The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
(I finally finished this weekend!)

Dostoevsky proves himself a master of character complexity and development. Strange how the book just, ends. As it appears more character driven than plot driven it would seem to make more sense if the last to scenes of the book were switched, allowing the somewhat surprising behavior in the prison hospital to end the novel with some sort of progression or surprise. However, Dostoevsky's intention to write a sequel/series might have been just what prompted him to end the novel with seemingly minor characters. Who knows what part he intended the school boys to play, or what the death of the young boy may have prompted in the coming book. When considering this, the ending leads to a great deal of mystery and thoughts, which we'll never be able to answer.

Long book, and many times I wished I could just quit it, but in the end, I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn from the masters and willing to take a painful, but rewarding ride. The language is beautiful. The characters, compelling and confusing and altogether far too real!