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The Brothers Karamazov

a Novel in Four Parts With Epilogue
jackseney
Jan 03, 2016
Yes, a classic, a work of genius, etc., etc. but also overlong and very heavily padded (Dostoyevsky, like Dickens and other "greats," wrote for serialization and for money, making lengthy exposition, dramatic cliffhangers, overwrought scenes, etc. necessary for business). You know you're in trouble when entire long segments have titles like "The Preliminary Investigation." But those are the drawbacks. The timeless pluses that transcend Dostoyevsky himself are in his exploration of the mind, heart and soul of man as represented by the three brothers. There is also his fine sardonic humor (which I, at least, am convinced I see in everything he wrote). And then there is this novel's glorious conclusion - that rare example of an extreme sentimentality that works. Not so much read as skimmed through by generations worldwide, be sure to look for the best parts of this book while you do.