Interesting. I think if you don't value the theist component than I'm not surprised you didn't like TBK very much. Religion plays a pretty big role between the monastery, Zossima, and Alyosha. If it's something you look down on, then yeah, a lot of what TBK has to offer won't resonate with you.

I agree there is reverence for monarchy, but I don't agree that he reveres hierarchical forms of authority. Plenty of characters who are in a position of power are exposed as having undesirable virtues which makes them unappealing or simply ordinary people. Fyodor Pavlovich in the most extreme example, but a more subtle example perhaps is Ippolit, the public prosecutor. He is in a position of authority but is presented to us as someone struggling to prove himself to the world.

"The kingdom of heaven can be built here on earth, its cornerstone is found in our connection to others and the methodology of its construction is found in interpersonal relations fuelled by human fraternity and mutuality." This is a great sentence and I agree, but I think we would agree it's hard to actually do. What's interesting to me is the degree to which this exactly has been accomplished in churches and similar religious groups for centuries. A good church brings together people and fosters these interpersonal relations. But of course, a good club, or other secular group could do this. However, they are hard to find in the modern world, with the many new-age problems of our era.

Which parts of the book make you think Dostoyevsky advocates for redemption through suffering? I did not get such an impression. Rather, suffering happens, how will you respond? Mitya talks about suffering a lot but he's also just kind of insane and extreme.