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The Brothers Karamazov

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The Brothers Karamazov

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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About this listen

This passionate novel of ethics and morality, religion and philosophy was Dostoevsky’s final and best work.

After spending four years in a Siberian penal settlement, during which time he underwent a religious conversion, Dostoevsky developed a keen ability for deep character analysis. In The Brothers Karamazov, he explores human nature at its most loathsome and cruel but never flinches at what he finds.

The Brothers Karamazov tells the stirring tale of four brothers: the pleasure-seeking, impatient Dmitri; the brilliant and morose Ivan; the gentle, loving, and honest Alyosha; and the illegitimate Smerdyakov: shy, silent, and cruel. The four unite in the murder of one of literature’s most despicable characters—their father. While on the surface a story about patricide, this novel is, on a deeper level, a spiritual tale of the struggle between faith, doubt, reason, and free will.

Public Domain (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics

Critic reviews

"[Dostoevsky is] at once the most literary and compulsively readable of novelists we continue to regard as great....The Brothers Karamazov stands as the culmination of his art - his last, longest, richest, and most capacious book." (Washington Post Book World)
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Really cannot understand why Davidson gets so much hatred for his narration, he is incredible: every character sounds distinct (including the narrator), and he reads with passionate attention to detail; his sing-song victorian British accent is startling at first but you get used to it. Do not be misled by all these negative reviews.

Astounding narration !

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Contrary to some reviews, I found the narrator to be excellent, bringing life to the characters. His plummy 1950s newsreader accent suited the period and nature of this boom.

Strong story, vibrant characters and well narrated

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I wonder how did they choose this narrator. His voice is drawling and makes pauses on the wrong places.

Difficult to listen

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To think that one can pass judgment on such works is proof that one does not comprehend the depth & profoundness of this masterpiece.

Unworthy to review such works

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I enjoyed listening to this version. Some time ago I attempted to listen to another version of this book available for free on audible and got bored, but this I finished. I found the narrator suited the story, but English is not my first language and I don’t have any feelings about accents, as long as I can understand them

Good

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