Introduction [by Mark]

Current interests and activities--

Student of Feldenkrais practitioner (and my partner) Joanie French, Awareness through Movement classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Zoom dialogue with best friend of 38 years Pat Geier, discussing the works of Frecnch philosopher Pierre Hadot on Mondays and Fridays

Beginner in Kitchen "Literacy" 101, aided by chef, former student, psychiatrist and artist Dr. Nima Sheth, who recently sent us an Instapot (which I had never heard of)

Correspondent with numerous friends, far and near, aim to send a letter each day out via USPS

Compiler of 4th book, Dear Love of Comrades, mindful shout out of gratitude to friends  over the last ten years

With Liz Burkemper in Troy; we've changed  probably 150 pieces of mail in last few years.

"The Rules" [post by Mark]

I came across these  rules several years ago; they were evidently posted on the wall of this art department where Sister Corita Kent taught in the 60s.

See if any of them speak to you as far as our current endeavor.

The Brothers Karamazov Online [by Mark]

Here is Constance Garnett's 1912 translation at Project Gutenberg.

Here is Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky's 1992 translation.

Resources [by Mark]

This site has an overview of Dostoevsky's life, as well as a list of characters, summary, and critical evaluation  of  The Brothers Karamazov.

This Cliff's Notes site has a more extensive range of  material on the novel.

Why Spend Time with Dostoevsky [by Mark]

I recently read Joseph Frank's Lectures on Dostoevsky, and found this early in the book:

Dostoevsky is not a writer to struggle through or with, but one who tries to make his work as interesting and exciting—and as readable—as possible. His works raise some of the deepest moral and philosophical issues of Western culture, but he also wanted to keep his readers interested.

Humanisms [by Mark]

I'm reading a gripping book right now: A. Anatoli (Kuznetsov)'s Babi Yar: A Document in the Form of a Novel. Here's an excerpt from this morning--

Two lorries drove out of the gateway of St Sophia’s cathedral, carrying something covered over with tarpaulin: once again they were carting off some loot. It was very odd: every tenth word they used was the word ‘culture’-‘the centuries-old German culture’, ‘the cultural revival of the world’, ‘the whole culture of mankind depends on the suc­cesses of German arms’ . . . It sounded fine; it was amazing what you can do with words.

This culture of theirs consisted, in effect, in their clearing every single thing out of the museums, using the manuscripts from the Ukrainian Academy for wrapping paper, taking pot-shots with their revolvers at statues, mirrors and grave­ stones-indeed at anything that offered itself as a target. That, it appeared, was the revival of culture.

And then there was the humanism. German humanism was the greatest in the world ; the German Army was the most humane army, and everything it did was only to further German humanism. No, not just humanism, but GERMAN humanism, the most noble, intelligent and purposeful of all possible humanisms.

Writing in the margins by Chris

 

I found this writing in the margins of  Du Fu A Life in Poetry,  read in another book club led by Mark.  Looking forward to new margin notes in the Brothers Karamazov.  

Waiting in a coffee shop

Mother’s Day

are our lives

colliding or coinciding

sometimes it is hard to tell

the coffee is warm and good

Du Fu awaits

perhaps I should enjoy the calm

before the storm

Announcement

 “The fault I find with our journalism is that it forces us to take an interest in some fresh triviality or other every day, whereas only three or four books in a lifetime give us anything that is of real importance.” –Charles Swann, in Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust

“Never be frightened at your own faintheartedness in attaining love, and meanwhile do not even be very frightened by your own bad acts. I am sorry that I can not say anything more comforting, for active love is a harsh and fearful thing compared with love in dreams. Love in dreams thirsts for immediate action, quickly performed, and with everyone watching. Indeed, it will go as far as the giving of one’s life, provided it does not take long but is soon over, as on stage, and everyone is looking on and praising. Whereas active love is labor and perseverance, and for some people, perhaps, a whole science.” —The Views of Father Zosima in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Book I, Part Two, Chapter 4)

 

I invite you to be part of a small group of readers to take on or get reacquainted with one of the world’s great novels, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.  I will facilitate small and large group discussions; share resources on the novel, author, and contexts; assist in making connections to contemporary issues; and encouraging everyone to  pull what is most significant from the novel in the spirit of the following from George Steiner:  “In a manner evident and yet