The Brothers Karamazov

The Brothers Karamazov (1879–80; The Brothers Karamazov) is Dostoyevsky's final and arguably best work. It explores many of the author's favorite philosophical and theological topics, including the origin of evil, the essence of freedom, and the need for religion. Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov is a wasteful and spiteful parent who takes every opportunity to act like a bumbling clown. When his sons were little, he ignored them, not because he didn't care, but because he "forgot" about them. Dmitry, the eldest, fights with his father over money and competes with him for the favors of a "demonic" woman, Grushenka. Dmitry is capable of really loving both "Sodom" and "the Madonna" at the same time.