Crime and Punishment or The Brothers Karamazov?

[Dr. Hill]

I'm coming up on the hallowed "Grand Inquisitor" chapter of The Brothers Karamazov, and am noticing its beauty as a novel. I believe that it is more refined than Crime and Punishment, and perhaps better written, but I still place Crime and Punishment above it, due to Raskolnikov's character. What do you guys think?

[johann cruyff]

Generally, everyone I know tend to agree that The Brothers Karamazov is Dostoevsky's crowning literary achievement. I share their opinion, obviously, although I must admit it's been some time since I last read C&P. I probably should read it again and possibly reshape my opinion. But until then, TBK remains my personal favourite.

[Gladys]

'The Brothers Karamazov' and a sunny 'The Idiot' are head and shoulders above the grim 'Crime and Punishment'.

Isn't the characterisation of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov superb?

[Dr. Hill]

I think I like Smerdyakov the best, actually. Even though he's a minor character.

[bazarov]

Ivan, Fyodor and Smerdyakov are more interesting then ''only'' Raskolnikov. Though Crime and Punishment has unique and the best structure in literature, I like Brothers Karamazov more; it's...the best!

[Dr. Hill]

I just love Raskolnikov. He always reminds me of myself in the worst situations.

[Bumbeli]

I'd recommend Brothers Karamazov over Crime and Punishment any second. It's such a superb piece of literature and it contains "Grand Inquisitor".

[The Beard]

I was wandering which novel to turn to after Crime & Punishment... which I thought was a brilliant read being my first experience of Dostoyevsky. Seems like The Brothers Karamazov is the way to go? :)

I was thinking about reading Notes from the Underground next to get a better understanding of his life; but after reading the comments from you fine people, TBK is on the way :thumbs_up

[Bumbeli]

It's going to change you life, trust me

[Gladys]

I was wandering which novel to turn to after Crime & Punishment 'The Idiot' is also a masterpiece.

[Dori]

I'm only one-fifth of the way through TBK, and I think it will leave a much greater impression on my than C&P did. In other words, so far the book is AMAZING.

The scary thing is I couldn't help but to think how similar my latest ex-girlfriend is to Dmitri...imagine that.

[bazarov]

I was thinking about reading Notes from the Underground next to get a better understanding of his life; but after reading the comments from you fine people, TBK is on the way :thumbs_up

Notes from the Underground won't help too much, but Memoirs from Death Home will.

[Mathor]

The Brothers Karamazov introduces some of Dostoevsky's most brilliant characters in my opinion, and some of the most brilliant characters I've ever come across in any piece of literature honestly. They're so well-defined. When I first read it, I remember liking how much time was put into introducing the character Gregory, though as you read on you find his part in the story is even more-so minor than amazing characters like Smerdyakov and even more elaborate ones like Ivan, Alyosha, and the infamous Fyodor (who brings most of the humor to the story in my opinion)

[blazeofglory]

I really can not distinguish between the two, both are equally appealing, scintillating and enrapturing.

[virginiawang]

I really wish to know why any one should like Smerdyakov, a guy like that.

[Tsuyoiko]

I chose C&P, but I really should read it again with the knowledge I now have of his other books.

However, I think The Idiot is his masterpiece.

[PoeticPassions]

I think that it is difficult to say which one is better or worse-- they both have their merits.. they are both spectacular.

However, The Brothers Karamazov is one of my favorite novels of all time, so I voted for it.

[virginiawang]

I read over and over again that part of the novel in which Grushenka had gone secretly with her first lover and left Dimitri almost on the verge of derangement. There is a vivid description of all the things Dimitri did in his anguish that really touched me. However Crime and punishment was also great in that it haunted my mind since I started to read, until I finished the book.

[Rodya]

I just read Crime and Punishment and TBK back to back. Crime and Punishment haunted me, and even gave me a nightmare, wich has NEVER happened from reading a book. Raskolnikov was so alive to me. I recall passionate reading sessions in bed, staying up far too late, and finally closing the book and being unable to sleep.

That being said, The Brothers Karamazov is a masterpiece in the true sense of the word. The characters... my god. I feel like I know Mitya, and have even come to love Alyosha. The way he weaves the story of the brothers, their twisted but somehow lovable father and his "den of iniquity" is mesmerizing.

So much can be said for either book, but I would have to go with Karamazov. The story of the sensualists is one that will stand for all eternity as the epitome of storytelling... ahhh but so will Crime and Punishment!

[bazarov]

I just read Crime and Punishment and TBK back to back. Crime and Punishment haunted me, and even gave me a nightmare, wich has NEVER happened from reading a book. Raskolnikov was so alive to me. I recall passionate reading sessions in bed, staying up far too late, and finally closing the book and being unable to sleep.



You were not afraid of Rodya; you were unable to understand why did you put sleep in front of such a novel :)

[Dinkleberry2010]

I think both are on an even par; that is, both are great. I really cannot say that one is better than the other, although Crime And Punishment is more subjective and intense; The Brothers Karamazov is more objective.

[gruntingslime]

I loved Smerdyakov as well, I wish there was more of him. I also really liked Ippolit from The Idiot as well as another character from The Idiot whose name I have momentarily forgotten (he was a drunk and a hanger-on). I might have to go with Crime and Punishment over The Brothers Karamazov personally for a couple of reasons. I loved the the Petersburg setting in Crime and Punishment which is only really present in Karamazov in a couple of scenes (like when Alyosha meets Ivan at a tea house). Also I don't know why but I've always had something against scenes in a convent, I couldn't finish The Monk or Melmoth the Wanderer for this reason, something about convents really put me off... but it's more of a discomfort than a problem in the storytelling. I also feel this way about jail scenes, but I have read all of House of the Dead and A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and enjoyed them...

[Gladys]

I also really liked Ippolit from The Idiot as well as another character from The Idiot whose name I have momentarily forgotten (he was a drunk and a hanger-on).

Perchance General Ardalion Alexandrovitch Ivolgin, Husband of Nina Alexandrovna, father to Ganya, Varya, and Kolya?

[gruntingslime]

That could be him. Your post has reminded me how long it's been since I've read The Idiot. I sense another Dostoevsky binge coming on.

It was definitely Ivolgin. He makes me both laugh and feel embarrassed! But he also has a strangely kind soul, seem so innocent. I'm not sure whether he's a braggart and blow-hard or just wants everybody to have a good time.

[theDrunkPianist]

I enjoyed Crime and Punishment a bit more than TBK. It was haunting...and very insightful.