my head for some reason. Great watch btw (and great read too!).
-Dostoevsky is not a good writer, if we focus exclusively on prose alone. It detracts from the experience and I'm surprised that there aren't more people, other than Nabokov, calling it out for what it is. But it's obviously still some of the most substantial character and plot work in recent history.
I really don't like melodrama in Dostoevsky's novels. I didn't care for any of the romances in Karamazov, and you would be shocked to find out how much of the experience it occupies. People, I imagine, love it for book 5 and 11, but it felt a bit tortuous to reach the highlights when you're busy getting through more descriptions of love triangles that supposedly redeem us or... something? No wait, that's Anna Karenina, isn't it??
Everything "adds up" though. I'm not entirely convinced by Dostoevsky's philosophy but he shot his shot! The arguments are laid down superbly... but are they now? I'm an agnostic atheist, so of course I related to Ivan the most. But I felt as if Dostoevsky had not resolved any of his problems with faith, just established his opinion on the natural conclusions to such a development for an individual.
This feels like projection. Ivan's crisis of "faith" is mirrored in the author's lack of commitment to truly challenge his arguments in a way that stands to the level. Instead, it comes across as a fragile cope out, that frankly, didn't survive the 19th century and makes the work a bit dated as a result.
I choose absurdism today.
But for the majesty of its ideas, I'm willing to give it the rating it deserves, though I won't count myself among the leagues of fans of this book. I prefer Crime and Punishment...
Some additional non-review notes:
-In spite of my previous criticism of the melodrama, we really do get a well rounded end for all characters, including female ones. Grushenka not being able to fully complete her process of redemption and so on. Interesting...
-Lize character was probably my least favorite part of the whole story, forgot about her at the end. Would skip in reread.
-Oddly enough, there's a bunch of stuff of the novel I'm seeing reflected on the new season of Barry. I watched it at the same time I read the book and the comparisons where floating in my head for some reason. Great watch btw (and great read too!).
-Dostoevsky is not a good writer, if we focus exclusively on prose alone. It detracts from the experience and I'm surprised that there aren't more people, other than Nabokov, calling it out for what it is. But it's obviously still some of the most substantial character and plot work in recent history.