OurColony.net

Ackward translation

Customer Rating:
I read this moving story while in the service many, many years ago and quickly became a fan of Dostoevsky. What is there to say about the tale that could lead to exaggeration? It taps inner man - his foibles and strengths, and it says much about the lack of choice afforded us when born into the world so far as place, parentage, and care are concerned. If you're looking for insight into what it is to be a human being, start here - but not with this translation.

With the exigencies of life as they are, aside my ever failing attempts to stay current in my reading, I had neglected this old favorite. However, when I saw and became enmeshed in the hullabaloo about this Pevear translation, I thought I would revisit an old friend and perhaps enjoy an enhancement of the experience. But disappointment followed - I found myself wondering if the years had taken away my old ability to immerse myself in such a penetrating story, as I found myself confused and annoyed by sentences and scenes that failed to create a clear image.

Last week I obtained a new "Modern Library" Constance Garnett translation, and the old magic was reassuringly there again. Flowing sentences that bring the story to life replaced the Pevear sacrifice of beauty and clarity for faithfulness to the Russian at any cost.

If your interest in reading the novel is directed at how English juxtaposes with Russian, perhaps this Pevear translation will suit you and best achieve your ends. If, however, you are interested in experiencing a profound story that teaches much about the human condition, purchase the Constance Garnett version, sit back, and be captivated by a poignantly enlightening creation.

I occupy myself with this mystery because I want to be a man

Customer Rating:
Anyone interested in the central question facing mankind will find `The Brothers Karamazov' an essential guide. That question--on man's capacity for responsibility and the proper role of the state and religion--is posed throughout the story in dialogue and events, and is framed neatly in a 20-page section where Ivan presents a poem titled `The Grand Inquisitor' to his brother Alyosha. The chapter that bears that title (Book V, Chapter V) is a masterpiece in itself and should be studied for its narrative technique alone. But the ideas it presents are so immense, so mind-blowing and inspirational, that literary criticism is not sufficient.

Indeed, `The Brothers Karamazov' should not be classed merely as a novel--it is a book of philosophy, theology, and sociology as well that ranks with the greatest documents in those disciplines. There is a fictitious plot, of course, and the characters in the story are some of the most unique in all of literature, so it is rightly praised as a novel. But the modern reader looking for a plot of twists and romantic intrigues is bound to disappointment. Dostoevsky does not stir up drama through the placement of unexpected developments or improbable character traits. Instead, he relies on the inherent needs and wants of all men to make vivid his story.

The amount of dialogue may be shocking (tedious) to one accustomed to the modern show-don't-tell policy in storytelling. Today, novelists and screenwriters let a character's actions speak for them--it is quicker and provides a much more convincing impression. It also limits the kind of ideas that are posed in the story to simple, prosaic ones like `she likes him' or `he wants to defeat him.' By contrast, Dostoevsky allows the characters to speak for themselves, which creates a much longer and subtler exposition, but also frees the ideas to be vast and monumental.

What is the fundamental nature of socialism? What are the uses of the church in finding purpose? In finding salvation? Why is there suffering? What is the meaning of death? Read the brothers' dialogues and contemplate.

Dostoevsky's own philosophy is seen in the protagonist, Alyosha. This is so despite the fact that the author ably covers every perspective on every topic presented in the book, and one can hardly find a positive assertion throughout. If there is one, it rests in the overall effect of the words and actions, a concept Dostoevsky articulated in a personal correspondence--it is that "Man is a mystery; if you spend your entire life trying to puzzle it out, then do not say that you have wasted your time."

A word about the translations: The title of Book IV has been translated differently in every version I have seen (other chapter titles are also inconsistent, but Book IV is seemingly the most difficult to agree on). The original Russian is `Nadryvy,' which literally translates to `Ruptures,' though no translations I have seen use `Ruptures.' The word is used throughout the book to convey the motif of `pressures' or `strained conditions about to break.' The various options I have seen for this title are `Lacerations' (Garnett), `Strains' (Pevear & Volkhonsky), `Torment' (MacAndrew), `Crises' (Avsey), and `Crack-Ups' (McDuff). Given this is a central theme, the potential reader might look into which translation he prefers before buying. Apropos, the Princess Alexandra Kropotkin print version bears the Garnett translation, as does the Frederick Davidson audio recording.

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky

Customer Rating:
Yeah you've got to read Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov

Yes I know its long (indeed, it was intended to be the first book of a trilogy) and the names can be hard (Smerdyakov, Kolya Krossotkin) and characters can have more than one name (Dmitri, Mitya)

But just stick with me here. The books incredibly moving. You finish reading it, it knocks you over like a pile of bricks. POW!

I've read the book twice. Its a long one, make no mistake. HUGE. Books like this can be used as doorstops, stop up the winter draft


Not to give anything away, but the book is the story of a family. The father is a rather nasty piece of work, and you won't care what happens to him. "Why is such a man alive?" one of the character asks early on, and noone really cares for him except Alexey (more often called Alyosha)

Not to give away the plot, but there are sons of the lecher and all of them are vividly drawn. You have the young novice Alyosha, brother to Ivan (they share the same mother). You have the illegitimate son, and the intellectual. To write about the relationship between those two would be a sin, suffice it to say that terrible thoughts will find someone to act upon (Raskolnikov in Crime & Punishment is similar - fixated on an idea)

I was saying the book was powerful. This is so. So many high points! In his letters Dostoyevsky wrote of the book having its climax - in 2 different points!

He was referring to the Zossima narrative and the Pro & Contra chapters, but its all strong

Pro & Contra is probably the most famous section of the novel: Ivan and his Alyosha relax with one another over a meal, and talk. And argue (although Alyosha for the most part listens)

To tell more would be unfair, Alyosha loves his brother Ivan, but has to call what his brother suggests Rebellion, and the relation between the 2 will become even more sundered

You get vivid characters (even the minor characters, like the dreamer and the nihilist Rakitin are well drawn). A powerful plot (a character is murdered, and thats all I'll say about that). You get deep intense conversations about God and the devil (and Ivan returning his "ticket" as a matter of course, since its the suffering of children he cannot abide)

So powerful its beyond words. And this was just going to be the first of a TRILOGY. Amazing

A Literary Masterpiece

Customer Rating:
Every now and then I read a book that I believe should be on every Christian thinker's bookshelf. Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov is one such book. It is not an exaggeration to say that The Brothers Karamazov might possibly be one of the greatest novels of all time.

Warning: Plot spoilers follow...

Dostoevsky's description of the tragic Karamazov brothers and the murder of their father provokes questions about God's sovereignty, the place of suffering in our world, human depravity, and redemption through pain.

I have decided not to give a description of this book's storyline. There are many places where one can find the story. I will say that there are sections of this book where the theological questions are so profound and well-treated that the reader feels he must read them several times to fully feel their force.

The Brothers Karamazov is a long book (almost 800 pages). Pevear and Volokhonsky's translation is, undoubtedly, the easiest to read in English, but even the good translation cannot overcome some of the slow-moving moments where the novel labors in details. Many Karamazov fans (and I am one of them) love the extra details, as the information helps to better form each of the unforgettable characters.

Who, after reading this book, can forget Fyodor Karamazov, the wicked and sensual father? Or Ivan, the cold rationalist son who has abandoned his belief in God? Or Dmitri, the well-intentioned son who is held captive to his own base desires? And of course, Alyosha, the good son who trusts in God but is powerless to stop the murder of his father? And these are just the Karamazovs. Dostoevsky's descriptions of Katerina, Grushenka, Father Zosima and Smerdyakov are just as compelling.

The Brothers Karamazov is not for the faint of heart. It is, at times, difficult to read. At other times, its story is captivating. And, as always in Dostoevsky's works, the depth of thought behind the philosophical questioning is what makes the book stand out. If you have time to read and you love classic literature, buy the book and read it all. If you don't have time, but would like a taste, I suggest you at least read "The Grand Inquisitor" chapter.

Bothers Karamazov

Customer Rating:
Great book --compelling and one of Dostoyevsky's best. The conversation between Christ and the Grand Inquisitor is a passage for all human kind.