Crime and Punishment
Ratings819
Average rating4.2
This is the greatest novel I've ever read. Have you ever looked at a painting or listened to a piece of classical music and had strong emotions about it? That's sort of how I feel about the book. Like, you just can't help but look at it and go, “wow that's a great piece of art. Normally I like shitty action movies, but I can tell this is great, even though I don't completely know why”
Read this in high school. Remember very little other than being proud of myself for pronouncing Fyodor Dostoyevsky correctly.
“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”
In the streets of glorious and troubled St. Petersburg, the shadow of a man is wandering aimlessly. He has committed murder by killing a pawnbroker who was evil incarnate. No one would miss her. There is not a single being on Earth that was benefited by her presence. The Devil himself would fear her. So, her blood money can be put to good use, for honest deeds, for relieving the torment of others in an era where poverty and destitution were at large.
But there is no peace. As guilt grows and grows, Raskolnikov's mind descents in an abyss of coldness, doubt, remorse and paranoia. And alongside him, we begin to wonder. Is murder justifiable? Is killing an evil person a righteous act? Do we have the right to ignore balance and take the law into our hands? Do we have the right to feel so superior, so intelligent and strong that we can deal with the results of such an action? And even if we escape unscathed, do we have the required resilience to drive the Furies away? Will have a Sonya to confide in, someone who will support us and share the difficult road towards punishment? Will we have the determination to fight against the Luzhins and Svidrigailovs of the world?
For me, the answer is yes. For others, it may be different. It is for us to decide the depth of the crimes and the severity of the punishments.
What more can be said about THE novel, about the most complex, the most perfect literary work ever produced by the human mind, about the powerful questions it poses for each one of us, about its ability to hold a mirror for us to confront ourselves, our values and convictions? About Fyodor Dostoevsky to whom we owe so much as readers, as human beings?
“What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?”
Read Dostoevsky in order:
1 Crime and Punishment
2 Notes from the underground
3 Demons
4 The Idiot
5 The brothers Karamazov
Первые главы, пронизанные идеей, её формированием и то как главный герой решается на поступок , чтобы доказать себе самому своё место в обществе - потрясающе. А все, что начинается после недельного нытья в кровати - полный бред. Дропнула, ибо не согласна с автором. Если принял решение и совершил поступок - встречай последствия в свою пользу, а не будь соплежуем.
Truly an amazing book! I’m sorry it took me so long to decide to read it.
I've just finished reading “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and what a journey it's been. This book is a real rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Dostoevsky's skill in getting into characters' heads is truly impressive. The way he portrays the psychological turmoil of the main character after committing murder is intense and believably human. His descriptive powers are off the charts too - you can practically see the gritty, poverty-stricken streets of St. Petersburg and feel the weight of the characters' emotions.
The book starts off a bit slow, but the second half really picks up, diving deep into psychological thriller territory. However, it's not always an easy read. The Russian names are a real challenge to remember and pronounce, which made keeping track of characters a bit of a headache for me. There's also a lot of what feels like unnecessary detail and “waffling” in parts of the book, which can test your patience.
One thing that stood out was Dostoevsky's unique conversation style. Characters often speak in long, unbroken monologues that can be both fascinating and frustrating. It's like the author doesn't want to give you a chance to catch your breath!
Despite these challenges, the book has a way of suddenly grabbing your interest just when you think it's getting boring. It keeps you engaged, even if it's not always comfortable. The ending, in my opinion, was perfect - wrapping up the story in a satisfying way.
Overall, while “Crime and Punishment” met many of my expectations, especially in terms of psychological depth and descriptive power, it was also a bit underwhelming in some aspects. The pacing issues and sometimes excessive detail can be challenging for modern readers.
I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's a classic for a reason, but it's not without its quirks. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you're into deep psychological exploration and don't mind a challenging read. Just be prepared for a bit of a mental workout!
This is a great book! I was not expecting to be so pro-Christianity but I suppose it makes sense for 1860s Russia. However it is not a Christian book outright; the book deals with suffering, whether it be self-inflicted or not. Christianity is viewed as a solution to suffering; but paradoxically will lead to suffering. Raskolinov was given the choice to hold the suffering within by committing suicide or running off to America (which might be Savidrigaliov for committing suicide) or embrace eight years of suffering in Siberia to which Christianity supports what is just by confessing one's sins.
There were so many emotional moments from Raskolinov's discussion with Marmeldov and his whole miserable life story to Raskolinov's final meeting with his mother. The characters were very well developed and even antagonists like Luzhin were given time to explore their mentality and why they are doing it. Raskolinov can be considered the antagonist but those around him do not want him to suffer without God but to suffer with God as Porfidry suggests. This shows that suffering does not have to be in isolation.
Dostoevsky likely experienced much suffering in his life to speak of it in such raw and illogical methods.
DNF'd a long time ago. I tried to read it as an 18 year old. It was the summer holidays, I read this while baking in the sun between nights spent going out with friends. I was off to uni in September and this book just fell out of my life. It's ten years later and I still haven't come round to finishing it (or university). Also, I was reading a Hungarian translation - not usually an issue, but I was never a fan of Russian literature Hungarian translations.
Update for new attempt: I picked this out as my commute read a few moons ago in an effort to finish at least one Russian classic. It surprised me. Life has evidently given me a lot to ruminate over since I was 18. I found myself reflected in Raskolnikov's character. This time I saw depth and complexity where before I fell asleep in boredom. Maybe some books just require maturity.
Final Rating: 4.75
Raskolnikov is an all time iconic character. Loved the dark atmosphere, felt like I was in the side streets of St Petersburg watching Raskolnikov go about his business. Had me hooked from first to last page.
My 2nd Dostoevsky novel, the first was TBK. The characters in this explode off the page, there's an exuberance that I'm never quite ready for but always draws me in. I loved this book, it's moral (the pensive reflection that is contagious), there are great characters and monsters at times, great foils, and the ending. THE ENDING. Just so beautiful, honest and perfect.
My first Fyodor Dostoevsky, i didn't regret it weirdly enough. That novel had a very interesting, mysterious flavour, one that i really liked. I found myself connecting with the characters and living inside the book. 10 outta 10
Bij tweede lezing viel me op hoe ongelooflijk abstract dit boek is. Hoe is het mogelijk dat ik het als achttienjarige geweldig vond?
There was crime and then there was punishment.
600 page rebuttal of utilitarianism.
Fever dream.
I know this is a classic and hailed as a great literary achievement... but I just wasn't feeling it.
Raskolnikov murders two women, hailing himself a hero. He believes the world will be a better place, even though things hadn't gone according to plan. As time goes on, deep-seated guilt slowly takes him over, especially as suspicion arises.
For a book nearly 700 pages long, there isn't a lot of action or much of anything interesting in general. Maybe it was profound for its time, but I found it painfully boring compared to other books with similar themes. Part one was promising enough but then the rest of the book droned on. It just wasn't for me.
Had really high estimations, but i think they were fulfilled.
A thing that wondered me that i was quite entertained all 700 pages of it, even when ˜350 pages were just two days. Will need to take some time to understand it.
One thing i can recommend to readers is to make some form of table or mind-map to keep track of all the names, nicknames and maybe even connections, on too many pages i encountered some character i wasn't quite aware of, simply because i always forgot all the names.
On the last day of 2022 I finished reading this masterpiece. It took me a long time, it's not a light novel and I was not doing so well mentally to read it in one sitting, but I don't regret taking my time with it. One of my favorite books ever, can't wait to dive in some more Dostoevsky. Cheers to 2023.
My first Dostoevsky book!
The thing I liked about this (but it was also creepy, and thriller-vibes) were getting a glimpse of Raskolnikov's downfall with his psychological thoughts, dreams, and actions, eventually testing himself and his words. The comparison between Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov was also a great way to look at consequences and ways of "redemption". Though, both were creepy in their own ways *sweat* Some parts I struggled with and kind of skimmed due to very long paragraphs or dialogues. I appreciated this translated version - maybe one day I can pick up a different one and compare!
Crime and Punishment throws you into a dark, danky world where a fetid rot emanates from each page. I would read the book, put it down and get the feeling that a thin layer of grease had covered me head to toe. I can understand it's appeal and reverence through the years but I found it difficult to settle into the prose and tangential conversation. Dostoevsky puts you right in the mind of Rodin, it's a little unsettling how immersed you are in the mind of the protagonist. This was a grind, glad to have completed it and emerge intact.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Characters, moral questions raise, monologues, emotions were deep and very relatable.
The lesson is that I should read classics more.