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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
green_meerkat'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
croy3006's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Gaslighting
sandy_21'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
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Antisemitism
thymee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Antisemitism, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
debsiew76'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness and Suicide
clavishorti'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
‘But why are you so pale, Rodion Romanovitch? Is the room stuffy? Shall I open the window?’
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Antisemitism
aliciawithoutkeys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Antisemitism
3arth2kaye's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism
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: Death, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder