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Summary: Consciousness Revealed
Review: Crime and Punishment is book which completely changed my life. It was that instant which collapsed the Schrondinger wave equation of my existence and thus created a quantum leap. I read the book first in 1993, when I was 19, without knowing actually who Dostoevesky was - in a virgin state of mind. While this possibly did not give me a sense of literature it also helped in many ways by keeping me away from most critical literature on this masterpiece. Most analysts of this novel have analysed the idea of 'Raskolnikov' - The idea of the Superman, the Napolean kind of syndrome and whatever else it has been called. The assumption made in such an analysis is that the chief protagonist is Raskolnikov and the other characters are props to aid Dostoevesky in his exposition of this so called 'Theme of Raskolnikov'. To my mind, and the sense that the essential me got from reading the book, nothing could be further away from the truth than this inert way of analysing 'Crime & Punishment' or for that matter, any work of Dostoevesky. Raskolnikov is an idea in the novel undeniably. But he cannot be analysed by titrating him out of the other ideas in the novel which include - Svidrigailov, Marmeledov, Avdotya Romanova, Mikolka's horse, most importantly, the idea of the reader himself. One does not just read through the idea of Raskolnikov. One feels it in his bones, one smells it (vividly described for example in the first 20 pages of the novel), one reflects on it through one's own experiences in life. Raskolnikov has a certain world view. This world view of his attains a consciousness only by confronting itself with those of other characters, situations, and the reader's also. Removing this and looking at Raskolnikov alone is an error in analysis. An error in perceiving the figure and ground of the novel - the two cannot be separated in any sense. As Bhaktin wrote in 'Problems in Dostoevesky's poetics'(to my mind, the greatest understanding of D's art and idea so far), Dostoevesky is polyphonic through and through - For my review, I would just like to leave a sample thought of Bhaktin's interpretation of the Polyphonic voice of Dostoyvesky - Bhaktin is invaluable to a better understanding of Dostoevesky not because he tells us something new. More importantly, he is able to crystallise a reader's experience of Dostoevesky better than the reader himself! - Its like, you get up and say "Hey Bhaktin, thats exactly what I felt when I read Crime and Punishment, but could not summarise it like you have" The idea of polyphony in the great master, according to Bhaktin, means - 1. The works of dostoyvesky are ones that juxtapose heterogenous characters/ situations/ thoughts/ideas/ objects - the bible, Ivan, the devil, the petersberg streets,the smell of Vodka, the trails of blood, the painters working on the floor below Aliona Ivanova's house, the whorehouses, trains, horsecarts, parties, literary quadrilles, Rebellion, murder, discourse,idiocy, banalities..in fact the entire gamut of existence. But, all this heterogeneity is not what makes Dostoyvesky unique. In fact, heterogeneity is common across lots of literature - Shakespeare, Rabelais, even a Dickens for that matter with all his heterogenous characterisation of London life characters. And any cheap post-modern flick can also bring this about with a collage of characters Its the second part of the definition which is central to the theme of polyphony. Almost all pieces of literature ( including those which purport to combine the theme of heterogenity) have a monologic consciousness. That is, the centre of gravity of the novel is irrevocably linked to the consciousness of the author that either exists as the author's voice which keeps telling you the meaning of the content or as one of the characters performing the role of the monologic consciousness of the author - a mouthpiece of the writer, in other words. An example of monologic consciousness would be Sartre's Roquentin in 'Nausea'. Roquentin does nt have any other sense or consciousness that what Sartre has bestowed him. The reader of Sartre therefore, has to primarily understand Sartre. Roquentin, is just a bouncing board. Hence, while an analysis of Roquentin and his ideas would be right,as it is consistent with the structure of the novel, a similar framework used against Raskolnikov would be erroneous as Dostoevesky is not monologic but is polyphonic. This brings us to the second part of Bhaktin's definition of Dostoevesky's polyphony - 2. The works of Dostoyvesky are ones with shifting centres of gravity or multiple levels of consciousness. There is no single thread or voice in any of his books. The idea of a character violently collides with the ideas of other characters and a consciousness is born. Many such interactions happen in the novel, leading to multiple levels of consciousness. At the sub-atomic level, for example, a new electron is created by the collisions of existing electrons. In the same way, ideas are born out of such collisions in Dostoevesky. And added to this is the reader. He is in the book, arguing with Dostoyvesky, Marmeledov,Svidrigailov, Darya everyone. Each character is a voice linked to the author by the pen only but beyond that the writer has no influence whatsover. Bakhtin calls this the 'Dialogic Consciousness of Dostoevesky' ..a Dancing Wu Li Master was Dostoyvesky. I have used Bhaktin's interpretation of him so that in some way, I can convince the reader that reading Crime and Punishment, or for that matter, any work of Dostoevesky is - a) It is a deeply personal experience. The reader is prior to anything else and b) This book is to be read without allowing any sterotypical ideas that exist our heads to interfere with Dostoevesky. Most other writers are monologic. Therefore, if one were to look at this book through those monologic lenses, the experience would be a retrofit. Hence all these crazy analyses about Nitzhean idea of the superman..etc. The dialogic sense would be to not look at the novel as composed of several parts but as one composite whole. Dostoevesky in his own words said that he was not a psychologist but a realist through and through. Therefore, as readers, we should not approach it as a philosophical novel but as a very real, very full-of-life experience
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Summary: Crime and Punishment - A review
Review: Crime and punishment is an outstanding literary work. It tells the harrowing tale of an ex-student, driven to murder, and the aftermath of his actions. It is superbly written and loses none of the passion and emotion through the translation from Russian.
The book holds the reader's attention, its insight into the main characters mind keeping you interested until the end. The writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky manages to extract an amazing tale from the bleak, severe surroundings of Russia in which it is set.
In closing, I feel that Crime and Punishment is a book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. It is a thought-provoking book, offering deep insights into the human mind.
Rating:
Summary: Crime and Punishment - A review
Review: Crime and punishment is, in a single word, an outstanding literary work. It tells the harrowing tale of an ex-student, driven to murder, and the aftermath of his actions. It is superbly written and loses none of the passion and emotion through the translation from russian.
The book holds the readers attention, its insight into the main charachters mind keeping you interested untill the end. The writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky manages to extract an amazing tale from the bleak, severe surroundings of russia in which it is set.
In closing, I feel that Crime and Punishment is a book thet everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. It is a thought provoking book, offering deep insights into the human mind.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Introduction to Russian Literature
Review: I'm a new fan of Russian Literature. For about five years I have owned Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, War and Peace and Doctor Zhivago. They looked good on the shelves and I joked to my friends that someday I would set down Dickens, Steinbeck and Dumas and read one of these Russian classics. Thankfully that time arrived and Crime and Punishment did not let me down. The pace is a little slower with less action and more introspective thought, but once I got used to the rhythm I was so drawn in that I couldn't stop. The characters were so colorful and three dimensional, not to mention the storyline itself, which really makes you think about the fine line between thinking about committing a crime and taking action. I'm ready for Nabokov and Tolstoy. It's always awesome to find a new source of pleasureable reading.
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Summary: a great story under all the many words
Review: Like many writers of his era, Dostoyevsky uses a lot of prose and little dialogue, which makes reading the book a bit of a plodding chore. However, the story is anything but boring: Raskilnov, a poor student, comes up with the philosophy that killing an old female pawnbroker will actually be good for the world because she cheats people and is otherwise useless. It's premeditated --- he even counts exactly how many steps it takes from his place to her door. The book also recounts the following few days when Raskilnov's mother and sister come to visit and he has to play his 'family role' i.e. "I'm a good son and brother when I'm not killing old women." In addition, he is involved with a family consisting of a dying mother, a father, 3 young sons and an 18-year-old daughter who must go into prostitution to support them. So what happens to all of these characters in pre-Revolutionary Russia? What will be Raskilnov's punishment? Does he actually think he was right to kill? The answers unfold as you read this gem from the world of Russian literature -- so renown you feel like you really achieved something when you read it!
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Summary: Pure brilliance
Review: If there are books that are above criticism this one should be one of them. Very well written. It mesmerizes you and makes you like the main hero, the young Raskolnikov who commits the murder out of bilief in his superiority but cannot live up to his expectations afterwards. There are very deep psychological insights as well as philosophical and social comments throughout. The plot is interesting too, with many twists and turns. Highly recommend.
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Summary: Proto-nietzschean: The Dawn of Psychology in Russia
Review: Dostoyevsky produced so many ground-breaking case studies of humanity's and ideology's perilous alliance. This book is one of his great fictions- not a treatise on political science as the title might suggest! Rashkolnikov, the protagonist, is a raffish, young ex-law student that commands the respect of his peers and the virtue of his family. He is arrogant, clever, self-conscious, and generous all in the midst of a moral and physical delerium that characterizes his on-the-edge existence. This "classic" is a thriller/mystery. But, what makes the story a mystery is not that Rashkolnikov is a murderer, but that he is so like us- the trademark of many a timeless classic. Rashkolnikov earns sympathy with humanity and intelligence. You'll be so much in his shoes that you'll feel the intensity and dizziness of the thoughts that pass through his head, as he weighs the fates of those around him. Part of the thrill is watching his endless rationalizations and schemes become foiled by his illness and by (yes, even in this novel- a love story or two!) the love of a young, unfortunate girl, who drives Rashkolnikov to accept the guilt that he could easily elude. The suspense virtually plugs the reader into the story, making the book one you just can't put down, for fear of losing touch with the gripping reality of Rashkolnikov's fate. I even felt like I had to question my own innocence, as Rashkolnikov dodged friends, inspectors, and a man like himself, forcing me to see things from his view, sometimes even to agree with him, and always to root for him. I liked <> even better at the time, but this is a masterpiece on another level. My mother read it and loved the ending, and understood in her own way why R. did what he did. This is not only a fun, intellectual read, but also a feel good novel. Get it and don't let the Russian names and the silly title scare you anymore!
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Summary: An intense experience
Review: At first glance, this story may appear relatively uncomplicated. A criminal deals with the aftermath of a pre-meditated, double-homicide, which he committed. The protagonist, Raskolnikov, subsequently deals with varied emotions and reactions, including justification, self-righteousness, denial and grief.In reality, the story is *a description of mankind's struggle with his/her own sinful nature, and ultimate conversion to Christianity. "Crime and Punishment" is also deeply philosophical. It will further develop your mind, and take your reasoning skills to the next level. You will not regret reading this novel. *Paraphrased from notes within the book.
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Summary: Crime and Punishment
Review: Internal conflict is a key element in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, Crime and Punishment, because Raskolnikov's actions occur as results of his inner frustrations. Raskolnikov's harsh life effects his ability to think rationally. During a conversation with one of his companions he says, "It all went according to theory... Get to the consequences of what you've just been preaching, and it will turn out that one can go around putting a knife in people" (151). In this conversation, Raskolnikov misinterprets his friend's theory and clues the reader of his sickness. Most things are circled around death after Raskolnikov kills the two ladies. In his first killing he feels cornered and left with no other choice. Raskolnikov's growing sickness makes him obsessed with detail. The narrator explains his physical condition saying, "However, it was not that he was totally unconcious during the whole time of his illness: it was a feverish condition, with moments of delirium and semi-awareness. Afterwards he remembered a great deal" (117). The narrator reflects his inner sickness with his outer one in the story. It is almost as if he is in a dream, seeing what he is doing but not stopping himself. He does not realize the sverity of his actions until the process is over. Raskolnikov's life goes by in a drunken haze. What happens around you affects you in ways you do not realize. Dostoevsky's story displays how outer elements of a person's life can change their thought process and lead them to insanity.
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Summary: Slow-paced but intriguing psychological thriller...
Review: As I said, this novel is definitely slow-paced, so for those whose attention spans are shorter than the average television commercial, you are being forewarned.
That aside, this is an absolutely marvelous book, combining elements of mystery and crime with disturbing psychology and provocative philosophy. The story concerns a poor Russian youth named Raskalnikov who has decided that murdering an elderly pawnbroker for her wealth is just because she is a societal leech who contributes nothing. He is blinded by his own poverty and deluded by his Neitzschean philosophy concerning 'extraordinary men' and their rights to commit heinous acts for the general betterment of humanity. Problems arise when he falls in love and is also hounded by two men, one a police officer and another a scoundrel.
The story is well-translated in that it is clear and concise, and, by all accounts, preserves the story nicely. The writing itself is readable, and the more philosophical passages are definitely intriguing.
Highly reccomended.
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