Scan barcode
A review by prithviatreides
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This is a brilliant book, well-deserving of the respect and admiration it gets worldwide. This was my first Dostoevsky novel, and I get it. I get the appeal, both intellectual and emotional. Truly. Dostoevsky was an exceptional author, with awesome command over character and theme.
Nevertheless, I don’t like this story. I love the book, yes. I deeply admire the craft; I just disagree with Dostoevsky on the foundational level. He thought morality impossible without God, and I think that’s the most reductive description of human morality.
Absolutely it’s possible without the avarice for divine reward or the fear of eternal damnation! Indeed, for me, being good means a lot more if I’m not waiting for some reward for my good behavior, like a gold star on my assignment turned in on time.
Being good is enough. Even more so if there is no god.
Anyway, I could rant and rant and never review this book.
This book is fantastic. The characters are complex, the plot is fun, and there are some truly brilliant ideas explored in it. It’s also riddled with biblical references. Very fun. Think Captain America in Avengers, “I understood that reference.”
One can guess how the book will end by knowing about Dostoevsky’s beliefs and by the first Part of this story. But, my personal annoyance aside, the bulk of the story was really good. I have found some of my favourite characters in this book, and that’s always great.
I did not like that ending one bit. Fortunately, we don’t get a full-blown conversion at the end, but it’s mostly clear where he’s headed. There is some ambiguity, though. And in my heart, I hope he doesn’t descend to the comfort of faith. I hope he understands that there are more than two choices. I hope that the goodness of Sonia is enough, and that he doesn’t have to join her in her godliness too.
Nevertheless, I don’t like this story. I love the book, yes. I deeply admire the craft; I just disagree with Dostoevsky on the foundational level. He thought morality impossible without God, and I think that’s the most reductive description of human morality.
Absolutely it’s possible without the avarice for divine reward or the fear of eternal damnation! Indeed, for me, being good means a lot more if I’m not waiting for some reward for my good behavior, like a gold star on my assignment turned in on time.
Being good is enough. Even more so if there is no god.
Anyway, I could rant and rant and never review this book.
This book is fantastic. The characters are complex, the plot is fun, and there are some truly brilliant ideas explored in it. It’s also riddled with biblical references. Very fun. Think Captain America in Avengers, “I understood that reference.”
One can guess how the book will end by knowing about Dostoevsky’s beliefs and by the first Part of this story. But, my personal annoyance aside, the bulk of the story was really good. I have found some of my favourite characters in this book, and that’s always great.
I did not like that ending one bit. Fortunately, we don’t get a full-blown conversion at the end, but it’s mostly clear where he’s headed. There is some ambiguity, though. And in my heart, I hope he doesn’t descend to the comfort of faith. I hope he understands that there are more than two choices. I hope that the goodness of Sonia is enough, and that he doesn’t have to join her in her godliness too.