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[Update 7/08/2013: I guess this review deserves a preface. Before you read it keep in mind that this book nearly made me stop reading novels because I felt that after this nothing will ever reach up to its level. Now I know there are longer novels and maybe better manageable novels, and this book isn't my all-time favorite ([book:Invisible Man|16981]) but this book is just special. After about two months I started picking up comic books and graphic novels to get me back in the habit of reading and I have by this time "recovered" but I will always be appreciated]

"And even if only one good memory remains with us in our hearts, that alone may serve some day for our salvation."

This will no doubt be the most difficult thing I have ever reviewed. There is so much that one gets when reading a Russian novel-or any good novel to be honest. But in this massive work you get it all. Lots of characters pop up, everyone has long names and are known by different names depending on who is speaking, when a person does anything they talk or "think" about it at great length, and hate him or love him almost all characters are required to talk about God. But then we have the things that Dostoevsky is known for. The narrator is not objective, not by a long shot; every character is played in the most exaggerated fashion possible-NO EXCEPTIONS! Children are often shown having to go through some [insert Russian word for overly harsh ordeal or shit]. At least 3 out of 10 characters have to die or be driven near death or total insanity.

That being said this book rises above the competition because its author took every fiber of being in him to make this. I don't think it is a surprise that he died after this novel was published. This book puts so much of not just humanity or God but existence itself on trial and (view spoiler)[thank your stars the verdict is not guilty (hide spoiler)].

The good thing about a book this long is that FD has plenty of time to give us the complete essence of every character and he takes advantage. I was also amazed quite quick at how much I felt so involved in every minute and how I felt I was experiencing every thing right along with the characters, which is something that I don't experience with even the best writers often. My two favorite characters were the Elder Father Zosima and of course the main protagonist (according to Dostoevsky) Alexi Fyodorvich Karamazov. But I really took to Father Zosima, if there was ever someone who so totally destroyed the notion and essence of the infamous "Grand Inquisitor" it was him and he demonstrated it in how he lived not in any fancy speech.
One of the complaints I had about Crime and Punishment was that it took me almost 2/3 of the book to really become involved-or should I say to actually feel like I knew and cared what happened to the characters. I warmed up quicker to Sonya than I did Raskolnikov(sp?) but overall I felt that nearly 5/8 (or 2/3) of that novel was exposition with some plot mixed in until the last 1/3 when the plot went into the incredible conclusion.
That was not the case here. From the beginning I was captivated by how well the action and exposition blended in the novel. This book went big as much as possible and it payed off. Seldom was I bored with the book (despite how long it took me to finish it) and I always looked forward to reading it. I do wonder what I would have thought had I not stopped in April 2011 to read C&P, not resuming this novel until July 2012. In any case I have always felt very rewarded when reading Dostoevsky.

The blending of multiple plots is very well done and it helped make the town in the story really seem like a town. Just because one thing happened it doesn't stop every other drama in town from also happening. And if you have lived in a small town then this setting is very recognizable and understandable to you in the way of the familiarity of the armada of characters' knowing of each other.

This book also surprised me in its early use of tropes that became very common in the modernist movement of 20th century, such as stream-of-consciousness, the time jumping without any indication, and some other minor innovations.

I was so struck at how honestly the story was handled amidst some justifiable temptation to cop out at many moments. This story was going to be truthful and fair and it explored so many depths of the human psyche that one has to wonder how FD was not given an honorary psychology degree by every university in Russia.

I no-doubt understand why so many different people, from many walks of life and beliefs, have hailed this as their favorite novel it stands as one of the greatest works of literature ever. I am only scratching the surface and may find that I have to add more to this review but right now I don't know what else can be said. I have no idea who I would recommend this book to but, I will say that when ever you are ready to read it, don't look back just give yourself to it and really try to understand where Fyodor Dostoevsky is going and what he is saying to you. This is not a "first" read but a best read.

"And eternally so, all our lives hand in hand! Hurrah for Karamazov!"