Karamazov Count: FINISHED!!!

It is done. The words have been read, some have even been comprehended. So now I ask myself: "Was it worth it?" From the point of view of having completed an onerous task I didn't believe I'd be able to complete - yes. From the point of view of having read the most wonderful masterpiece of literature I could ever hope to read, I'd have to say - no.

Karamazov was Dostoyevsky's last novel, he completed it shortly before he died. The novel, which was originally published in serial form in a magazine, suffers from a lack of editing and a strong tendency to rambling and repetition, especially towards the end. The final quarter of the novel delves into, in excruciating detail, the trial for parricide of oldest Karamazov brother, Mitya, replete with lengthy witness testimonies and lawyer deliberations. And although, at times, there were hints of compelling Dostoyevsky insight, which allowed for some transcendence of an otherwise banal courtroom drama, I found this the hardest section of the novel (even harder than that most evil Grand Inquisitor!).

But, in fact, there were moments of brilliance throughout the novel. There were some strange passages, tinged with truth, which gave exaggerated (at times almost surreal) renderings of complex characters and issues of society, and dense prose dealing with philosophy and theology. It was a wild ride. All of which has made me realise I need to read Dostoyevsky's earlier work.

So, my Karamazov journey has, seemingly, reached its conclusion. I haven't yet conducted any proper research into the Karamazov phenomenon, eg I haven't read any essays (academic or otherwise), I haven't searched to find fan clubs etc. and I'm fully expecting another visitation from Mr D in the near future (once he sees this blog post). It's been an enriching experience on a number of levels, but I think the most important aspects have been an increase in my confidence at reading difficult literature, an appreciation for such literature and a strategy for reading it. However, I wouldn't recommend The Brothers Karamazov to people. I think it's really only for fans of Dostoyevsky OR for students of Russian literature/history/politics OR for people studying the effects of hypergraphia OR for people who can't get enough of words, all words, in any configuration.


The cover of my copy of Karamazov - published by Penguin Books - has upon it a most striking painting*; Refusal to Confess by Ilya Repin (1844-1930; "His [Repin's] realistic works often expressed great psychological depth and exposed the tensions within the existing social order"):


*Interestingly, this painting is named on the novel's back cover as "The Rejected Confession", which I had taken to mean that the priest had not forgiven the confessed sins of the stricken man (my Catholic interpretation), not that the man - possibly an activist - had refused to talk.