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blau_elmo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A long, challenging read with many inane rambles (as expected from a Dostoevsky novel), with elements of philosophy, his usual disdain for Russian nihilism and apathy, all through a story involving (surprise) the titular crime, one of pettiness and simple anger.
The way Raskolnikov went from trying to avoid the topic, to trying to justify how only the most dignified men could get away with crime (and that it was honourable to do so), to finding comfort and redemption in Sonya, to being led astray by Svidrigailov's hedonism, the twists and turns combined with Dostoevsky's dark humour was thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking at the same time.
Still, a huge challenge to get through due to its sheer volume of text.
Graphic: Violence and Murder
loyaultemelie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
People who say Dostoevsky had an instinctive understanding of the way humans work are not wrong. The complexity of every character is at times overwhelming. Though Dostoevsky does not refrain from casting moral judgement, he does place everyone and everything within a living, breathing world.
Regardless of how much I dislike Dostoevsky's philosophy later in life. Regardless of how complicated the legacy of 'great' Russian literature is. All these things are important to remember. But I would also be lying to myself if I pretended that this book did not touch me in spite of all of that. I adore this book, plain and simple. I must reckon with that.
Despite my personal loathing for Dostoevsky as a human, I did indeed enjoy this novel. I will say Garnett’s translation is my personal favorite - I believe she captures Dostoevsky’s manic prose better than P&V
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual violence
nereanpi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
maria_borges1507's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Um thriller psicológico (escrito num século em que tal coisa não existia) onde os pensamentos e angústias das personagens são revelados de uma forma absurdamente extraordinária.
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Violence
hitmangirl27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, and Racial slurs
chiaralzr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Antisemitism, and Child abuse
toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Raskolnikov's descent is described in such a gripping way and although it is certainly commentary on the times that Dostoyevsky was writing in, I saw a lot of parallels to today. Raskolnikov is an angry young man who thinks he's so much better than everyone else and so much smarter. He thinks that he has a right to his crime and to the purpose that he thinks it will give him. He is living in a world of desolation and personal despair and lashes out at everyone around him. I couldn't help but think that with Raskolnikov's disdain for human life and desire to be better than those around him, that he would have been a mass shooter if he lived today. Seeking that notoriety and committing horrible acts in the process.
There is also very well-written commentary about relationships between men and women. There are women trapped in horrible relationships with men who continue to treat them badly and bring them low. (Katerina) Women are pushed into making difficult choices, that honestly aren't even choices, as a result of their poverty and their love of their families (Sofya). Women do everything they can to support the men in their lives and are given little to nothing in return (Dunya and Pulkheria). And all of the women in the novel are at the whim and will of men, but the novel is extremely sympathetic to them and is, primarily, on their side.
Vanity and pride are themes that are shown through many of the characters. Vanity is a driver of Raskolnikov's crime. It drives Katerina to embarrass herself publicly, putting herself in a worse physical and financial situation at every turn. Porfriy, the inspector, is driven by pride, at least in part, to find the perpetrator of the titular crime.
I was surprised by how much love and hope were themes of the book. It definitely addressed crime and punishment, depravity and isolation. But there are instances where people are saved by the love of those around them. Like, I closed the book and felt a little like there is hope even when you are at your lowest. That it is never too late to look yourself honestly in the face and commit to change.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Classism, Alcoholism, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Confinement, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Xenophobia, Gore, War, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Pedophilia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Vomit, and Infidelity
marsmartis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Mental illness, Suicide, Murder, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, and Suicide
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Sexual assault
velokei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Moderate: Suicide, Stalking, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Child abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship