Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics)
The classic novel of guilt and redemption from one of Russia's greatest novelists
Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a suspicious police investigator, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck. Only Sonya, a downtrodden prostitute, can offer the chance of redemption.
This vivid translation by David McDuff has been acclaimed as the most accessible version of Dostoyevsky’s great novel, rendering its dialogue with a unique force and naturalism. This edition also includes a chronology of Dostoyevsky’s life and work.
Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a suspicious police investigator, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck. Only Sonya, a downtrodden prostitute, can offer the chance of redemption.
This vivid translation by David McDuff has been acclaimed as the most accessible version of Dostoyevsky’s great novel, rendering its dialogue with a unique force and naturalism. This edition also includes a chronology of Dostoyevsky’s life and work.
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Readers say *Crime and Punishment* is a profound, character-driven classic with timeless insights into morality, guilt, and humanity. Many praise Dost...
I listened to this as an audiobook, read by Will Poulter (yes, that Will Poulter). Perhaps that was not the best format, as I feel this is a book that need slow, thoughtful reading, as opposed to being listened to whilst driving/ jogging/ cooking, so my review is heavily caveated by that fact.
Having said that, I enjoyed the story though I found the meandering nature of some characters’ speeches a bit tiresome and difficult to follow. I also feel that a lot happened in this story, and I struggle to see how it all felt relevant to the overarching narrative.
I think I would recommend this book, though perhaps not as an audiobook.
A graduate student who led an undergraduate creative writing class I took labeled this book "a religious experience." I agree.
Are there awards for finishing a Dostoevsky novel? There should be. This was a hard book to read, and I struggled with my rating, but in the end I settled on ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It’s a novel that leaves you with more questions than answers so I feel like it’s worth the read.
Fantastic and perfect. A true marvel into the psychology of those afflicted with grief and guilt. An absolute perfect read.
A comprehensive but very well written book. It is written so well that it almost makes you feel as anxious as the protagonist.
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