The Brothers Karamazov

Penguin Classics

By: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, David McDuff - translator

Narrated by: Luke Thompson

Length: 43 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Luke Thompson, best known for his role in the hit Netflix drama Bridgerton. This definitive recording includes an introduction by David McDuff.

The murder of brutal landowner Fyodor Karamazov changes the lives of his sons irrevocably: Mitya, the sensualist, whose bitter rivalry with his father immediately places him under suspicion for parricide; Ivan, the intellectual, driven to breakdown; the spiritual Alyosha, who tries to heal the family's rifts; and the shadowy figure of their bastard half-brother, Smerdyakov. Dostoyevsky's dark masterwork evokes a world where the lines between innocence and corruption, good and evil, blur and everyone's faith in humanity is tested.

Translated with an introduction and notes by David McDuff.

©2003 David McDuff (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The most magnificent novel ever written." (Sigmund Freud)

Brilliant Performance

I expected the book to be astounding, else why would we still be reading it a century and a half after it’s publication, and it was utterly magnificent. A work of genius. What I didn’t expect and was delighted to discover was Luke Thompson’s masterful performance. His delivery of Dostoyevsky’s labyrinthine prose is captivating and his distinct portrayal of every character is utterly believable. His reading sweeps you into the story and holds you there for the entire telling, even during the lengthy philosophical detours. It was a pleasure worth far more than the one credit I paid. Bravo Luke Thompson!

Absolutely Worth It

I have picked up and put down unfinished the Brothers Karamazov multiple times in my life. This audiobook version is the only reason I (finally) finished it. Together, Luke Thompson's voice and David McDuff's translation, have turned this into something magical. I finally get that this novel is to be savored rather than consumed. Cannot recommend it enough!

Just 'WOW'; Fantastic translation and narration!

This was a novel that took me years to get through. But once I found the right translation and audio book, I was able to not only plow through this novel with quick assertion, but I enjoyed it to a level I didn't think would be possible.
Much thanks to All Involved! Just WOW!

Amazing book and excellent performance

I’m new to Russian literature. Now I see what the big deal is. This journey is so worth the time. Nothing gratuitous. Every rabbit trail informing the overall story. Love, love, love.

All-time reading of a classic.

Amazing reading. Gives each character their own voice without being overly theatrical. The perfect match between reader and novel.

Masterful reading! Truly impressive.

I have loved Dostoyevsky since I was young, yet had never read the Brothers Karamazov, which I had heard was one of his masterpieces, combining all the themes of his earlier works.

I was instantly struck by how much the reader added to this long and winding tale. He uses different voices and accents (English regional analogs to Russian linguistic geographies) throughout, and he manages to make each sound unique, and embellishes enough non-verbal vocalizations that add immense character to a classic novel that is teeming with characters.

I think it takes a lot of confidence and gusto to imbue so much personality into these famous fictional characters, and Mr. Thompson seems to treat it like a Royal Shakespearean Thespian, but not in a bombastic or overdone way. I am a huge fan of audio books, and Luke Thompson’s performances in this one is truly a tour de force. I would say he does nearly as much heavy lifting as the translator, who also does an amazing job. Of course, I have only heard one translation, but a spot comparison seemed to indicate that this McDuff version is better than the older more commonly found one.

Anyway, kudos to all who were involved in producing this work. Rendering one of the all time world’s best writer’s masterpiece unto sound is no small task, and you all rose to the very high occasion. I salute you!

Here’s to hoping that you tackle many more classics in the future.

Ian F.

Best audiobook of Brothers Karamazov there is

I absolutely loved Luke Thompson’s elegant narration of the novel, which brought the story to life for me. Thank you!

A Must Read

The audio performance by Luke Thompson was marvelous.
I don’t think I could have enjoyed it more.

Now I Understand

As a young dyslexic reader I wld always stumble w Russian words, so to my HUGE delight I am now discovering great treasures by the brilliant Audible talents. So grateful. It’s life changing to finally share in the wisdom of this world literature!

profane or sacred world

A deep discussion of the profane and the sacred, touching on modern nihilism that seems to run people and nations into self/ destructive behaviors. The characters are complex in ways that surprise contemporary readers. It takes a bit time to get used to the complexity of the story and the names and nicknames. We 21th century people are not used to the slow pacing and lenght of 19th century drama.