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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
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, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Domestic 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, Violence, and Murder
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: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
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, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
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: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Vomit, Antisemitism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
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: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
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: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
nakednames's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
the grief is never ending but so is the love