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Summary: Read it all the way through
Review: Dostoevsky's ending is beautiful. It brings marvelous closure to the inner struggles of the hero. When life was worthless it suddenly became meaningful. When the author is allowed to tell his story he replaces the dreary darkness with the light of hope. By laying the book to rest before it is finished, it is as if one were to judge a painting by the colors in the background before the artist had a chance to paint the bright colors of the foreground. Read the book and read it all the way through.
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Summary: Intense.
Review: This is really what got me interested in reading classics. Incredible.
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Summary: Overrated
Review: This book was very well written, yet unbelievably dull. I didn't want to finish it because I was so bored. What is so great about this book? True, there were certain parts that were very real and interesting. Yet the book drags on and on while not keeping the reader interested. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a page-turner.
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Summary: A Chilling Psychological Tale of Guilt and Redemption
Review: What makes the story so frightenly "real" for me was that I found myself going through the same thought processes as the main character, Raskolnikov. In a rational attempt of hubris, Raskolnikov murders for the good of humanity and to prove to himself he is not an ordinary person, reigned in by the common boundaries that the millions.Dostoevsky depicts so well the struggles of Raskolikov's conscience and very soul that makes this novel a beautiful insight into the human psyche. The novel is "real." I caught myself thinking with Raskolnikov, and his worries and anxiety would match my own in that situation. I recommend the novel for anyone who does not fear a novel fairly dark and depressing in parts. A wonderful book by one of the finest novelists of all time.
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Summary: Classic work that should be read by all
Review: I read this book because it is a classic, and I'm very glad I read it. At first I didn't like the book that much; the story is not that captivating. But wait until the last chapter -- it will truly knock you on your bottom! The book is a translation from Russian, so I often times found the language a little dull (or perhaps it was just straightfoward). I would recommend reading the last chapter of the book at least several times. It is here that Dostoevsky drives home an important point for humanity -- Jesus died for our sins, no matter how great they are. If we accept him in our hearts and repent, then we are cleansed and made new again. This is what Raskolnikov realizes at the end of the story, and thus the "subject of a new story" can imply his rebirth in Christianity. Looking back on that lesson, the book is worth the read, even if you have to trudge through it at times like I did.
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Summary: Wow
Review: This is the most excellent book I have ever read. Dostoevsky truly captures the mind of a tortued young man who is going through many things because of his experience. This truly shows the human soul in both forms of good and evil that exsist in all of us. Dostoevsky really understands the human mind
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Summary: One of the Best Novels Ever Written!
Review: Fyodor Dostoevsky has written a story that deeply analyzes the human psyche. Learn what is going through the mind of a murderer who later regrets his vice. Walk with him as his conscience tortures him to mental breakdown. Know what he feels and what he thinks. Learn how his mind ignored murder laws, morals, and ethics until after he has committed the murder. In the end, you will rejoice with him as he chooses to do penance for his evils. Dostoevsky has ingeniously constructed a tale that strongly reels his readers in. As readers, we easily become one with Dostoevsky's hero. Although murderers are hated in just about every culture, Dostoevsky has presented to us a murderer that invokes our sympathy. This is a masterpiece that all advanced societies will one day highly regard. Once a Russian classic, "Crime and Punishment" is now a literary treasure. If you want to read another book with a writing style that is similar to this one, I recommend "Lolita" by Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov.
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Summary: Mandatory
Review: I... (stuttering) I don't know where to begin. The title indicates that we have a crime and then we have some punishment. That's enough about the plot. Fyodor Dostoevsky is the greatest novelist of all time. He knows human beings so well and this is reflected in his main character's stream of consciousness, as well as the body movements, speech, and appearances of all his characters. My point is that he is such an effective story teller that it is like you will be sitting beside whomever he is writing about. Do not be intimidated by Dostoevsky either - his style is straight forward and very clear. Do yourself a favor and turn off your television in the evenings for about a week or so and curl up with this masterpiece. This book is an emotional roller coaster, but then again - isn't life?
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Summary: Epic story of society and consciousness
Review: This was an enjoyable and classically difficult Russian authored book to read (the other I have read is Tolstoy.) The most striking similarities between Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky are their intricate use of rich characters, immense dialogue, subplots, and foreshadowing. The book starts out with a meager and demented man, Raskolnikov, shutting himself off from society, but still interestingly enough, shows much compassion and pleasure in the company of the downtrodden. Raskolnikov wants to prove a theory to himself, and perhaps to the world, that powerful men are able and predictably will seize power by force and are justified in doing so. In other words, Raskolnikov sought after a proof of his belief that he could murder a villainous old pawnbroker and be able to maintain a guilt free conscience. In order for powerful people to complete this task, they must separate their feelings and morals from society and demand the isolation that waits for them. However, Raskolnikov has a weakness for the downtrodden victims, and seems to seek their approval. As a result, he confides in a prostitute, Sonia, who happens to represent all of the maltreated people of the world. With a confession, Raskolnikov's world is not as it seems and his preposterous theory is in ruin. Crime and Punishment is a very difficult, but valuable and memorable read. I highly recommend reading this book, and even I would suggest reading the cliff notes version to follow up on the important symbolism saturating the novel. This book is not just about a theory, but about human society, class structure, and consciousness.
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Summary: Dostoyevsky's Answer
Review: You plan a crime. It is solely of your design. The method. The place. The victim. Everything is your calculation. It is your conscious mind that has plotted the deed. It is your voluntary actions which carry it out. Every aspect of the crime belongs to you. It is very much a part of who you are. Your identity. Your past. Your future. Do you not deserve credit for its brilliance? For its success? But also for its failure? For its punishment? And the suffering that follows? These are the existential questions facing the protagonist Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's classic work. Set against 18th Century St. Petersburg -- a time when poverty and blind religious faith created a recipe for scandalous social acceptance of depraved living conditions and suffering of many. All of this accentuates Raskolnikov's own condition. A brilliant law student, he himself is very poor. Living in shabby quarters, he rarely eats. In this setting, Raskolnikov comes to a final decision (or delusion?) -- to prove his worth and superiority through a crime of Napoleonic proportions. This is not your typical crime novel thriller. Not in the least. The suspense comes not through the cliched question of "Whodunnit?", but through Dostoyevsky's own brilliant grasp of human psychology. Once the deed is done (early on) the story shifts to the events following the bloody crime. Slowly, Raskolnikov's motives, desires and philosophical views become clear. We see him challenge the cynical and hollow Looshin for the benefit of his sister. We see him confront the police and magistrates directly with his alleged guilt. But all the while, the depravity of Raskolnikov's living condition and unpredictable emotions and actions render all of these "conscious" intentions suspect. Like Gregor Samsa in Kafka's Metamorphosis, our privileged access to Raskolnikov's thoughts perhaps betray a diseased mind. A confused consciousness. A man no longer the agent of his actions. These circumstances both consciously and subconsciously drive Raskolnikov to question his own actions and state of mind. In a sense, he grasps for straws as his past actions becomes blurred. And this becomes his struggle -- the existential anxiety of losing control over the ability to shape his destiny. Dostoyevsky answers with a powerful gest, equalled only by Nietzsche's Dionysian Spirit: To trade freedom and dignity for ultimate responsibility and suffering. And only through this affirmation of the Will, shall Raskolnikov achieve salvation.
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