Book Talk: Freedom and Suffering in The Brothers Karamazov

Nathan Nielson, Founder and Director of Books & Bridges, will explore the deep spiritual puzzles in Dostoyevsky’s parable The Grand Inquisitor. This chapter forms the heart of The Brothers Karamazov and, along with the chapter Mutiny, excavates philosophical ground that the soul scarcely dares touch. Drawing on a lifelong study of Russian literature, Nielson shows the perennial relevance of this masterpiece and how it shapes our modern mind. In these dialogues, the characters Ivan and Alyosha wrestle the stakes of the universe and make creation shake with questions so heavy they sink to the bottom. Here we face our own feeble freedom and flinch at the terrifying reality of human suffering. But the discussion ends on a hopeful note, grasping at glimpses of grace and redemption. A Q&A and refreshments will follow.

This event is organized by Books & Bridges — a humanities forum of ideas and conversation. Our mission…