The Brothers Karamazov is a novel based in Russia in the mid-1800's, about four brothers and their wild father. The consequences of the father's actions reverberate throughout the sons' lives. The sons are Mitya, Ivan, Alyosha, and the bastard son Smerdyakov.

The brothers converge on the family home, each with a different agenda. The father, Fyodor, is a devious buffoon who loves to manipulate his sons and cause friction in the town. There are several incidents where Fyodor enrages Mitya, treats the other sons badly, and then, Fyodor is found dead. The town suspects Mitya, but the brothers suspect the bastard son, Smerdyakov, of killing Fyodor. Mitya has rushed to a nearby town to seduce Grushenka, but is quickly arrested and imprisoned. Ivan spends his time pursuing Mitya's previous fiancé, Katarina, and Alyosha is mourning the death of his mentor. Alyosha leaves the monastery to...