A review by rainbow1218
Crime and Punishment: A New Translation by Fyodor Dostoevsky

dark mysterious 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

Goodness gracious what a story.  I was initially intimidated by Crime and Punishment putting it off for longer than I should. Well I need a swift kick, one of the most readable classics with a story pulling you in from page 1. The hardest part was slowing down to truly immerse myself with the characters and St Petersburg.  FD created several multi dimensional characters, no matter their depravity all had moments where I rooted for them. Several characters were just awful human beings, but somehow FD had glimmers of humanity in each of them.  The city itself was a character full of debauchery, drunkards, poverty, and stifling heat. Many off putting set pieces from pedophillia to domestic violence, none in explicit graphic detail.  

Favorite character Porfiry for his modern detective psychological interrogation techniques and Dunya for her overall bad ass independent not going to take it self.  Happy for how the story ended for her.  Tax was endearing and the definition of a solid friend. Character I did not understand is Sonia, why girl why?  

I would appreciate a backstory for Rodion to better understand how he developed his monomania and thoughts of murder itself.  Perhaps his mother’s constant doting got him there, just an assumption on my part. He fell short of her expectations and just cracked under the shame and pride.