This book was tortuous to read. It felt like 3 different long-winded stories sewn together. I understand that it was originally supposed to be split into 2 volumes and that Dostoevsky wrote it towards the end of his life. He had lost a son and had become a recluse.

I picture an old man sitting in a candlelit room day in and day out obsessively penning a story that has become an extension of himself. I respect it but I found the long philosophical passages unnecessary and infuriating. I prefer Crime and Punishment for its concise and captivating storytelling. Perhaps one day I'll revisit this book. Maybe I am too young to appreciate its intricacies.

A very interesting mix between litterature and philosophy.

An interesting analysis of the human conscience and the varying degrees of moral flexibility, and ethics.

A concise analysis to Dostoevski’s masterpiece, William J. Leatherbarrow shows us how the secondary characters in the novel are the amplified consequences and damnation of the protagonists, as well as demonstrates where the gospel and biblical references are and their reason for being there.
Along with insights from the writer’s time and he’s receptiveness as well as his aspirations, accompanied with further philosophical explanations, this book offers a valuable analysis that further enhances the novel.

Wow. I am speechless. This is a murder mystery, a romance (well, barely), a psychological thrilled, with a lot of religious commentary thrown in. It is amazing!!

I do prefer The Idiot to this, but there is little between them. Both are amazing books, and prove that Dostoevsky is one of the greatest writers of our time.

Dostoyevsky portrays Polish people in a negative light. Overall it was okay if you like the Russian literature that is full of drama.

So freaking good

As good, but different, on the second read. I had remembered the Grand Inquisitor's speech as revelatory the first time around (in my 20s), and the rest of the novel more or less supporting material. Thirty years later I am interested more in the particulars of Zosima and Alyosha's faith, and my reaction to them. Novel as Rorschach, I guess.

this is a big, wandering, mess of a book. and so totally worth the effort. I took me a while to finally finish but this was probably my favorite Dostoyevsky novel.

Listen to Herbert Dreyfus's lectures on the book available from Berkeley via iTunes. Turns out Ivan is a sado-masochist.

has been on my shelf for awhile now...