Book Musing - The Brothers Karamazov

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time! The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a book written in 1879, about human nature and choices we make that affect our future, perhaps unforeseen. The impact of decisions made everyday changes us, sometimes in tragic ways, but there is always hope in dire times.

I love how this book raises questions you must ask yourself as the reader peering into the drama, which lingers with you for days. How to respond, you the reader are set to ponder. The depths of human souls are complex, seeking truth in love, but what if we follow our momentary passions twisted in selfishness, driving us to make decisions that affect the future in ways we could not foresee? Our character could thus be determined by such acts. 

Thank God for His mercy, and that everyone can be redeemed, even those we judge to be wrong, guilty, different, or mad.

I finished reading it and I would want the tale to continue, and yet sometimes it’s best left to the imagination, as the story does continue with us and how we choose to live.

Books that make you think are soul food, to me. This 775 page book is about relationships, words, and deeds. Following three brothers, or is it four, we observe their choices and begin to ask ourselves - would my own actions or words work to destroy something previous, or offer good? Dimitri is impulsive and full of anger, but passionate. He makes rash choices, not realizing how they will change his future. Ivan is cold and harsh. He is highly intelligent, but doesn't believe in God. Alyosha is devout, religious, and thoughtful. He looks at the world and ways to love others.

This book has many complexities and twists. Characters who we have pinned down do something that will change your opinion later. There are debates about God, church, judging others, character development, and relationships. While you learn about the Russian culture at the time, there is very little atmosphere and environment described. It's all about the dialogue. Each character has pages of sharing his/her own viewpoints, developing into something for the reader to ponder. 

This book left me with much to ponder, and I have been doing that for several days. I really like how Dostoevsky reaches toward hope, even in the darkest moments. While something grips us from an outcome, I read into the story how every soul can be redeemed. We don't get to decide who deserves it or not, it's just our duty to love.

There are souls that in their narrowness blame the whole world. But overwhelm such a soul with mercy, give it love, and it will curse what it has done, for there are so many germs of good in it. The soul will expand and behold how merciful God is, and how beautiful and just people are.
- The Brothers Karamazov