At the Newberry in 2026: Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

We will examine Dostoevsky’s sunset novel, The Brothers Karamazov, in Michael Katz’s acclaimed 2024 translation that transforms this masterpiece into a fast-flowing, surprisingly humorous page-turner. This isn’t a dusty classic but a novel that contains a gripping murder mystery, a tangle of love triangles, an emotional drama, a spiritual quest, a fairy tale, and a philosophical discourse.

Dostoevsky masterfully weaves together a polyphony of voices, narratives, and themes where financial scandals intertwine with philosophical debates about God, love stories merge with detective plots and courtroom drama, the fantastic blends with the realistic, while the main narrative is interspersed with separate inserted works. Dostoevsky presents all his major concepts in a single work: a book without easy answers that forces readers to think. You’ll find yourself debating with the characters and questioning your own beliefs until the final page. Our discussions will be enriched by extensive biographical, historical, and critical context, along with episodes from acclaimed film adaptations.

Classes begin on Saturday, February 21, 2026 and end on May 9, 2026. For the full course description, click here. Check the Newberry library’s Adult Education page for more information on registering for this class (and other fantastic classes offered by the Newberry!)