Dostoevsky's Incarnational Realism - by Paul J Contino (Hardcover)

About the Book

Contino offers a theological study of Dostoevsky's final novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He argues that incarnational realism animates the vision of the novel, and the decisions and actions of its hero, Alyosha Fyodorovich Karamazov. The book takes a close look at Alyosha's mentor, the Elder Zosima, and the way his role as a confessor and his vision of responsibility "to all, for all" develops and influences Alyosha. The remainder of the study, which serves as a kind of reader's guide to the novel, follows Alyosha as he takes up the mantle of his elder, develops as a "monk in the world," and, at the end of three days, ascends in his vision of Cana.

Book Synopsis

In this book Paul Contino offers a theological study of Dostoevsky's final novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He argues that incarnational realism animates the vision of the novel, and the decisions and actions of its hero, Alyosha Fyodorovich Karamazov. The book takes a close look at Alyosha's mentor, the Elder Zosima, and the way his role as a confessor and his vision of responsibility ""to all, for all"" develops and influences Alyosha. The remainder of the study, which serves as a kind of reader's guide to the novel, follows Alyosha as he takes up the mantle of his elder, develops as a ""monk in the world,"" and, at the end of three days, ascends in his vision of Cana. The study attends also to Alyosha's brothers and his ministry to them: Mitya's struggle to become a ""new man"" and Ivan's anguished groping toward responsibility. Finally, Contino traces Alyosha's generative role with the young people he encounters, and his final message of hope.

Review Quotes

"Paul J. Contino's book is a penetrating and loving exploration of Dostoevsky's masterwork and the Christic imagination which inspires and shapes it. As we follow Alyosha's spiritual maturation, the reader comes away not only better informed, but better for the experience. More than merely illuminating, Contino's study generously offers discernment and wisdom."
--Robert Imbelli, author of Rekindling the Christic Imagination

"Paul J. Contino's avowedly Catholic reading of Dostoevsky's great Orthodox novel shows how Dostoevsky's 'hero, ' Alyosha Karamazov, is more than just a naïve youth or holy fool. Rather, he exemplifies a Christian personalism that combines Christ-like humility with a realistic view of the good and bad in others and the practical sense to apply this knowledge for their benefit. As such he becomes a model for all concerned with the fate of personality in the modern world."
--George Pattison, University of Glasgow

"Paul J. Contino is the Wendell Berry of Dostoevsky criticism. Dostoevsky's Incarnational Realism dares to ask the old question: 'Can reading a work of literature make one a better person?' Going against the grain of recent analyses, Contino emphasizes the cataphatic over the apophatic to offer a penetrating account of Dostoevsky's Christianity through an original reading of The Brothers Karamazov that will inspire and challenge believers, agnostics, and atheists alike."
--Robin Feuer Miller, Brandeis University

About the Author

Paul Contino is Professor of Great Books at Seaver College, Pepperdine University.