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Summary: Inspiring Insight
Review: Fyodor Dostoevksy marvelously illustrates the effect that guilt has on the human mind. Raskolnikov, an idealist and impoverished youth, finds himself committing a murder to help his people, but he is slowly transformed, along with his social theories. The unexplainable guilt gnaws at him until he changes his mind about his motives, his morals, and his faith. He realizes that social and economic change do not happen through murder, but through charity and hard work, which he learns through helping the prostitute daugher of a drunkard, as well as his own poor family. He accepts religion and God, as a way to repent and make his life more meaningful, and slowly he drives himself toward a confession..... This is a classic and outstanding book
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Summary: Explanation for Raskolnikov's confession
Review: In the novel Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov confessed to the murder in order to end his inner turmoil which alienated him from society. After committing the murders at the end of part one, the reader is led to believe that his motivation was for the good of humanity since the pawnbroker was greedy and served no positive role to anyone who knew her (and the sister's death was committed only to ensure Raskolnikov not be witnessed). It was later found out that his reasoning was to commit an extraordinary act, making him fit the characteristics of what he felt was a man above ordinary qualities. This reveals the truth to the reader about Raskolnikov's unusual behavior and struggles with guilt, since we understand why his inner-conscience was so damaged, making him physically sick. Contained within himself for a long period of time, this feeling ate him up inside until the religious and inspiring words of Sonia convinced Raskolnikov to confess. She explained to him that all of the upsetting feelings would go away, and that god would repent him of his sins. This would make him forgiven in the eyes of god, and Sonia would respect him for letting out his secret. He would live in peace and feel better about himself. As a result, Raskolnikov confessed to the murder(s) in order to cease his inner hell and feel able to face society again. He wanted to do the right thing, but it took the inspiring words of someone he admired to help aid him and go through with it. After confessing to the murders, his life could only get better, allowing him to "start over" and live his life with his mistake in the past.
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Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!
Review: I think that this book is one of the best books that I've ever read in all of my life!!! Yah, it's kind of depressing but it's still written absolutely one hundred percent awesome!!!! The plot is completely interesting with twists and turns the whole time that you're reading...I highly recommend it.
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Summary: A classic for a reason.
Review: This novel stands out as one of the finest pieces of actual literature I have read. Top 5 at least. First, let me pay tribute to "Everyman's Library Series". They make very handsome novels, complete with soft cream pages, and a built in fabric book mark. They all come in moroon, and add a certain pinache to any book collection. Best of all, they are well priced. As for Crime and Punishment. I was very impressed. More often than not, I read the classics, and wonder how it is they have become classics. For Dostoevsky, there can be no doubt. And Crime and Punishment is his best known effort. Not his best though. C&P is the exploration of the world that it's hero/villain Raskolnikov occupies. He takes it apon himself to murder a particularly vile pawnbroker(thus making him a villain) under the guise of the highest moral resposibility. Well, no plan is perfect, and most of the book is an involved psycological examination of it's main character, the ways he tries to justify his crime to himself, and the people around him who have no idea what the hell is going on. Dostoevsky creates living breathing people that you care about in this tale. It's simple premise gives way to an incredibly complex story. The dialogues bewtween Raskolnikov, and Porfiry( the ever suspicious investigator) are wonderful. And then theres the clever and sneaky Svidrigailov, whom I found rather amusing at times. To me the book was very suspenseful. never knowing if or when young Raskolnikov would confess, or continue to hide in uncertainty due to the circumstancial evidence that linked him to the crime. SO many times I wanted to read to the end to find out. But I didn't, and neither should you. There's just so much depth to this book, I have no doubt it will recieve a return read. Perhaps in another 10 years I will read it, and get even more out of it. That's how all great books are. Highest recommendation.
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Summary: The Truth About Crime and Punishment
Review: Many have rated Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment as one of the best Russian literary works of all time. Perhaps to some it is. After all, it is an accurate account of the severe depression afflicted upon Russia's population as a whole, along with the widespread poverty and the harsh living conditions that this poverty led its people to. However, you must have strong motivation to sit yourself down in a stiff chair to read this award winning novel. This piece of literature has been translated from Russian into an english dialect that expresses the writing to a close extent, with difficult vocabulary and long chapters that do not make for an easy read. Though if you're up for it, Dostoyevsky's phenomenal interpretation of Russian history and an unforgettable story reflecting the characteristics of the human condition is outstanding.
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Summary: Wonderful new translation
Review: Crime and Punishment centers upon the story of a young Russian student, Raskolnikov, who plots and carries out a brutal murder. However, this is less than a quarter of the story. The rest centers upon his attempts to come to terms with the philosophical and psycological consequences of his act. Aiding, or hindering, him in this endevor are a series of characters from the kind-hearted prostitute Sonia and her drunken father, the unrepentant scoundrel Svidrigailov, Raskolnikov's best friend Razumihin, and the police detective come amateur psychologist Porfiry Petrovich. Though the story develops slowly, with many detours, Raskolnikov's journey through crime and punishment remains gripping until the very last page. I first encountered Crime and Punishment in the classic translation by Constance Garnett and loved it for Dostoyevsky's careful balance of character and philosophy. Dostoyevsky's genius lies in his ability to create simultaneously a psychological novel and a novel of ideas. Though each character represents a certain philosophy of life, they never become lifeless or stereotyped. Instead, each is a memorably developed and psychologically deep person, who could easily carry a story in their own right. Dostoyevsky's genius is in the perfect counterpoint between conflict of personality and conflict of philosophy between each of these fascinating people. Dostoyevsky also specializes in garnering the reader's interest and sympathy for the most unlikely characters. This is a novel, after all, with an ax murderer as the protagonist. However, until I read this new translation of Dostoyevsky, I never realized that besides psychologist and philosopher, Dostoyevsky was also a masterful stylist. Pevear and Volokhonsky succeed in faithfully translating the literal meaning of the original Russian, while still capturing the vivid liveliness of Dostoyevsky's prose. The heat of a St. Petersburg summer night fairly radiates off the page in the first part, while his descriptions of Raskolnikov's cramped bedroom gave me claustrophobia. Admittedly, this is no beach-read thriller. The Russian names can be confusing, and Dostoyevsky's manages to be both dense and long-winded. Nontheless, this is one of the greatest works of fiction ever written that should be read both as a "classic book" and as a gripping psychological exploration of crime.
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Summary: This ain't no Harry Potter.
Review: Well, I did it. After approximately 8-9 months of on and off again reading, I finally finished the magnum opus that is "Crime and Punishment". Overall I found the book fascinating and more detailed than any other book I've read. I think this is what left me most disappointed. After so many plot elements twisting and characters faltering, the ending seemed somewhat unfulfilling. Seeing as I don't wish to spoil the ending for anyone, I'll leave most of my criticism unsaid. Dostoevsky has created a book solid in social criticism and quite heavy in the psychological aspect of the human condition. Raskolnikov is a socially distant character fed up with the world of immorality he sees developing around him. His family sees him as their only hope and those around him love him to death, while Raskolnikov takes all of these envious gestures as "plagues acquired from Asia". After committing his crime, Raskolnikov is forced to live in cowardice and fear. It is in this state of distress that Raskolnikov realizes he needs love and compassion as much as anybody. Unfortunately it takes him a couple murders and many many peoples shambled lives to find this out. Considering this is a classic and should be read by anybody remotely interested in literature, I'll not say anymore. Well, on to a nice leisurely stroll into "Brothers Karamazov". 4.75/5 stars
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Summary: Translation can spoil the book.
Review: Having read the Constance Garnet translation three times, I looked forward to a new version. The experience has been disappointing. The translation is awkward at best, without style, and jarring in spots. After spending a month on 125 pages, I gave up and went back to Constance, with relief. I can stand the "whilst's" if the writing flows.
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Summary: Not bedtime reading
Review: Dostoevsky will forever cause high school children to groan in discomfort. I did, until I was older and picked this book up on my own. The style is difficult to trudge through at first, I think mostly because it does not translate too easily into comfortable American slang. But you do get used to it, and the story and theme are well worth the effort. Now, I have been told by friends that Crime and Punishment is not Dostoevsky's best work. If this is true, I will be delighted to read his others. This story, like The Bell Jar and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, may appeal to those who have difficulty in social situations. I identified with the character's distaste for company, even though he knew that he was not healthy. I should caution, however, that this book was so well written, that I actually felt my mood turn dour as soon as I picked it up. It isn't for bedtime reading, unless you like dark, shadowy dreams of loneliness and despair. Read on a dark stormy night with a fire going and leave the rest of the room plunged in shadows. Indulge your less comfortable side!
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Summary: mans battle with his inner self
Review: This was a very interesting read. Quite longer then I first anticipated but well worth it. You can sense the underlying physiology in this book that makes it the classic that it has become. The story is about a young student named Raskolnikov, who believes that sometimes murder needs to be accepted in order for the intellectual superiors to advance. He later learns the haunting reality of the inner conscience. The book tends to get confusing sometimes due to the many names the characters are referred to. Probably a book better enjoyed with multiple readings - but who has that much time?
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