Crime and Punishment in Who Doesn't Love a Classic?

Jan 26, 2009 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 19th-century, classic, favorite, book-club, psychology, own, crime, concierge, library, literature

I first read this book in high school and was mesmerized. When my book club was considering reading some classics, I recommended it, and I find that I still love the book. It is a classic psychological thriller.

First reading: April 1966

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Nov 28, 2010 Helena rated it really liked it

I鈥檇 always been somewhat intimidated by Russian literature, but I decided that I鈥檇 tackle an Russian author or two this year as a sort of literary new year鈥檚 resolution. I started with Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and it really wasn鈥檛 a difficult read at all. The names are somewhat confusing but thanks to a friend鈥檚 crash course and my own experience with languages, it really took very little getting used to. I can see how it would be difficult though to keep track of all the chara I鈥檇 always been somewhat intimidated by Russian literature, but I decided that I鈥檇 tackle an Russian author or two this year as a sort of literary new year鈥檚 resolution. I started with Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and it really wasn鈥檛 a difficult read at all. The names are somewhat confusing but thanks to a friend鈥檚 crash course and my own experience with languages, it really took very little getting used to. I can see how it would be difficult though to keep track of all the characters. The language was beautiful and I鈥檓 thinking of getting a good audio version just so I can hear all of the names pronounced properly. The settings also are described beautifully and Dostoyevsky draws you in easily. Crime and Punishment is about Rodya Raskolnikov, a student that plans and carries out a murder and his subsequent internal struggles. Rodya鈥檚 motives are never really explained in a concrete way as he seems to vacillate between murdering to prove to himself that he could actually commit the crime, justifying the murder because he was ridding the world of a parasite, and finally just for financial gain.

I was firmly on the side of the intrepid detective Porfiry Petrovich, and not at all sympathetic to Rodya- which seems to be a less popular view. I won鈥檛 say anything else about Rodya鈥檚 crimes so as not to give away the story other than to say that Dostoyevsky brilliantly captures the internal struggle of a criminal trying to justify his crimes, but failing miserably.

The rest of the characters were great, my favourites being Dmitri Prokofich Razumikhin and Rodya鈥檚 sister Dunya. Favourite quote:
鈥�"you think I am attacking them for talking nonsense? Not a bit! I like them to talk nonsense. That's man's one privilege over all creation. Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen. And a fine thing, too, in its way; but we can't even make mistakes on our own account! Talk nonsense, but talk your own nonsense, and I'll kiss you for it. To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's. In the first case you are a man, in the second you're no better than a bird. Truth won't escape you, but life can be cramped." ~ Razumikhin

I鈥檝e heard that much of the intensity is lost in translation. I found it quite intense, however, I wish I could read Russian! I really enjoyed Crime and Punishment and it鈥檚 not nearly as scary as it looks, yes lengthy- but not tedious at all. ...more

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Aug 08, 2016 Audra Bridges rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books

Kept me interested to the end. Seemed to have two plots instead of one, but all in all, I enjoyed it.

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Jun 04, 2012 Sydne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classic, russia, russian-literature, murder, classic-literature, psychology, dostoevsky, paranoia, poverty, ethics

If you ever have to explain the feeling of guilt and coming to terms with major wrong-doings to anyone, this book is the best to show a perfect depiction: from committing an almost "justified" and understandable murder (in the terms of fiction, of course, therefore allowing more leeway for unlawful behaviour for storytelling effects) to being a man completely crippled by guilt and remorse, the main character depicts all the tragedy and pain of taking someone's life. A classic read. ...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Mark rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I found it difficult to like Rashkolnikov finding him cold, whining,melodramatic, and not very smart. I struggled with the idea that everyone in the book liked him despite his odd and sometimes violent behavior. Dostoevsky is such a good writer that I had little trouble continuing, but I must say I liked other books of his more.

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