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Summary: I was taken completely by surprise
Review: When I picked up Crime & Punishment, I thought, why not. I expected to have to stuggle to make it through to the end. Let's face it, it has a lot going against for the unknowing reader. It's by a Russian (a country not known for it's great authors), written in the late 19th century, has a social moral to it, and the title doesn't sound all that exciting. I was NOT expecting to absolutely love this book, but I was hooked from the beginning. What I find so fascinating about this novel is that the main character has commited the worst possible crime a person can commit, yet the reader can't help but pull for him. I also wasn't expecting to find any humor, but it was found in some of the strangest places. From the funeral dinner of Sonia's father to Porfiry Petrovich's not so vailed accusations, Dostoevsky managed to find humor in some of the least humorous situations. Although Dostoevsky is trying to make a point about society, he does it in a very entertaining way.
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Summary: To not read it is a crime, to not know it is a punishment.
Review: This is one of the most amazing books that I have ever read. It is slightly different from the original Russian version, however, it's the best book of all time. It is envigorating and fascinating. It makes you cry and laugh. It lets you into Raskolnikov's head and lets you see the flow of his thoughts. You feel like you are Raskolnikov, and those thoughts are yours. It's amazingly real and moving. Strongly recommend it to anyone. It's an amazing book. Have fun reading it!
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Summary: A well known classic novel
Review: Like all Dostoyevsky's books, this novel is difficult to read and is not recommended for anyone simply looking for an easy-to-read novel. I personally found this to be the easiest of this author's books to read. It is the classic tale of a poor student's efforts to survive. Having become involved with a pawnbroker to borrow money, he carries out a robbery in which he kills the old woman. The plot deals with the psychological problems of a young person driven to crime, the remorse because of his actions, his trial, and his imprisonment which to seems to feel is atonement for the crime. The author himself had his problems with the czarist government, being somewhat of a radical, and he wrote the book from the standpoint of the under-classes. It reflects the situation in czarist Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution, and gives some insight into the legal system that was in place. Aside from being classic literature, it is a must read for anyone studying czarist Russia in the period around 1900.
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Summary: Awesome
Review: Just because it's long and all the names are hard to read, don't skip this book. I finished it about a week ago, and stopped by this site to see what others had to say about it. What I realize now is that I miss reading it. I picked it up to gain a little background on Petersburg before my upcoming trip there and enjoyed the book thoroughly. But Raskolnikov, more than a week old in my memory (and a murderer, to boot) still enchants me. I feel profound understanding and respect for Rodya, in spite of his actions, and I would characterize this as a longing for his company. By this standard, as well as the egotistic philosophy that the book preaches, I give it five thumbs up.
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Summary: Psychological Thrill
Review: Dostoevski has a great ability to describe passion, fear and all unstable states of mind. The way he described the passion of winning in "Gambler" , fear of facing the truth that he, Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, was unable to exist without the common man, and is not superior is just awesome. Crime and Punishment provides very colorful depiction of Russia and takes one to a journey into realm of conflict and fear in one's self. A definite classic.
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Summary: Astonishing novel
Review: This is the epitome of Existential literature. Never before has there been such a detailed and accurate account of the human psyche and the burdens of life. Raskolnikov is a man plagued with choices, who battles himself to try to find the best solution to his problem. Influenced Nietzsche and Freud. Incredible read.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: This book is a wonderful exploration into the human soul. Through the main character, Raskolnikov, we see the agony of guilt, anxiety, and mental torment because of moral actions. One can almost sympathize with him, even though what he does (and his reasoning) is truly despicable. Don't let the 500 pages or the common notion that this novel is boring stop you from reading it. It is one of the most fantastically written novels in history.
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Summary: This Book Will Change Your Outlook on Life Forever
Review: Crime and Punishment is a great book that must be read by everyone that loves the philosophical and social themes that drive great books. Philosophically and socially this book is pure genius. Especially when you consider when this book was written, Dostoyevsky has made an impactful and lasting mark on literature and philosophy with this novel. This book was written in Russia when nihilism was the prevalent philosophy and social doctrine. At a time when morality was moving towards being seen as almost non-tangible, this book makes a bold statement. That statement is that you cannot deny the basic, intrinsic morality that is linked to humanity. Without things like remorse, guilt, and most importantly love, one ceases to be human. Dostoyevsky makes a point that there is something deep in all of us that is tangible...a morality that is not linked to laws but is linked to humanity and in the capacity to love. And that humanity overrides everything. Laws change, philosophies are debated, society evolves...but one must remain human...above all else. An all encompassing theme, delivered by a skilled writer.
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Summary: Crime and Punishment
Review: I thought that Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment was a great book. It was suspenseful, captivating, and well-written. The characters seemed very real and life-like. It was very graphic and detailed, describing even to the last of the feelings of Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov before, during, and after the murder. The details of the scenes of the murder, the police station, and the trampling of Marmeladov were very explicit and well-written. The only bad points of the book are the use of Old English spelling and grammar, and that the story is sometimes hard to follow. The book has excellent detail and was captivating and full of suspense. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to tackle the 493 pages. Overall, it was a good book.
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Summary: Realizing the Crime
Review: "A man with a weak mind, kills his landlady. He who is afraid of consequences, but doesn't realize his own sin until he understands the power of love......" Dostoevsky surprisingly and amazingly describes the mind of a human discriptly. I recommend you to read this book. It's a life time experience.
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