Reviews

If you want to do some personal reflection, and think about some of life's more difficult moral questions, this is a great place to start.

I think we all have at least a little bit of Raskolnikov in us. Places in our lives where we feel, hopefully to a lesser degree than Raskolnikov, superior to others. Some questions that this book sparked for me:

-What causes someone like Raskolnikov to feel superior as a person to others?
-Are there places in my life where I feel superior to others? How do I get rid of those areas?
-How do bad role models affect my behavior? (Rakolnikov used the example of Napoleon to justify himself many times throughout the book.)
-What effects do these types of role models have on those who are much younger than me? Are the effects different based on age or maturity?
-If I were somehow put in Raskolnikov's place and had just committed a murder, how would I handle myself? Would I confess quickly? If so, what would my motivation be for confessing?
-How come it is that we have to work our entire lives to become a better better, but you can undo all of your hard work with one bad decision in one second?
-Can you be forgiven of murder?
-The fact that Raskolnikov felt guilt, what does that mean? If you are truly a bad person, are you beyond feeling guilt, or does murder automatically make you a bad person?

Beyond the questions that the book sparked, for me, I think it is important to note how great of a writer Dostoevsky is. Not only is he able to write a compelling story, but he is able to create his characters with what seems like a deep reality. The way his characters interact with each other and the thoughts that they have; there isn't anything superficial about his writing at all.

It took me a while to get through the book, and I found it frustrating that Dostoevsky would refer to the same character by three different names all on the same page, but because I was reading it as an ebook, I was able to keep track of who was who more easily. Oh, also, I didn't know what a yellow card was until very late into the book. That would have helped a little. I'm sure there are plenty of other details that I missed, too. However, I don't think it detracted from my experience.

Lastly, I will say that if I read this book even a year ago, I don't think I would have liked it nearly as much. I wouldn't say that it's a light read. If you aren't really into asking yourself these types of questions, or thinking about human behavior and psychology (not that I know anything about those things, but I am interested in them), then this book might feel too long and drawn out. I think the real genius of the book is how Dostoevsky was able to really make you feel like you are Raskolnikov.

farnizzle's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

moira_gibbons's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

lestradez0's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoy reading it. The problem is that Crime and Punishment is a difficult book to read. Especially for those seeking adventure or something thrilling in their reading. You'd end up finishing the book before it reached its climax. But, if I had to sum it up, what makes this book so special? Then I'd say in one sentence, "the Philosophy of Right and Wrong, Good and Evil.

The novel provides a unique perspective, a new way of thinking about how to determine what is right and wrong. What I've learned from the book is that it's difficult to distinguish between crimes. This crime cannot be said to be worse than another crime.

It is not just about crime, but about the outcome of an entire act. Sometimes what appears to be a minor offence turns out to be far worse than many other crimes in society. It's just that you can't just look at one point and draw a conclusion.

Moreover, Dostoevsky also brings a good point on Kantian philosophy and Utilitarianism. Kantian philosophy refers to the belief that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action (utilitarianism). Raskolnikov holds a utilitarian view where the reason for his "killing" is for the greater good (according to him). However, is that really the case? if we are looking from a deontological perspective (Kantian philosophy), his action is deemed to be wrong as killing itself is wrong no matter the purpose or reason behind it. In this case, it makes me wonder whether one should hold Kantian philosophy or utilitarianism better?

Moreover, what's best about this book is that it doesn’t come up with any conclusion. It just gives you a hint of rethinking your entire self again. Then you finally become confused and might even forget who you really are.

anteus7's review against another edition

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5.0

It's been a loooong time since I've read this one. It still stands up.

I enjoy Dostoyevsky's characters. They are all intense (in their own ways) but manage to stay mostly believable. I like that he deals with how we all have socially unacceptable thoughts sometimes. Roskalnikov has a great many of them and is in no way meant to be a hero to emulate but is a compelling character. His compulsions and contradictory reactions to his own actions make him a character to be pitied, but definitely not a character to model one's life after.

Porfirey is probably my favorite character, though. His approach to investigation is fun to read. He's infuriating. I'm glad I'm not an axe murderer being investigated by him.

thechaliceofaries's review against another edition

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5.0

One of the most delightful novels I have ever read. There is not much I can say that hasn't already been said by thousands of reviewers before me - it's safe to suffice that reading this was worth every single moment. Dostoevsky does such a dazzling job weaving complex philosophical themes into an emotionally rich plot. His characters are so full of life, each so realistically nuanced in terms of their behaviors and motivations. Raskolnikov is a protagonist unlike any I've encountered before, and probably ever will again. Tumbling along in his disorientated stream of consciousness, piecing together the contradictory shards of his psychology, trying to understand every step of his actions along the way - by the end of the novel I feel like I developed such a strong attachment to him. As grim and cold as some of his actions were, as monstrous his crimes, I couldn't help but be on my Rodya's side all the way. He is the perfect exemplification of an anti-hero; a villain who is not quite evil and for whom redemption always seems just out of reach. Dostoevsky has a gift for deconstructing the human psyche and presenting it to the reader for judgement, as though we were psychologists observing patients. Viewing the characters' complicated emotions through his analytical narrative, I experienced an endless range of emotions: compassion, joy, anxiety, revulsion, astonishment, and more.

Some of the most memorable scenes in the book take place between Raskolnikov and the detective Porfiry Petrovich. The tension is truly palpable while reading those pages and it was so incredibly nerve-wracking. There really isn't a single boring character in this book, or even a single event which comes across as unimportant to the unfolding of the whole plot. The reader is probed with thought-provoking questions throughout, such as - can evil be justified? We are asked to study the motivations of Raskolnikov's crime, to assess the merit of its punishment. Is, for example, the guilt and paranoia following his murderous act a punishment in itself?

Everything is just so masterfully done; the pacing, the drama, the incredible dialogues. Being privy to Raskolnikov's endless downward spirals was both fascinating and terrifying. I felt everything he felt, every mad rush of emotion, every spark of irritation and anger, every moment of fear or contempt. I am just so, so in awe of the whole book. It has definitely earned its title as a true masterpiece of classic literature, and is a novel that I know I will be returning to several times over the rest of my life.

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