The Brothers Karamazov [Jimcin Recordings Edition]

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett - translator

Narrated by: Walter Covell

Dostoevsky studied human nature with passion and precision. He plumbed the depths and never winced at what he found, even when it was beyond his understanding. This extraordinary novel is a recital of his findings, told in the story of four brothers: Dimitri, pleasure-seeking, impatient, unruly; Ivan, brilliant and morose; Alyosha, gentle, loving, honest; and the illegitimate Smerdyakov, sly, silent, cruel. What gives this story its dramatic grip is the part these brothers play in their father's murder.©1987 Jimcin Recordings (P)1987 Jimcin Recordings

Meehhhed the Meh out of me

Disclaimer, I do not typically listen to the classics, this and The Count of Monte Cristo are the only real classics I have listened to.

Given my background I really struggled getting through this entire book. There were times in the book where Dostoevsky would introduce a meaningful thought or axiom about life in general outside of Russia, but these were few and far between. The book lacked continuity and a clear line of progression. I regret picking this book up on a whim.

Wonderful translation and performance

The narrator made me feel as though I was present in the novel. The best production of this work I have heard

Great reader. Great novel.

I have heard this book & Dostoyevsky offered as very serious angst philosophy. I was not expecting to have so much fun. I laughed and was thoroughly absorbed.

Timeless Classic (but not for everyone)

If you want the story, there is a good movie. Russian novels are difficult at best and the only reason I even understand this is because I took a course on Dostoevsky in college. One of the main problems for non-Russians is the variety of names for a single person: there are formal names, semi-formal names, diminutives and short diminutives. The person who reads this book solves that problem because somehow he makes it clear who he is talking about. Overall, the reader is excellent.

This is the third time I've "read" the novel. Each time you notice something different, like with the appreciation of any timeless artwork. This time I noticed Kolya's interaction with the doctor at Ilusha's fbedside. Who cares about Fyodor? This is the real tragedy. Also, I noticed how boring the lawyer's speeches were at the end of the book and I wondered if Dostoevsky had noticed a market for courtroom dramas and was trying to drive up sales . . . ever the cynic.

Great book, poor presentation

Dear Audible, Please give us a new version with a better narrator! I'll be first in line...

I rated this recording over a year ago & in listening again, am sorry I gave the performance 3 stars... should be 2 at most... maybe 1.

I'm a major Dostoevsky fan & I'd put this book in his top 3. Other reviewers have gone into the story details, so I'm going to focus on recording quality. Walter Covell was a poor choice for narrator. There is little if any distinction between the characters' voices & their voices often switched as the story went along. Dialogs are a mash up. I had to follow along with the book to determine who was talking to who(m).

Then there's the technical quality, which continually alternates between bad and worse. It often sounds like a recording from a 1940's radio broadcast.

The sample for the other unabridged recording sounded even less appealing, so I went with this one. Best to read the book & wait for a new recording with a better narrator