I’ve read a to. Of classics this year and unfortunately this one just wasn’t. Good fit. While I appreciate all the things that make it a classic it was sluggish and converter and not at all what I hope for in a compelling classic.

I'm embarrassed to admit that this is another book I've been putting off because of its size. This was my high school English teacher's favorite book, and finally, I can see why. It helped a lot that I was listening to this amazing performer, who had such a great way with voices and made everything so dramatic. And this story is dramatic! I would recommend having a physical copy too, to help keep track of the different names. Thanks so much to NetGalley for making this audiobook availab.e!

I think I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I like ready about Russian Classics more than I like actually reading Russian Classics.

Generally I do like Dostoevsky, but this isn’t my favorite among his works. Still, I thought it was worth trying a new edition and despite this not being my favorite piece of Russian literature, I thought this was a successful attempt at an updated edition, and i think that helped me get through an overlong book whose books lot I am k not the biggest fan of.

For many reasons I wish this was shorter and for a few others I just kinda wish all of Dostoyevsky’s books were more like Demons, which I love, but I can’t deny that this is a beautiful piece of writing.

Benjamine Miles is truly the perfect narrator for the Brothers Karamazov. His command of a wide range of inflections, accents, and voices makes understanding who is speaking during Dostoevsky's dense work actually easier than reading it in print,.

There is so much to be said of a novel like this - its mystery, the philosophy, the family dynamics, the format, the lessons learned...and on and on. It's not the type of book you want to power through to say you did; rather, I wanted to savor each chapter and linger on the poetic language that felt more accessible due to Pevear's and Volokhonsky's highly-regarded translation skills. Ben Miles also brings these characters to life with his narration, and I was impressed with his emotion throughout the book. I won't bother rehashing the entire plot, but the ending was such a perfect way to end the epic story. I felt satisfied, optimistic, and ready to replay the audiobook all over again.

Great book but I owuld probably recommend the physical book over the audiobook as it's easier to get into the phyical story.

Thank you to NetGalley aan the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing book, hard to get into on audio so I supplimented with physical reading, and the audiobook helped a lot. This is one of the all time great books.

<b>Story [Print Book/PB] - 4 Stars</b>

What an excellent read! Even though I really liked Anna Karenina [and respect Tolstoy overall, even though I am not as fond of his other works], I never expected to actually love a Russian author [so much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth], but thanks to the Bestie's <s>pushing</s> *AHEM*, recommendation, I read "Crime and Punishement" [<u>WHAT</u> a book!!], which led us to this book [yay for summer reading] and its most excellent [and recommended] translation, and once again, I am completely blown away. If it wasn't for the [tedious] last chapters that focus on a trial [and there where moments where it was a trial of another sort for me to stay fully engaged], this would have been a 5 star read for me. Who knew?? ;-)


<b>Audiobook [NetGalley] - 5 Stars</b>

Speaking of 5 stars, THAT is what this narration is. It is just spectacular. Ben Miles [and actor in movies and British television] is the narrator and what an outstanding job he does. He brings the whole story to life and makes parts of the book practically jump off the page [even the tedious parts were more tolerable because of his excellent narration]. I certainly hope that he does more narration in the future; I would be tempted to read almost anything he was narrating.
I highly recommend this audiobook if you are ready to tackle Dostoevsky; you will not be sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokonsky - Translators, Ben Miles - Narrator, and Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review,

An excellent translation and audiobook narration of the Dostoyevsky classic. The character of each brother is so expertly developed that a reader is genuinely invested in each episode and interaction. The women are, sadly, less developed and stereotypically hysterical, fragile, sex objects, and/or insane.

It seems superfluous to comment upon the subject book. It is, likely, the greatest novel written in any language, but for this audio version specifically, I will commend the work, it is the best in class audio version that lives up to the great standard put forth by the novel itself.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

“The Brothers Karamazov,” a timeless masterpiece by Fyodor Dostoevsky, has been reborn in its Bicentennial Edition as an audiobook narrated by the talented Ben Miles. This monumental work of psychological realism weaves together a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Russia, it delves into the complexities of family, faith, and human nature.

Narration and Performance

Ben Miles’s narration is captivating. His voice resonates with depth and nuance, drawing listeners into the tumultuous lives of the Karamazov family. Whether portraying the impulsive Dmitri, the coldly rational Ivan, or the young novice Alyosha, Miles breathes life into each character. His pacing is impeccable, allowing the intricate prose to unfold naturally. As the listener, you’ll find yourself immersed in the rich tapestry of emotions and conflicts.

Translation and Verbal Inventiveness

Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky’s award-winning translation remains faithful to Dostoevsky’s original brilliance. The verbal inventiveness—the multiple voices, the humor, and the surprising modernity—shines through. Their rendering captures the essence of the Russian text while making it accessible to contemporary audiences. It’s a testament to their skill that this translation feels both timeless and fresh.

Themes and Exploration

“The Brothers Karamazov” grapples with profound themes. The wicked and sentimental Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—become entangled in a web of love, jealousy, and moral dilemmas. Dostoevsky masterfully portrays the human condition, exposing our desires, doubts, and existential struggles. The novel serves as a mirror reflecting Russian society during a pivotal era, capturing both its golden age and tragic turning points.

Final Thoughts

This audiobook edition celebrates Dostoevsky’s legacy. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to his work, “The Brothers Karamazov” (Bicentennial Edition) is a must-listen. Ben Miles’s narration elevates the experience, and Pevear and Volokhonsky’s translation preserves the soul of the original. Dive into this epic saga—it will linger in your thoughts.

Being that Crime and Punishment is one of my favorite novels, when I saw The Brothers Karamazov available on audio from NetGalley, I hopped on the chance to give it a listen. I ended up both thrilled and bored at times and let me tell you why.

This is the story of a father and his three sons, none of whom even approaches perfection. These boys are not all from the same mother. The father is a carouser and womanizer and his eldest, (Dmitri) is too. One son is nearly a priest, (Alexei), and the other philosophical and brilliant, (Ivan.) All of these boys are referred to by different names throughout, which was confusing at first. Dmitri is often called Mitya, Ivan is Vanya, and Alexei is Alyosha.

For me, the beginning third of this was pretty boring with long discussions of philosophy. However, this section was important because the notion of "If god does not exist than anything/everything is permissible" is touched upon again and again throughout the story.

After this section this story became more compelling to this modern reader. There are some terrible people, especially women, in this book. One woman whose real name I have forgotten, but is called by Grushenka throughout, was especially cruel and wanton. She is dating/seeing the father, Fyodor, and his son Dmitri. Ewwww.

On top of the weird, icky, love triangle, we end up with a major theft, a murder, and a courtroom drama, all of which kept this reader's ears glued to the story.

The narrator's performance in this audio is nothing short of magnificent. All of these Russian names and characters, all of these men and women both, some educated, some not...all of these were voiced and infused with feeling and emotion. Seriously, this audio is 42 hours long and it takes someone with amazing dedication and talent to pull it off with style and Ben Miles provided both.

Overall, I ended up enjoying this story quite a bit. If the narrator wasn't as good as this one was, I might not have made it through. As I said though, Ben Miles was incredible and kept me listening and I'm so glad that I did!

If you're looking for a way to knock another classic off your massive TBR, this particular audio can and will make it easier for you to do so and I highly recommend it!

*Audio ARC from publisher. Thank you.*

Glad to check this hefty classic off my list. It was made more tangible by listening to the audiobook narrated by Ben Miles. He did an excellent job fleshing out the characters with a variety of accents. He also effectively communicated the drama unfolding with appropriate emotional depth.

This is a very dialog heavy book. If you ever wish you could be a “fly on the wall” and hear everything that is said, this is the book for you!

The Brothers Karamazov is often considered one of the world's most complex novels, and I certainly struggled with it. It is extremely long (the audiobook is 1 day (!), 18 hours, and 16 minutes long). The book is full of Russian names which unfortunately I am not as familiar with and had a hard time keeping straight who was who. And I feel like I only comprehended 1/10 of what could be retained from the text. So many different themes are explored and dissected.

I would like to return to this book (when I’m smarter!) and give it the time it requires to appreciate all the nuances it contains.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!

I loved the The Brothers Karamazov and this was a great audiobook version. Great narration, not too droll