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A review by winterpromise31
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.0
I'm definitely glad I read this book and I can see why it is considered a classic. It's not going to be one of my favorite stories, though I will say that it is very well written.
I felt like I was reading two different books. The first 2/3 of the book is all psychological. Things happen, but it's more about Rodion's thought process. Is he actually a murderer? Is he a "good guy" or a "bad guy?" Is he smarter and wiser than the police and everyone else around him? Does man have the right to kill a "bad guy" if it contributes to the greater good of society? Who determines which men have a right to judge who lives and who dies? All interesting thoughts and I kept putting the book down to discuss ideas with my husband.
The last 1/3 of the book, however, turned into a bit of melodrama. I can't say much without giving away the plot but I was surprised at how quickly the book turned from introspection to a string of comical and tragic events. It almost felt like the last section of the book was written by another author after Dostoyevsky's death. "Well, Dostoyevsky covered the philosophical and psychological aspects of both crime and punishment. Let's wrap up the actual story."
Definitely worth reading once!
Some of my favorite passages -
"Because you know what irks me the most about it? Not that they're lying; lying can always be forgiven; lying is a fine thing, because it leads to the truth. No, what irks me is that they lie and then worship their own lies" (135).
"He's an intelligent man, but it takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently" (235).
The previous two quotes were favorites because of the ideas they contain. This last quote is just a brilliant description.
"Pyotr Petrovich unhurriedly pulled out a cambric handkerchief that gave off a whiff of scent, and blew his nose with the air of a man of virtue whose dignity has been somewhat offended and who, moreover, has firmly resolved to demand an explanation" (296).
I felt like I was reading two different books. The first 2/3 of the book is all psychological. Things happen, but it's more about Rodion's thought process. Is he actually a murderer? Is he a "good guy" or a "bad guy?" Is he smarter and wiser than the police and everyone else around him? Does man have the right to kill a "bad guy" if it contributes to the greater good of society? Who determines which men have a right to judge who lives and who dies? All interesting thoughts and I kept putting the book down to discuss ideas with my husband.
The last 1/3 of the book, however, turned into a bit of melodrama. I can't say much without giving away the plot but I was surprised at how quickly the book turned from introspection to a string of comical and tragic events. It almost felt like the last section of the book was written by another author after Dostoyevsky's death. "Well, Dostoyevsky covered the philosophical and psychological aspects of both crime and punishment. Let's wrap up the actual story."
Definitely worth reading once!
Some of my favorite passages -
"Because you know what irks me the most about it? Not that they're lying; lying can always be forgiven; lying is a fine thing, because it leads to the truth. No, what irks me is that they lie and then worship their own lies" (135).
"He's an intelligent man, but it takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently" (235).
The previous two quotes were favorites because of the ideas they contain. This last quote is just a brilliant description.
"Pyotr Petrovich unhurriedly pulled out a cambric handkerchief that gave off a whiff of scent, and blew his nose with the air of a man of virtue whose dignity has been somewhat offended and who, moreover, has firmly resolved to demand an explanation" (296).