I’m a bit late reporting in for my own read-along. And I could offer up all sorts of excuses, but what it really comes down to is this…I didn’t finish the reading on time. But! I persevered (because I’m reading this book so you don’t have to (I know, I’m too kind)). So, finally, here is the second installment of the…
Today, I’ll be discussing Part 2, consisting of Books IV, V, and VI (aka 4, 5, and 6).
What’s Happening:
Book 4 starts off with Father Zosima espousing peace, love and understanding. Alyosha then makes the rounds. He visits his father (same old story), the Khokhlakov’s (where Katerina insists she does not love Ivan and that she plans to marry Dmitri), and the home of a poor captain who Dmitri once beat, where Alyosha offers money and is rebuffed.
Moving on to Book 5, Alyosha makes the rounds again. This time he starts at the Khokhlakov’s, where he and Lise profess their true love and agree to marry (did I mention Alyosha will be leaving the monastery?). He then goes in search of Dmitri. First, he runs into Smerdyakov, who he singing to the housekeeper’s daughter. Then, he runs into Ivan, and they bare their souls (kind of) over fish soup, tea and jam. Ivan states he is leaving in the morning, but gee, it sure has been swell getting to know his little bro. There is also much (pages!) of Ivan blathering on about the existence of God and human suffering (that would be Ivan talking about suffering, although you would also be correct in thinking that I was also suffering by this point). He also recites his prose poem, about which all I remember is that it was exceedingly (and excessively) long. Alyosha never did find Dmitri.
Book 6 returns us to Zosima, who is (finally) dying. Alyosha recounts his last words (of which (no surprise), there are many). Let’s just say it’s some of his life story, be thankful we didn’t have to listen to the whole damn thing, and leave it at that.
What I’m Thinking:
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Oh sure, I could talk about how Alyosha represents hope and Ivan fatalism, and how the women all seem to embody worry and hysteria (I am SO not impressed with you over this, Dostoevsky), and how all the religious blathering (excuse me, religious discourses) are representative of the age.
But really.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
What Others are Thinking:
I know that Jenners and Trish (and this is all her fault, in case you were wondering) are still reading. Is anyone else??
Hm, so now I wonder how long all of you are going to hold out!
Amanda´s last [type] ..The Summing Up- by William Somerset Maugham
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Actually… I just read The Bell Jar and the stuff at the end of the book that talks about Sylvia Plath says she wrote some kind of dissertation on Dostoevsky that makes me curious what she wrote… almost curious, I mean.
Care´s last [type] ..Copley’s Connections
I have a sneaking suspicion that we are the only three reading this. Both you and Trish are OBLIGATED since you came up with the damn idea. I’m going to push on because I’ve wasted so much time on it already that I must keep going.
I have to admit, the posts are cracking me up though.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
The fact that you are continuing to read this is incredibly impressive! I think you deserve a medal of some sort upon completion!
Oh my – glad you could stay awake long enough to post the update! Don’t think I’ll be reaching for this any time soon (yes, it’s on my shelf).
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Teaser Tuesday- Bleak House by Charles Dickens
I admit it, I am woefully behind! At this rate, I will be posting about part 2 next year!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review- In a Heartbeat
Well I figured I didn’t have to read it because you are giving such excellent synopses along the way.
Michele@ A Reader’s Respite´s last [type] ..A Lifetime of Dystopia
I confess: I haven’t even started it yet. I’m enjoying my Booker longlist far too much to tread into boring territory right now. I do admire you ladies for sticking with it (and I hope to actually read-a-long next time!)
nomadreader (Carrie)´s last [type] ..Booker Dozen 2010- Trespass by Rose Tremain
Who are all the people who said this book was fantastic?? I know they exist because I didn’t want to read this book just because it sounded fun. People endorsed it! I’ll be darned if I can remember who, though… Phoooey!
Trish´s last [type] ..Brothers Karamazov Ceilidh – Part II
After reading Jenners’s posts and totally cracked up laughing, I took my copy of the Bros K and chucked it in the donate box. Not even bothering to crack the spine on this bad boy or should I say bad boys.