The Brothers Karamazov - Dosteovsky

Surprisingly quick read for a near 800 pp book. I don't know if I got the whole "this book gives you the essence of every element of Russian society" thing, but the characters were sympathetic and the crime drama was interesting. I don't feel that it's quite as moving or philosophical as Crime and Punishment - one of my favorite novels, but it does have a lot of twists and turns. The ever-present strength of the peasants, while still mocking them, sort of pre-figures the Bolshevik revolution. Aloshya is sort of a dull character - really not a lot going on with his development. He forgives all too easily. He doesn't seem to care at all when his girl rejects him. Ivan plays the intelligent fool - drawn into something that he's not guilty of. His love of Katya is tragic, but I don't really understand his relationship with Smerdyakov. They're obviously foils - but why does the servant kill himself at the end? Is he truly MORE intelligent than Ivan? I need to think on this more. Dmitri - it's hard to really place him. He seems to be innately good because he's "noble" despite his lack of money or decent personality. You have to appreciate his struggle to better himself and only be a scoundrel, but at the end of the day, although he's innocent you don't really feel bad for him at all. And the women - even the noble Katya is jealous and vengeful. Grushenka's perhaps the most believable of the bunch. Definitely a worthwhile read, but not quite the classic I was expecting.