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Before You Read The Brothers Karamazov, Read This.
👋 Hello Reader,
You've probably heard the name Fyodor Dostoevsky. He's the author of Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and some of my other favorite books, including The Brothers Karamazov (TBK).
Fyodor Dostoevsky
TBK is a great book, but you have to be ready for it. It's long, 823 pages according to my edition, and it's a deep dive into family politics, betrayal, love, faith in God, atheism, and so much more.
The story is divided into twelve different books. It's all a connected story, but when it was written (1879 to 1880), it was done so as a periodical, each section released as a serial in The Russian Messenger, a magazine that contracted with writers like Dostoevsky to publish works over time. Think of it as the original Netflix, with each new publication being an episode of the entire show.
The Russian Messenger
What You Need to Know Before Reading TBK
Within TBK, you'll find one of the best moments in all of fiction, a story called The Grand Inquisitor. You can find the masterpiece on pages 262 to 281 in my edition.
It's a story told by Ivan (a secular atheist) to his brother, Alyosha (a monk in training). Ivan's goal is to rattle his brother's faith.
The story takes place during the Spanish Inquisition (sixteenth century) and focuses on two characters: a cardinal of the Church and Christ, who has returned to perform miracles.
The Cardinal should be excited to see Christ, but he's not. In fact, he's come to condemn him to death - AGAIN! Why would he do such a thing?
In the story, the Cardinal does all of the speaking. It’s a massive block of text with very few paragraph breaks. In it, he claims that Christ did more harm than good because He gave people freedom (free will).
Here's the Cardinal's logic:
Free will is bad for the people, because it ultimately leads to bad actions, pain, and suffering.
People need real solutions to their suffering, more than prayers can provide. They need food, shelter, and authority to guide them. The masses must be controlled!
The Cardinal claims that Christ failed to provide these, because after providing freedom, he died and went away leaving the people hungry, cold, and aimless.
The Three Temptations
The Cardinal argues that Christ should have taken the three temptations and capitalized on them, for they represent what the people truly need.
Temptation #1 - Food. Christ should have turned the stones into bread. People will follow anyone who feeds them.
Temptation #2 - Miracles. Christ should have leapt from the temple. People will follow anyone that can do miracles.
Temptation #3 - Authority.Christ should have accepted Satan’s offer to rule all the kingdoms. People want an authority figure, not a humble man who dies on a cross. Give them someone like Napoleon, not a beggar.
Christ's Response
Christ says nothing during this massive dialogue. He only listens as the Cardinal goes on and on. At the end, Christ comes forward and gives the Cardinal a kiss.
The kiss is supposed to represent the idea that no amount of arguing can supersede love.
Why I love this passage
I love The Grand Inquisitor because Dostoevsky does an incredible job of arguing for the side of atheism (as viewed by the brother Ivan) and then he does an equally incredible job arguing for spiritual faith through the power of the kiss. The story draws a line on the sand and asks you to pick a side. Do you agree with Ivan (the atheist) or Alyosha (the monk in training)?
📚 Until next time, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.
-Eddy
New This Week:
Book Recommendation
The 12 Monotasks by Thatcher Wine
Listen to the Podcast
Nietzsche and the Art of Living Dangerously | EP 115
What's New in Book Club
Join us for A "Morning" with Thatcher Wine on Nov 19!
What's New at Edgewater Bookstore
Take the "Find Your Next Book" Quiz
Book Recommendation
The Twelve Monotasks by Thatcher Wine
If you’ve ever caught yourself trying to read while checking email or half-listening to someone while scrolling your phone, The Twelve Monotasks is a book you’ll want to pick up. Thatcher Wine invites us to slow down and rediscover what it feels like to do one thing—fully. Each “monotask” is a practice: reading, listening, walking, sleeping, even thinking with more focus and intention.
What I love about this book is that it doesn’t come from a place of guilt or self-help hype. It’s calm, grounded, and genuinely useful. You’ll start seeing how much richer life feels when your attention stops scattering in a dozen directions.
I’ll be interviewing Thatcher Wine in our community on November 19as part of our Evening with an Author series. If you’d like to join that conversation—or read the book before or after—it’s one I highly recommend.
Nietzsche and the Art of Living Dangerously | EP 115
Nietzsche once said, “Live dangerously.” But what did he mean by that? In this episode, I explore the heart of that idea—why safety can dull the human spirit, and how risk is tied to becoming who you are. I’ll share my own struggle with this concept and recommend a book that might help you take the next step toward a more honest, courageous life.
Join me for a special live event as I interview Thatcher Wine, author, designer, and founder of Juniper Books—a company devoted to the art of beautiful reading experiences. Thatcher’s work bridges the worlds of literature, mindfulness, and design, reminding us that reading is not just an activity, but a way of being. In this conversation, we’ll explore the inspirations behind For the Love of Books, his celebration of how books shape our spaces and lives, and The Twelve Monotasks, where he challenges us to slow down, focus deeply, and bring intention to every aspect of our day. Expect a thoughtful discussion about what it means to live a well-read life—one marked by curiosity, attention, and beauty. You’ll leave inspired to approach your shelves, your reading habits, and even your daily routines with fresh eyes. Bring your questions, your favorite passages, and a cup of something warm. This promises to be one of our most inspiring Evening with an Author events yet.
I’ve been working on something fun — a quiz that helps you find your perfect book.📕🎉
Here’s how it works: you answer a few quick questions about how you like to read, what kinds of ideas move you, and what kind of story or subject you’re in the mood for. Then, the quiz runs your answers through all the books in Edgewater’s catalog and finds the ones that best match your reading style.
It’s a simple (and surprisingly accurate) way to discover something new — whether that’s a novel to get lost in or a nonfiction book that challenges how you think.
You can take the quiz now on the Edgewater site and see what it recommends for you. Your next favorite book might just be waiting there.
Feel free to respond to this email. Let me know how I can make your experience in our reading community better, or if you have questions, I'm all ears.
As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.
-Eddy
Got Questions?
Reply to this email with your questions. I respond to each and sometimes make a podcast or video to answer your bookish questions.
Weekly Newsletter on Great Books, Reading Habits, and Literary Appreciation.
Subscribe to my newsletter for tips on close reading, detailed note-taking, and applying bookish wisdom to your life. I talk about fiction and non-fiction, interview literary experts, and host The Read Well Podcast. Subscribe today and build better reading habits.