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.

Oh, the toils of man!

Very dramatic! I can't wait to reread this story in about fifteen years or so!

Exceptionally Good Narration

This translation is very close to the Pevears & Volokhonsky version which I read while listening. The narrator acted his way through the text and was just brilliant. The Brothers K is now in the top five reading experiences for me.

A masterpiece!

Encouraging from beginning to end spellbinding and final error ! I couldn’t wait to read it

Incredible depth and detail

Oh, and extremely long narration, the coverage of the lives of the characters, was extensive, and complex. The depth of indulgence in religious and secular ideology of the time and place permitting the reader in depth immersive ideological and philosophical detail.

Luke Thompson is a god!

I was the only one in my book club that listened to Luke build this world. The nuance of class he was able to bring to each chatacter was nothing short of brilliant. What an actor. Amazing! I think I was the only one that understood what was going on.