The Brothers Karamazov Audiobook By Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear - translator, Larissa Volokhonsky - translator cover art

The Brothers Karamazov

(Bicentennial Edition)

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The Brothers Karamazov

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear - translator, Larissa Volokhonsky - translator
Narrated by: Ben Miles
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About this listen

This program is read by renowned English actor Ben Miles, best known for his narration of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy.

“Ben Miles's English accent is perfect for the text of this recent, award-winning translation. He delivers narrative sections in a consistent tone, and his expression is perfect…An excellent match of voice and text.”—AudioFile

Winner of the Pen/Book-of-the-Month Club Translation Prize

The award-winning translation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel of psychological realism.

The Brothers Karamazov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons—the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, is social and spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point in Russian culture.

This award-winning translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky remains true to the verbal inventiveness of Dostoevsky’s prose, preserving the multiple voices, the humor, and the surprising modernity of the original. It is an achievement worthy of Dostoevsky’s last and greatest novel.

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

©2017 Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky (P)2024 Macmillan Audio
Biographical Fiction Classics Editors Select Genre Fiction Psychological World Literature Witty
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Critic reviews

“[Dostoevsky is] at once the most literary and compulsively readable of novelists we continue to regard as great . . . The Brothers Karamazov stands as the culmination of his art—his last, longest, richest and most capacious book. [This] scrupulous rendition can only be welcomed. It returns to us a work we thought we knew, subtly altered and so made new again.”—Donald Fanger, Washington Post Book World

“It may well be that Dostoevsky's [world], with all its resourceful energies of life and language, is only now—and through the medium of this translation—beginning to come home to the English-speaking reader.”—John Bayley, The New York Review of Books

“Far and away the best translation of Dostoevsky into English that I have seen . . . faithful . . . extremely readable . . . gripping.”—Sidney Monas, University of Texas

Editorial Review

A Russian classic whose moment is now
In a parallel version of May, where my listening life as an Audible editor is uninterrupted by a stream of buzzy new releases, I’m spending the month with the bicentennial edition of The Brothers Karamazov, one of the great works of world literature and one of a tiny handful of books I personally call “life-changing.” Twenty-odd years ago I named my dog after one of the sons in Dostoevsky’s final, exquisite masterpiece (Mitya, whose name felt cutest for a canine, though Alyosha and Vanya stole my heart in the novel). But to finally immerse myself in it again is a milestone and a gift, especially in the now-definitive Pevear/Volokhonsky translation, sublimely read by actor Ben Miles ( The Crown). And so perhaps I don’t need the permission of an imaginary scenario to experience it. Life is short, the distractions unending. My future self will thank me for making time, and I’m willing to bet yours will too. — Kat J., Audible Editor

Masterpiece Story • Complex Characters • Literary Classic • Fantastic Performance • Masterful Interpretation
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One of the most profound books that I have ever read, full of human psychology, inside into human nature, and outstanding dialogues. It’s literature that will remain the historical classic.

Profound storytelling

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This book is is a masterpiece, and I was grateful for Miles narration which helped breathe life into such amazing characters.

Masterpiece

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Without question I enjoyed all 43 hours! What a treat and rare thing to find something so entertaining.

A true theater of the mind!

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Ben Miles does a masterful performance. Breathing new life into this literary classic. I enjoyed this tremendously and felt like there must be so many more books Ben has voiced. He should be required for all the greats!

Incredible narration

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This is a must read book! Dostoevsky is a master at his craft. The narration by Ben Miles is brilliant!

Maybe the best novel ever written….?

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Everything about this translation of The Brothers Karamozov is the greatest story ever told. And the narrator brings this novel to life like no other!!!

Greatest audiobook of all-time

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What a story. Is just a great great book. You dont want to stop reading.

The narration was absolutely great. Amazing!

Amazing book, perfect narration

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This review is for those comparing this version to the Penguin edition.

I first listened to the Penguin version and thought it was pretty good. However, after experiencing this translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky, I now understand why it’s considered one of the best English translations. The prose flows much more naturally, making for a smoother reading experience.

The narration in this version is also on another level. Not only is the narrator more enjoyable to listen to, but his tone masterfully conveys the mood of each line—something essential when reading Dostoevsky. While I found the Penguin narrator decent, some of his character voices didn’t quite match the book’s descriptions. For example, Dmitri (Mitya) sounded too whiny, which felt off for a character described as passionate, headstrong, and reckless.

Overall, this version stands out as the superior choice.

Listen to this version rather than the Penguin House audio version.

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Better translation and performance than the other available audio books. I had trouble getting into the book deep enough to appreciate it previously, this edition has done the trick.

Well read and acted

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This book is one of my favorites, so I knew the story, but this narrator really brought it to life! The P&V translation is great too. Highly recommend!

Amazing narration!

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