Reviews with content warning for Death - Crime and Punishment

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Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

117 reviews

idiotela123's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF ALL TIME (including Frankenstein). It may be a tough read at first, and all the character's names are difficult to grasp. But it captures the ideals of morality so well. It did send me into a bit of a slump, so I recommend to not read it unless you want to have an existential crisis and rethink your whole entire life. It's very dark and challenging to read, but impossible to put down. I must say Dostoyevsky did a very good job at this book.

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cmcrockford's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Stilted maybe, repetitive yes, especially the way it's translated here, but this is exactly what I needed to read right now, similar to Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki.

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woolgathering_jane's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

“Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing.”

I had way different expectations about what this book was actually about, but once I got over my initial disappointment, I quite enjoyed it. For this many pages, it's surprisingly easy to read and offers a fascinating view of Russia at the time. I love how Dostoevsky plays with the themes in this book - in peak realist literature, we follow a main character who thinks of himself as a true romantic hero (while he is, in reality, a typical realistic one). I loved how vivid all of the characters were. The look into Raskolnikov's mind was fascinating, but I found myself wishing for more detail (as odd as it sounds).
And in my eyes, the ending, the last chapter elevated the story to a whole another level.

I'm in love with how Raskolnikov chose love and a good ending for himself, and how Dostoevsky signalled to us that no person is ever completely lost. I like the sharp contrast between the main story and the ending - the main story is rather depressing and bleak, while the ending is so hopeful. And I also love how, in retrospect, we were heading to this ending the whole time - despite all of his mistakes, Raskolnikov was dearly loved by several people the whole time. And the unconditional love was what saved him in the end. Beautiful.

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green_meerkat's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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sandy_21's review against another edition

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challenging funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

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debsiew76's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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clavishorti's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

‘But why are you so pale, Rodion Romanovitch? Is the room stuffy? Shall I open the window?’

In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s monumental opus, Crime and Punishment, readers are beckoned to traverse the vast seas of human emotion and navigate the seldom-explored labyrinth of morality. Against the intricate social tapestry of 19th-century Russia, Dostoevsky orchestrates a mesmerizing masterpiece that portrays both the shadows and the brilliance in a single, sweeping epic.

The very title of the book hints at a symphony of words, where “crime” and “punishment” merely protrude above the surface, akin to the visible peaks of an iceberg. We are compelled to contemplate whether the legal apparatus perennially functions as the custodian of justice alongside the central figure, Rodión Románovich Raskólnikov (Raskolnikov). Through a soul-stirring odyssey of extremes, we plunge into the depths of his destiny. However, Dostoevsky, with profound brilliance, delves beyond the mere realms of redemption.

The foundational themes of poverty and social inequality stand as robust pillars, illustrating the authentic tribulations of characters ensnared within a harsh societal milieu. With unparalleled acumen, Dostoevsky unravels the psychological and emotional repercussions of poverty, charting a course through a morally challenging terrain.

Within the realm of human psychology and the psyche, Dostoevsky constructs a sophisticated and intriguing inner cartography. Readers are guided through the corridors of profound thoughts, experiencing the undulating waves of emotions and the inevitable moral tensions. Amidst the tumult, there exists a glimmer of hope, particularly embodied in the character of Sonia, providing profound emotional counterpoints.

Themes of religion and spirituality, though subtly interwoven amidst the shadows of transgressions, introduce a transcendent dimension to the narrative. Questions pertaining to redemption and the significance of faith emerge as soulful summons, imparting a profound spiritual nuance to the tale.

The author adeptly leads readers through a journey of shadows and enlightenment, elevating Crime and Punishment beyond the realm of mere literature; it becomes a reflective tapestry of life that beckons exploration into the enduring nature of morality and the inner odyssey of humanity. Reading this work is akin to navigating a profound labyrinth of emotions, where each page unfolds not as mere text but as a series of portals revealing the inner landscapes of its characters, particularly Raskolnikov.

The plot, replete with unexpected turns and the psychological intricacies of the main characters, succeeds in both unsettling and enthralling the reader. In particular, the tale of Sonia and Raskolnikov presents a whirlwind of emotions that elude easy articulation. Raskolnikov’s decisions and their consequences create a moral dynamism, pulling readers into a maelstrom of dark and melancholic sentiments. Readers don’t merely peruse the story; they undergo it, with each emotion delving so profoundly that empathy and engagement in the inner journey become inevitable.

The author efficaciously conjures a haunting atmosphere, immersing readers into the dark and somber psychological terrain of Raskolnikov. Readers seemingly stand by his side, feeling the tension and the inescapable internal strife. Personally, I find Constance Garnett’s translation of Crime and Punishment delivers Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic work into English with a captivating narrative richness. Garnett adeptly captures the intricacies of the Russian language, enabling English readers to feel the darkness and perplexity that permeate the inner worlds of the characters, particularly the protagonist, Raskolnikov.

Garnett provides a gateway into Raskolnikov’s psychological realm, rendering readers witnesses to his shadowy journey. Despite being acknowledged as an exceptional literary work, Crime and Punishment may pose challenges for some readers. The language employed is considered intricate and perplexing, possibly less accommodating for readers who prefer a lighter and more direct writing style.

Some may also perceive that certain characters in the novel are overly one-dimensional. For instance, the character of Sonia might appear excessively “virtuous” and lacking in the nuanced complexity of authentic humanity. Some readers might anticipate characters that are more authentic and intricate. Nonetheless, Crime and Punishment remains a work that entices us to delve deeper into contemplation about life and morality. Despite its complexity, the book retains its inherent allure, prompting contemplation on the intricacies of human life amid all its paradoxes.

With the conclusion of Crime and Punishment, we not only close a book but emerge from a complex labyrinth of the soul. With Dostoevsky’s unparalleled craftsmanship and Garnett’s translation, we are presented with a work of art that immerses us in a carnival of emotions, provoking philosophical questions that reverberate long after the book is sealed. As readers, we are not mere spectators; we walk alongside wounded characters seeking redemption. Through moral and psychological complexity, this novel beckons us to reflect on the nature of humanity, etching an enduring legacy in literature by illuminating beauty within darkness and truth.

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3arth2kaye's review against another edition

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4.0

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loyaultemelie's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

Edit: Though I initially left Crime and Punishment unrated, I must capitulate to the inevitable. This was my second favorite book I read in 2023. It made me discover (much to my self-loathing) one of my favorite authors. I think about this book, almost every. single. day. It would be the height of folly for me not to give Crime and Punishment five stars.

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.

We know why Rodya commits murder. We also understand the acuteness of both his suffering, and of his arrogance. He believed that he could be a 'great man,' but instead it was he - not Sonya, who he tells this often misquoted and misunderstood out of context line to - whose 'worst sin is that [he's] betrayed and destroyed [himself] for nothing.' That we the audience, and Sonya herself, sees this while he doesn't is proof of masterful writing.

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

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valreadssometimes's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

Reading this was a punishment.

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