Reviews - Crime and Punishment

8.46k reviews for:

Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoevsky

4.15 AVERAGE

anijyi's review against another edition

4.25

challenging

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

booksandbread_'s review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

THIS BOOK!!!
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is an absolute masterwork of psychological depth, moral dilemmas, and existential torment.
Not for the faint of heart.

At its core, the book is a feverish descent into guilt and conscience, following Raskolnikov, a man who commits a murder believing he is above morality, only to unravel under the weight of his own mind. Dostoevsky brilliantly dissects alienation, redemption, and the clash between intellect and emotion, with an unforgettable supporting cast-Sonya’s quiet strength, Porfiry’s psychological traps, and Luzhin’s deliciously despicable arrogance.

What makes this novel so gripping isn’t just its philosophical depth, but its sheer tension throughout-Raskolnikov’s paranoia is palpable, and each conversation feels like a high-stakes battle of wills. The writing (especially in the Michael Katz translation) is sharp, immersive, and eerily modern.

If you love books that explore moral complexity, psychological torment, and the human need for redemption, READ this book, esp. the Katz’s translation.

Absolutely brilliant!!

ellahaugdahl's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Jeg vet ikke helt hva jeg skal si, for jeg har så mange tanker og meninger som bare surrer om hverandre i hodet mitt. Jeg tror ikke jeg kommer til å sove i natt, og tror denne vil komme til å være med meg i en veldig lang stund, kanskje hele livet. Jeg håper iallfall det.

drbigbrowneyes's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Nobody does morally grey like Russian authors, and Dostoevsky is no exception. Crime and Punishment is a deep dive into the mind of a criminal, making us sympathize with Raskolnikov while also recognizing exactly what’s wrong with him. He swings between guilt, denial, and even pride in his crime, keeping us constantly questioning his true nature. Did he always intend to kill, or did something in him change afterward? The novel’s brilliance lies in this ambiguity. This is not just a crime story; it’s a psychological masterpiece.