Reviews with content warning for Antisemitism - Crime and Punishment

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Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

67 reviews

thymee's review

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dark reflective medium-paced

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

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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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aliciawithoutkeys's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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3arth2kaye's review

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4.0

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o_cox25's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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maddalenacesco's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

impossible to be disappointed with this book. there's a crime and there's a punishment. what else could you be possibly expecting???

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hitmangirl27's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

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chiaralzr's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

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math_scooter's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

3.75

den russiske original fra 1866 er i sig selv på mange måder stadig en forbløffende “moderne” roman

Jan Hansen (oversætteren) siger det selv i hans efterord, og han har helt ret i at Forbrydelse og Straf er en overraskende moderne roman. Selvfølgeligt er kvindesynet og det ud af det blå jødehad ikke noget der ville blive skrevet i dag (forhåbentligt), men tanken om hvad fattigdom gør ved et menneske og hvor uretfærdig rigdom er, burde der derimod skrives mere om i dag.

På mange måde handler denne roman, ja, om forbrydelse og straf. Men jeg vil argumentere for at den handler mindst lige så meget om fattigdom og rigdom.

Jeg brød mig meget mere om denne bog end jeg havde regnet med at jeg ville, men alligevel scorer den ikke så højt. For havde det ikke været en “klassiker”, som jeg havde udfordret mig selv til at læse inden sommerferien sluttede, havde jeg aldrig læst bogen færdig. Den er simpelthen så lang og kedelig.

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toffishay's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

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

What a meaty book. I am really in awe of how Dostoyevsky can maintain tension in a 560 page book! It is interesting how the structure of a book can really make or break it. If you are intimidated by the length, I would say take your time and let yourself enjoy it instead of feeling like you need to power through. I think that it was a smart choice to break the book into 6 parts, each of which have chapters, so you have natural breaks that serve the reading experience and the story. One drawback could be that because the book is so long, the back and forth that Raskolnikov goes through in his head can feel a little repetitive at times. But overall, I think it works well for establishing how conflicted he is as a character and how out of control he truly is as well.

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.

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