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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Una obra, tiene una forma de narrar las emociones de forma impecable. Excelente
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
hefty read. interesting!
Crime and Punishment marks the first book I read by Dostoyevsky, and it certainly won’t be my last. This book follows the young and egotistical Raskolnikov and his guilty conscience. Raskolnikov who, seeing an elderly pawn woman as a “lesser” being because of her cruelty and because his own level of intelligence, believes it to be no crime to murder her, as it would also be a benefit to society. The rest of the story follows the aftermath of this crime and his turmoil and denial of remorse.
“Crime? What crime? ... My killing a loathsome, harmful louse, a filthy old moneylender woman
who brought no good to anyone, to murder whom would pardon forty sins, who sucked the
lifeblood of the poor, and you call that a crime ?”
It’s apparent in this book that the author believes one must admit and embrace suffering in order to gain moral redemption, a very anti-nihilistic point of view. It’s rare to find an author who makes his characters’ emotions seem so true-to-life and authentic, but Dostoyevesky did a marvelous job of achieving just that.
“Crime? What crime? ... My killing a loathsome, harmful louse, a filthy old moneylender woman
who brought no good to anyone, to murder whom would pardon forty sins, who sucked the
lifeblood of the poor, and you call that a crime ?”
It’s apparent in this book that the author believes one must admit and embrace suffering in order to gain moral redemption, a very anti-nihilistic point of view. It’s rare to find an author who makes his characters’ emotions seem so true-to-life and authentic, but Dostoyevesky did a marvelous job of achieving just that.
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My second visit to the first of Dostoevsky’s great novels, with renewed appreciation. The theme of the moral resurrection of a tormented, confused axe murderer is fascinating, but I really loved the secondary characters, especially the demonstrative Razumikhin, pompous suitor Luzhin, and humorous, cagey Inspector Porfiry Petrovich (a direct model for TV’s Inspector Columbo). All the characters are well-drawn, and despite the horrific details of Raskolnokov’s crime and his (initial) evasion of punishment, there’s a heart beating at the center of everything.
Three stars instead of two just because Dunia pulls a gun on Svidrigaylov (baddie).
Crime and Punishment is a psychological thriller that wrestles with the concepts of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. The narrative revolves around Raskolnikov's belief that he is an extraordinary individual, above the common laws that govern ordinary people. This belief leads him to commit the murder of a pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, whom he deems a parasite on society. Raskolnikov rationalizes the murder as a means to achieve a greater good, but the act quickly plunges him into psychological torment that dominates the rest of the novel.
One of the central themes of the novel is the conflict between reason and morality. Raskolnikov's crime is not a result of impulsive passion but rather a calculated decision based on a philosophical theory. He is influenced by utilitarian ideas and the notion of the "Übermensch" (superman) — a person who transcends conventional morality to achieve greatness. However, the novel ultimately reveals the flaw in this reasoning. Raskolnikov's intellectual justifications for the murder crumble under the weight of his guilt, showing that moral transgressions cannot be so easily rationalized.
Dostoevsky's insight into the psychology of crime is remarkable. He delves deep into Raskolnikov's thoughts, revealing his internal conflicts, rationalizations, and justifications for murder. The novel explores the idea that crime is not just a social or legal issue but a deeply personal and psychological one. Raskolnikov's crime is born out of his intellectual arrogance, his sense of alienation, and his desperate need to prove himself superior. These are all factors that modern criminal profilers might consider when analyzing the motivations behind a crime.
Dostoevsky's portrayal of the police investigator, Porfiry Petrovich, resembles the methods of modern profilers. Porfiry uses psychological tactics to unsettle Raskolnikov, subtly probing his mind and behavior to elicit a confession. He understands that solving the crime is not just about gathering evidence but also about understanding the criminal's psychology. This approach mirrors the techniques used in criminal profiling, where investigators seek to understand the mind of the offender to solve the case.
The novel also touches on the concept of "leakage" in criminal profiling, where a criminal unintentionally reveals their guilt through behavior or speech. Throughout Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov exhibits signs of his guilt that others begin to notice, even though he tries to maintain a façade of normalcy. His erratic behavior, mood swings, and obsessive thoughts are indicators of his psychological turmoil, which ultimately leads to his confession. In this way, Dostoevsky anticipates the idea that a criminal's actions and demeanor can betray their inner state, a key tenet of criminal profiling.
The real value of Dostoevsky’s work isn’t just in the plot but in how he pulls you into Raskolnikov’s mind, making you feel the crushing guilt and desperation. As you read, you can’t help but feel the same urge for him to confess, to finally find relief from the torment that’s consuming him. The story's true depth comes from its exploration of the human condition, morality, and the psychological burden of guilt. Dostoevsky doesn’t just tell a story; he crafts an experience where you live through Raskolnikov’s internal struggle. The narrative grips you with its intensity, not because of the events themselves, but because of how they reflect deeper truths about human nature. Each moment of hesitation, every fevered thought, pulls you further into the moral and psychological labyrinth Raskolnikov navigates.
By the time you finish, the sense of relief isn’t just for him—it’s for yourself, having been immersed so deeply in his world. The reward is in the insights you gain about guilt, redemption, and the complexities of the human soul, making the journey through the story truly profound.
One of the central themes of the novel is the conflict between reason and morality. Raskolnikov's crime is not a result of impulsive passion but rather a calculated decision based on a philosophical theory. He is influenced by utilitarian ideas and the notion of the "Übermensch" (superman) — a person who transcends conventional morality to achieve greatness. However, the novel ultimately reveals the flaw in this reasoning. Raskolnikov's intellectual justifications for the murder crumble under the weight of his guilt, showing that moral transgressions cannot be so easily rationalized.
Dostoevsky's insight into the psychology of crime is remarkable. He delves deep into Raskolnikov's thoughts, revealing his internal conflicts, rationalizations, and justifications for murder. The novel explores the idea that crime is not just a social or legal issue but a deeply personal and psychological one. Raskolnikov's crime is born out of his intellectual arrogance, his sense of alienation, and his desperate need to prove himself superior. These are all factors that modern criminal profilers might consider when analyzing the motivations behind a crime.
Dostoevsky's portrayal of the police investigator, Porfiry Petrovich, resembles the methods of modern profilers. Porfiry uses psychological tactics to unsettle Raskolnikov, subtly probing his mind and behavior to elicit a confession. He understands that solving the crime is not just about gathering evidence but also about understanding the criminal's psychology. This approach mirrors the techniques used in criminal profiling, where investigators seek to understand the mind of the offender to solve the case.
The novel also touches on the concept of "leakage" in criminal profiling, where a criminal unintentionally reveals their guilt through behavior or speech. Throughout Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov exhibits signs of his guilt that others begin to notice, even though he tries to maintain a façade of normalcy. His erratic behavior, mood swings, and obsessive thoughts are indicators of his psychological turmoil, which ultimately leads to his confession. In this way, Dostoevsky anticipates the idea that a criminal's actions and demeanor can betray their inner state, a key tenet of criminal profiling.
The real value of Dostoevsky’s work isn’t just in the plot but in how he pulls you into Raskolnikov’s mind, making you feel the crushing guilt and desperation. As you read, you can’t help but feel the same urge for him to confess, to finally find relief from the torment that’s consuming him. The story's true depth comes from its exploration of the human condition, morality, and the psychological burden of guilt. Dostoevsky doesn’t just tell a story; he crafts an experience where you live through Raskolnikov’s internal struggle. The narrative grips you with its intensity, not because of the events themselves, but because of how they reflect deeper truths about human nature. Each moment of hesitation, every fevered thought, pulls you further into the moral and psychological labyrinth Raskolnikov navigates.
By the time you finish, the sense of relief isn’t just for him—it’s for yourself, having been immersed so deeply in his world. The reward is in the insights you gain about guilt, redemption, and the complexities of the human soul, making the journey through the story truly profound.