I would always make a joke that Dostoevsky's Jesus never condemned the Grand Inquisitor but kissed him. Though a joke, it seems many people miss it along with that Ivan is also skeptical of God being good. Have you read books by Soloviev, who was a good friend of Dostoevsky who even carried his coffin? His view towards Rome can bring many heated debates between Catholics and Orthodox, and whether he died a catholic is also disputed. Overall, Soloviev's idea, I believe, gives a more nuanced understanding of what Dostoevsky and his colleagues thought of Catholicism: if the Russian Empire needs a tsar, the Church needs a pope too.
In case you want to read his works, his name is often romanized also as Solovyov. (Soloviev is the letter-to-letter transcription while Solovyov reflects its actual pronunciation.) You might feel even more intrigued after knowing that he was the real-life model for Alesha/Alyosha Karamazov!
I read a while back an article on a Catholic site suggesting all Catholics read Dostoyevsky and have been interested in him ever since. That, and a good friend's favorite novel is The Brothers Karamazov. I own that as well as Crime and Punishment...one of these days I'll dive in!
I would always make a joke that Dostoevsky's Jesus never condemned the Grand Inquisitor but kissed him. Though a joke, it seems many people miss it along with that Ivan is also skeptical of God being good. Have you read books by Soloviev, who was a good friend of Dostoevsky who even carried his coffin? His view towards Rome can bring many heated debates between Catholics and Orthodox, and whether he died a catholic is also disputed. Overall, Soloviev's idea, I believe, gives a more nuanced understanding of what Dostoevsky and his colleagues thought of Catholicism: if the Russian Empire needs a tsar, the Church needs a pope too.
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment! I have not read any Soloviev, but I'll have to put him on my list now.
In case you want to read his works, his name is often romanized also as Solovyov. (Soloviev is the letter-to-letter transcription while Solovyov reflects its actual pronunciation.) You might feel even more intrigued after knowing that he was the real-life model for Alesha/Alyosha Karamazov!
Oh and judgements aside, I think Dostoevsky would agree with the political stance of the current Russian Orthodox Church if he were alive.
I completely agree!
Loved this.
I read a while back an article on a Catholic site suggesting all Catholics read Dostoyevsky and have been interested in him ever since. That, and a good friend's favorite novel is The Brothers Karamazov. I own that as well as Crime and Punishment...one of these days I'll dive in!
Thank you so much, Amber! I always enjoy seeing your thoughtful comments :)