Crime and Punishment

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”

It may be fairly ridiculous to give this book “only” four stars, but, despite the great stirring of ideas that I have had while reading it, some of the structure of the book left me wanting. The ideas are myriad, the imagery is fascinating, and I'm sure all of that will continue to impress itself on me for...well, forever. That said, I really think this book could have used an editor, especially the last half or so. Blasphemy, by somebody who just doesn't really “get it”? Maybe.

I'm sure I'll read this again someday, just like I did over 20 years ago, and get a different set of ideas about it–which is, of course, part of what makes it a great book.

This took me insanely long to read... Man... It's not bad, a great book really, just a demanding read every time one picks it up. It probably wasn't the right time in my life to read this I suppose, but at the same time, the final ~100 pages or so is a rousing finish. It also seems a tragedy the novel character of Svidrigailov doesn't truly make an appearance until the novel is nearly ended... Mentioned quickly at the outset but not seen until much later, he truly is a disgusting villain, and a fascinating contrast to the conflicting protagonist of Raskolnikov who is perhaps himself given too much of a pass by Dostoevsky. The best part of this novel to me, as Karamazov and The Idiot before, is the concept of the “Laceration” repeated again. This is finalized and perfected in Karamazov but here it is again present, the nature of human beings to err and to continue in their prideful course to harm others and themselves. Raskolnikov torments those who love him simply to remind himself of their love, it is shameful behavior and alienated me from him as a protagonist. At the same time, it's hard not to see that this is still common behavior today, shame and pride push people beyond all sense. It's a great book, yet again I think Karamazov is still the best synthesis of Dostoevsky's stream of consciousness prose and observations on human nature.

I was looking forward to reading this book with some trepidation which is silly really because I am reading to relax and it shouldn't be work. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't actually turn out to be work but rather an enjoyable, enlightening experience. It was a little confusing in places and seemed quite disjointed in the dialogue but that was the style of the story. I have to say however, that I would like to read a different translation at some point because some of the sentences felt rather literally translated and just didn't seem right. I don't know if this is really the case or whether it was how the story was written in the first place but it would be interesting to see how other translators interpret certain parts of the story.
 
The beautiful Vintage Russian Classics edition of the book was a bit of a pain to read. I don't like breaking spines and so I had terrible cramp in my hands. Thick pages and a thick cover made it difficult to bend the book far enough to be able to hold it comfortably. Maybe I shouldn't be quite so fastidious but we all have our little quirks don't we?

One sentence synopsis... An unstable young man commits a murder (with motives less mercenary than experimental) setting off an epic of suffering and eventual salvation...kinda.

Read it if you like... Kendall's storyline in Succession.

Dream casting... a 20 years younger Jeremy Strong (happy bday, my dude) would be my perfect Raskolnikov but if we're trying to be more age accurate then Nicholas Hoult could also play it. With Caleb Landry Jones as Svidrigailov.

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 a little more than The Brothers Karamazov. Both were fantastic. There's so much depth to the characters, their relationships, and Raskolnikov's internal deliberations. Superb from start to finish.

The Wikipedia page for the book is an interesting read, especially the Background section describing how the book was written.

I read this book a couple of years ago. Before “Crime and Punishment” my favorite author whom I would have wanted to meet if I could, was Charles Dickens. I've read and loved all his books and every Biography written about him.

Then one day, I was bored, and decided that this book, Crime and Punishment, with its many Pages, should keep me busy for a while. Besides it was written by a Russian author and I always wanted to read one of those.

Well, I started reading the book early one afternoon, and I simply couldn't put it down. It was a book of inner conflict, deep psychological issues and human suffering. After “the deed was done”, I was inside the mind of Raskolnikov and could feel his guilt and shame. He was also seeking redemption and his life had not changed but his suffering only became worse. Though he murdered somebody, he was so sorry, that I could also not stop myself from feeling sorry for him. After Crime and Punishment, I read Fyodor Dostoevsky's Autobiography and also the Biography written by his wife. I have read about his life as a prisoner in Siberia and I'm currently reading “The Brothers Karamazov”.

Without a doubt, if you're looking to read a truly deep story, read Crime and Punishment. It was and still is the best book I've ever read, including all those written by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and The Brönte Sisters.

Highly recommend.

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.

I made it though another book I thought would be “too hard” and “too long”. I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. I knew that the story contained a brutal murder and I was of of course horrified by it. However I found that as the book carried on I was able to have empathy for Raskolnikov. There is amazing character development explored in this book. I think I would need to revisit the book several time to gain an understanding of all the psychological, social and political ideas presented. This is a book to be read slowly and contemplated.

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!

I am very glad to have bought the penguin deluxe edition simply because the translation (I think) Is wonderfull and the annotations first class. When you read Dostoevsky you need a well annotated version just because he makes so many references of the times his works were written

In this book Dostoyevsky sends yet another young troubled man into his doom by having him murder a moneylender and his sister for what appears, just for the heck of it. Raskolnikov, much like Nietzche believes that there is really no need for God anymore since the modern human can survive perfectly well without religion, but can Raskolnikov cope with what he did without the Godly salvation? Can life be worth living if it's meaningless. I clearly see the inspiration that Albert Camus and other philosphers got from crime and punishment.

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.

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.

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.

Okay, full disclosure, I hated a lot of things about this book. And yet, there were a lot of things I found important. So without getting into the weeds about why I've decided I (in all likelihood) universally dislike Russian literature, I will simply state that:

A) I think this book is important for what it teaches about the human condition and mankind's relationship to moral crime. While fiction is limited to an expression of the author's perspective, Dostoyevsky lands pretty cleanly in line with my personal viewpoints.

B) The narrative was maddening. I don't often struggle with a meandering narrative—even in novels from the same period don't bother me—unless they're Russian. I'm not sure why that is and my opinion has little bearing on how “good” a story was. A good friend of mine is a Russian scholar, he speaks the language, mingles comfortably in that country and with Russian people, and he loved this book. Perhaps my limitation comes from an ignorance of the Russian psyche and I'm not opposed to owning that truth. That being said, it would take a lot of prodding to get me to read another Russian work of fiction moving forward.

This was interesting, basically, the main character is this young man who is studying law and he is in debt and stuff to this old wicked woman. So he decided killing her would be good for everyone as there's one less parasite for Russia. And he does but then he lives with that burden the whole time acting like crazy, worrying everyone, and is in high-stress mode all the time. He is kind in his heart and his decision wasn't that egoistic as he worries and cares a lot about his family especially his sister who is willing to marry this rich, evil man just so they have money. So the story is basically contemporary with some killings, crimes, and suicide. The characters mostly have good intentions even if they don't seem so. It's an interesting take on if committing a crime is a crime if it was for good and stuff. I actually enjoyed it even though names were confusing as they were pretty similar... Rodia was a very complex and interesting character! Oh, and it's also very focused on religion and God as the way Rodia feels better is through that and many people keep mentioning to pray to God so he forgives his sins. It's an old book but it was pleasant to read!

3.75 porque a ideia e o desenvolvimento humano são realmente incríveis. Eu me vi contando sobre o livro ontem e falando “entendo o hype atemporal: a loucura, a fome, a intelectualidade, o frio, a pobreza, a família: todos valores que são eternos “. Mas o gênero de narrativa não é pra mim, me lembrou O senhor dos anéis, e a qtde de nomes pra uma única pessoa numa única página chega a ser irritante. E se houve personagens ótimos como o famigerado Piotr houve outros que me mataram de irritação. A vdd é que eu esperava amar incondicionalmente esse livro e termino com ele na lista de educadamente admirados que não morarão no meu coração.