I read The Brothers Karamazov to understand why Osho regarded it as one of the finest books written.
Nine hundred pages of intense intellectual and emotional prose took a month for me to finish. I really enjoyed parts of it, but also suffered through some. Finally, I’m glad to have finished it.
This book cannot be understood in just one reading. I will be revisiting it again - after recuperating from the intense psychological marathon it put me through.
A lot of thoughts and questions arose while reading the book. Listing a few:
1. Is freedom a gift or burden?
2. Why do we need religion, gods, rituals, etc?
3. What is God?
4. Reason and intellect: a trap?
5. Is morality only to establish social order?
6. Are we overrun by our prejudices? Our inability to see beyond biases? Is every human both a saint and a sinner?
Those are heavy topics and I’m amazed at Dostoevsky’s skill in arguing for both sides with equal rigor. Chapters such as Rebellion, The Grand Inquisitor, The Russian monk, The Devil are all some of the finest pieces of writing one would ever encounter - and it is all in one book, touching such psychological depth that leaves one awestruck. There are sections, if not masterpieces, very enjoyable - such as the defense lawyer laying out his side of the argument. Dostoevsky is not only a skilled writer, but also someone blessed with a fine understanding of the human mind.
Would I rate it as a masterpiece? Yes, without doubt. But a good 20% of it drags and can drive one mad, given its length. A few characters launch into unending monologues and tirades that run into pages. It more than makes up for that with its overall brilliance.
All said, buy a copy and let it stay on your shelf. Maybe one day you will read it - and I suspect you’ll be grateful you did.
Images credit: AI generated by me