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Crime and Punishment

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, David McDuff (Translator), Alex Jennings (narrator)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 192,467 ratings · 6,797 reviews

The talented Alex Jennings creates an atmosphere of gripping psychological tension and brings a variety of characters to life in this new audio edition of a crime classic. When the student Raskolnikov puts his philosophical theory to the ultimate test of murder, a tragic tale of suffering and redemption unfolds in the dismal setting of the slums of czarist, prerevolutionar...more

Audiobook, Abridged, 545 pages

Published December 31st 2002 by Penguin (first published 1866)

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May 13, 2011 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: easton-press, audiobook, 6-star-books, all-time-favorites, 1800s, literature, classics, classics-asian

6.0 Stars. One of my All Time Favorite novels. In addition to being one of the first works of Classic Literature that I suggest when asked for recommendations from others, this story holds a special place in my heart as it was the story, along with Moby Dick, that began my love of the “classics” for which I will always be grateful. So often we are forced to read the great works of literature for school or at times not of our choosing and I think it tends to lead to a lifelong aversion to them.....more

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Jul 30, 2009 Bonnie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, reviewed-books, to-reread

There was a time in my life when I couldn’t get enough of reading Dostoevsky. Maybe because his books made me think so deeply about being human and how we choose to live our lives. I began with Crime and Punishment, probably the work he is best known for.

What I remember is being fascinated by Dostoevsky’s brilliant understanding of human nature. I remember thinking what a deep study this book was; an incredible examination of a man who commits murder and how he is “punished” for it.

I remember...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Emily May rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, 1001-read, 2012, fave-classics

I've come to the conclusion that Russian door-stoppers might just be where it's at. "It" here meaning general awesomeness that combines the elements of history, philosophy and high readability to make books that are both thought-provoking and enjoyable. Granted, I have only read three of the Russian big-uns: War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and now Crime and Punishment, but I intend to rectify this shortly with The Brothers Karamazov and The Idiot. Now, I don't want to go blazing with too much exci...more I've come to the conclusion that Russian door-stoppers might just be where it's at. "It" here meaning general awesomeness that combines the elements of history, philosophy and high readability to make books that are both thought-provoking and enjoyable. Granted, I have only read three of the Russian big-uns: War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and now Crime and Punishment, but I intend to rectify this shortly with The Brothers Karamazov and The Idiot. Now, I don't want to go blazing with too much excitement into the land of Tsars and vodka, and then just ending up with a load of disappointment like I got from some of the Aussie authors I was counting on this year, but I have honestly liked every Russian novel I've read so far, big and small.

This may seem like a very odd comparison to make, but Crime and Punishment has made me feel much more ready to write my review of Stormdancer. One of my main points I wanted to make about the Japanese steampunk was to do with the massive overload of Japanese words that had me pulling up google every few minutes and resulted in a loss of excitement and appreciation for the story. But I was reluctant to say "this book is too Japanese" because I sound exactly like a typical silly uncultured westerner who isn't interested in learning about other ways of life. However, Crime and Punishment really proves that it isn't me being deliberately ignorant.

I knew only what I'd got from Tolstoy about nineteenth century Russian society and people when I started this book, about as much as I knew about Japan from reading Manga when I started Stormdancer. The difference is that Dostoyevsky took me on an educational - but also gripping - journey around the backstreets and drinking dens of St Petersburg that told me about the nitty gritty details of life in Russia for those less fortunate - drunks, prostitutes, the poor - and I felt I had a very vivid portrait of this time and culture without once having to use google. I had a recent comment on one of my reviews basically saying I owed it to the author to do a little research before I comment on the novel, that it wasn't the author's responsibility to provide all the information. Look, in the end, I prefer a book that can stand up on its own without requiring additional material to have it make sense, I just do. And Crime and Punishment delivers that. It's educational without feeling like one lengthy info-dump, and it's philosophical without being a mindfuck.

Raskolnikov is a great protagonist, he really is. His head is all over the place and he constantly struggles with what he believes in, his conscience and his desire to get what he wants. The reader is pulled so deep inside the dark depths of his mind that it's hard to avoid becoming completely absorbed in the story. He is at times nasty, at others funny, and at others pitiful. Dostoyevsky has created one extremely well-rounded and complex character. Crime and Punishment shows the human capacity for evil, but also for shame and remorse. And this latter is the real "punishment" for Raskolnikov when he is driven near to insanity by his guilt.

I don't really know how best to fully articulate my feelings for Crime and Punishment. I don't give many five star ratings and I rarely feel this strongly about what I've read. I actually had a bloody dream about it! Speaking of dreams, I want to use this one example of Dostoyevsky's ability to engage the reader so thoroughly: I read one particular scene in the book that made me seriously distressed, I was furious, on the verge of tears, I was like a child who wants to jump inside the TV and make everything better... and then Raskolnikov awakes to discover it was just a dream. I swear that my sigh of relief fully eclipsed his! But that's how far into this story I became, how much I really cared about it. That doesn't happen often.(less)

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Jul 12, 2008 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, 2008, not-worth-it

My star rating is purely subjective and means only what GR says it means: I didn't like it. It didn't mean anything to me, sadly, and I didn't even find it to be an interesting story. I'm not saying it's a terrible book; in fact, I'd be very interested to hear what others think (reviews are a bit light for this book here I see).

First, I have a confession to make: I got two thirds of the way through and skimmed the rest. Well, worse than that: I flipped through and got the gist, but such is the...more My star rating is purely subjective and means only what GR says it means: I didn't like it. It didn't mean anything to me, sadly, and I didn't even find it to be an interesting story. I'm not saying it's a terrible book; in fact, I'd be very interested to hear what others think (reviews are a bit light for this book here I see).

First, I have a confession to make: I got two thirds of the way through and skimmed the rest. Well, worse than that: I flipped through and got the gist, but such is the way it's written you can't even skim. I just really had to put the book to rest, and it made me feel miserable thinking about making myself keep reading it. Reading should never make you miserable, so I did something I rarely ever do, and it nags at me but, well, there you have it.

The premise sounds interesting, and I had high hopes it would be one that would suck me in and captivate me. It's not that I had particularly high expectations - I didn't really have any expectations, though I thought it might be heavy on the intellectual side of things - but it was apparent from fairly early on that it wasn't going to be my kind of book.

It's Petersburg and a young student, Raskolnikov, is pawning his only valuables to an old crone, Alyona Ivanovna, who lives in a small apartment with her sister Lizaveta. He hasn't been able to afford to go to uni in several months, and his dress and manner makes him seem even lower class than he is. In desperation he hatches a plan to murder Alyona and rob her. He carries this out, killing not just her but her simple-minded sister who returns home unexpectedly, and in his fear and haste flees the scene with only some pawned trinkets and a small pouch.

His guilt manifests itself in fever and delirium, and he behaves very strangely thereafter. His friend and fellow student, Razumikhin, puts up with an awful lot and generously gives his time and efforts to help Raskolnikov; his mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna and his sister, Dunechka, come to town to prepare for Dunya's marriage to an odious man; and Raskolnikov becomes somewhat obsessed with the family of a poor alcoholic who dies early on, in particular his eldest daughter Sonya, who had to become a prostitute in order to make some money for her family.

There's a lot of twoing and froing, a lot of agonising on Raskolnikov's part, and a lot of exclaiming. I wouldn't even have minded but Raskolnikov became such a bore, I didn't even want to slap, I just wanted to ignore him. It comes down mostly to the way it was written, which I didn't care for and which made the book a real slog.

I know this is some kind of work of genius, but if that's true, then I just felt stupid. It all seemed pretty obvious to me. No doubt if I made the effort I could see something special here, but it's like The Red and the Black - other people find the psychological melodrama truly fascinating, but to me, it's just melodrama, which I loathe. There's also no mystery, and not much suspense. There's a somewhat clever police inspector investigating the murder, but the game of cat-and-mouse the blurb enticed me with fell flat pretty quickly, and there was nothing left to hold me.

The blurb describes the book as "a preternaturally acute investigation of the forces that impel a man toward sin, suffering and grace." Uh huh. You can tell I'm really impressed can't you? It reads more like an account of a man going mad and being really self-centred, but after my sorry lack of appreciation for the equally masterful The Red and the Black, is it any surprise that I didn't like this book at all? If you're looking for a good story, this isn't it.

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Oct 11, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: loves-of-my-life

Oh, Rasky!!!!!!!! You idiot.

Spoilers ahead:

--Damn! I felt Raskolnikov's anxiety. I resented his mother when he did and I loved her when he did. I felt sick at the thought of Luzhin or Svidrigailov getting their hooks in dear Dunya (shout out to Dunya!) I wanted Porfiry to just accuse him, already! I guess I'm saying that Dostoevsky managed to make a very real character that I believed enough to mentally and physically align myself with while reading. This is what ultimately kept me turning the...more Oh, Rasky!!!!!!!! You idiot.

Spoilers ahead:

--Damn! I felt Raskolnikov's anxiety. I resented his mother when he did and I loved her when he did. I felt sick at the thought of Luzhin or Svidrigailov getting their hooks in dear Dunya (shout out to Dunya!) I wanted Porfiry to just accuse him, already! I guess I'm saying that Dostoevsky managed to make a very real character that I believed enough to mentally and physically align myself with while reading. This is what ultimately kept me turning the pages.

--I find it a miracle that I liked Raskolnikov. His personality--at least that suggested in the character's essay On Crime--isn't one that I tend to sympathize with. The scholar who thinks he's a super-human and therefore above or aside from others is someone who I want to punch in the nuts, normally. A complete lack of humility is not sexy. I liked him, anyway. I think we weren't seeing him at his finest, and the way that Dunya and his mother and that swell chap Razumikhin loved him suggested so.

--What was up with Sonya? Why was she so good? Why did she love him and follow him to Siberia? DANG! I've always had a soft spot for the wounded and/or pathetic men of the world, so I'm familiar with this theme, but still. But still. STILL, goodreaders! How could Sonya be that good?

--Speaking of o_O, what was up with all the madness and dizziness and delirium in this book?! I've known people in pretty distressing situations and tragic despair...and they didn't immediately get a fever. Was there some sort of Russian virus that lay dormant until stress levels rose? There must've been because it sent Raskol into delirium where he shouted out murder clues in his sleep, killed Katerina Ivanovna (though, to be fair, she was dying, anyway), caused Dunya to betray her brother to her mother while sleeping ("She was raving!") and then finally killed his poor mother after a few years of being batshit. O_o?

--I find Dostoevsky's personal story, weaved in with Raskolnikov's, to be very interesting, and I appreciated the translator's endnotes that helped me piece these together. I would like to read more about him before reading "Notes from Underground."

--My favorite moment was when he was serving hard time and realized he loved Sonya. Maybe this makes me a sap, but it was such a relief to know that he could feel, again. The other prisoners hated him less after that, which makes all the sense in the world.

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Jan 03, 2011 Matt rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The problem with being a high school student with average intelligence is that you can get fairly good grades with fairly minimal effort. It is an invitation to cut corners and utilize only one half your ass. This happened to me in English class. I'd sit back, take good notes, and bluff my way through various tests (this was back in the day before Google, when my family only had an AOL dial-up connection and all the answers, right and wrong, were on the internet). For these sins, I am now fated...more

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May 22, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, russian, 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die, philosophy, crime, favourites, mwas-top-100-crime-novels, classics-club, to-reread, 19th-century

While I often find it hard to review a classic novel because we already know it’s stood the test of time, it is even harder to review one that has been translated into English as well. Some of the beauty in the writing could have been lost in the translation and because there is so many different translations out there, how do you choose which one to read. This version of Crime and Punishment was translated by David McDuff and I must admit I didn’t really notice anything wrong with the translati...more While I often find it hard to review a classic novel because we already know it’s stood the test of time, it is even harder to review one that has been translated into English as well. Some of the beauty in the writing could have been lost in the translation and because there is so many different translations out there, how do you choose which one to read. This version of Crime and Punishment was translated by David McDuff and I must admit I didn’t really notice anything wrong with the translation at all. It was only upon reflecting that I realised that something could have been lost in the translation.

I have to admit I really love Russian literature and Crime and Punishment will be the front runner for my favourite Russian piece of literature. Raskolnikov is a conflicted character; he is showing a lot of interest in the classes and thinking he is of a higher class than others believes he has the right to commit murder. Contrary to the title, this novel doesn’t really focus on the crime or the punishment but rather the inner turmoil of Raskolnikov as well as the impact on his intellect and emotions. It is not until the very end that the sense of guilt overwhelms him and he confesses and ends his alienation.

Despite the rest of the characters in this book, the bulk of this novel plays out in the mind of Raskolnikov. Fyodor Dostoyevsky must have been a very skilled writer to be able to get into the mindset of such a deranged mind. While the murder of two people is definitely a crime, I think the moral that comes across in this book is that the biggest crime was that Raskolnikov placed himself above his fellow man. I wonder if Dostoyevsky was trying to also show the reader the dangers of rationalism and maybe utilitarianism.

I’m really surprised how fast I got through this book and the fact that I really enjoyed this book even though I was warned time and time again that this was a very difficult book and not to expect to enjoy it. I’m a huge fan of a book that deals with the inner turmoil of a person especially in a macabre way. It reminded me so much of Markheim by Robert Louis Stevenson and makes me wonder if books like the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsey were influenced by this classic novel. I have a feeling that I will be thinking about this book for a long time and might have to reread it one day.

Reveiw taken from my blog;
http://literary-exploration.com/2012/...(less)

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Jul 26, 2010 JSou rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001, classics, favo-u-rites, i-own-you

Oh, Fyodor.

Who else could keep me up and awake night after night, even though I promise myself every morning to go to bed at a decent hour?

Who else can create such authentic human emotions that I feel I'm experiencing all of them myself?

Who else would make me subject my kids to dinners of grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs, or frozen waffles just to spend more time with you?

There is no one else. Only you.

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Sep 26, 2010 tim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Where to possibly begin? I feel both intimidated and compelled to write something, anything about this 144 year-old pinnacle of literature. What more could I add that hasn’t already been said, probably nothing. And still I feel I must write down my immediate thoughts if for no other reason than to show respect.

So far C&P is my first and only foray into Dostoevsky. It will certainly not be my last. His writing seems to contain everything. Every perspective, every thought, every emotion, at le...more Where to possibly begin? I feel both intimidated and compelled to write something, anything about this 144 year-old pinnacle of literature. What more could I add that hasn’t already been said, probably nothing. And still I feel I must write down my immediate thoughts if for no other reason than to show respect.

So far C&P is my first and only foray into Dostoevsky. It will certainly not be my last. His writing seems to contain everything. Every perspective, every thought, every emotion, at least those belonging to the characters contained within this book. Layer upon layer of meaning overflow on every page. An entire city comes to life, a foreign yet strangley relatable city that transcends time and is as relevant today as the year it was written.

And the humor, I had no idea there would be such humor among so much anticipated suffering. One scene early on in the book that comes to mind: Raskolnikov in the police station, summoned there because of an accumulated failure to pay rent. Next to him in the room is a German whorehouse madame summoned there for repeated noise disturbances. Her behavior in front of the police chief is nothing short of slapstick comedy. The way she curtsies all over the room while speaking to the chief (conveyed in a phonetic German accent) had me doing my own curtsy to keep from peeing myself.

A somewhat less comedic, yet vastly more complex scene (and one of my favorites) occurs at the Marmeladov memorial meal. How the conniving Luzhin is called out on his attempt to set-up and accuse Sonya of theft. The masterfully crafted tension and public humiliation is so satisfying, I still feel drunk from its grip.

Unrelated to anything above, I would like to mention something about Svidrigailov, one of the book's most conflicted and complicated characters (besides Raskolnikov). Upon their first meeting, Svidrigailov attempts to convince Raskolnikov how similar they. More importantly, Svidrigailov confesses to him that he sees the ghosts of those he killed:

Ghosts are, so to speak, bits and pieces of other worlds, their beginnings. The healthy man, naturally, has no call to see them, because the healthy man is the most earthly of men, and therefore he ought to live according to life here, for the sake of completeness and order. Well, but as soon as a man gets sick, as soon as the normal earthly order of his organism is disrupted, the possibility of another world at once begins to make itself known, and the sicker one is, the greater the contact with this other world, so that when a man dies altogether, he goes to the other world directly.

However, Raskolnikov never sees the ghosts of those he has killed, no matter how deliriously sick and delusional he becomes. Which highlights the primary difference between him and Svidrigailov. Raskolnikov is still a man of this world. While Svidrigailov’s fate suggests he had one foot in the next world all along.

The only part of the book I struggle with has to do with Sonya. I have a hard time believing anyone would give up everything and follow Raskolnikov to Siberia. Especially since he murdered her friend Lizaveta. True, he was supposedly a rather good looking fellow. Also true, he never planned to kill Lizaveta, but he did. And without much hesitation. And yes, it’s true Raskolnikov showed random acts of charity towards Sonya's family, but still. She barely knew him and yet had no problem instantly forgiving him and moving to the same Siberian town where he was to spend eight years of hard labor. Maybe I’ve just never met anyone like that before. It was a difficult sell.

Otherwise, that is my only beef. In rereading the first handful of pages, I see this book unfolding deeper and more completely with future readings. In the end, all I can really say is that I am humbly grateful to have finally had my Dostoevsky cherry popped.
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Sep 28, 2007 Crystal T rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: russian lovers

Shelves: zrussians

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The writing is a bit pedantic at times, and a paragraph can span two pages in places. The best thing about the book is that the tediousness of reading the book is much like a reflection of the tedious state of mind of the criminal, on a smaller scale.

In the act of reading the novel, you begin to tire of the constant nervous state of wondering, thinking, over analyzing, that Raskolnikov is doing; this makes the act of reading a bit heavy, but is actually clever if intended by the author.

The fra...more The writing is a bit pedantic at times, and a paragraph can span two pages in places. The best thing about the book is that the tediousness of reading the book is much like a reflection of the tedious state of mind of the criminal, on a smaller scale.

In the act of reading the novel, you begin to tire of the constant nervous state of wondering, thinking, over analyzing, that Raskolnikov is doing; this makes the act of reading a bit heavy, but is actually clever if intended by the author.

The frame of mind that the criminal seemingly feels is projected into the reader's mind through the act of reading itself. For two reasons- the first (and obvious) being that the events told cause you to think about them from the pov of the criminal. More interestingly though, is that the way it is written (certain syntax, sentence placement, questions, hurried and/or deluded passages) actually produces an agitated state of mind, similar to that of the criminal. You're not only thinking about the philosophy of the novel, which is agitating enough-- the sentences you're reading are shaping the way you think as well.

The character is asking himself a question, and answering it. And asking and answering, over and over, so you, as the reader, are reading his conclusions, making your own as well, and seeing it all in the larger scope of the other characters... however, while you're thinking about all that, you hardly notice when the sentences have picked up and become almost frenzied at times... when you put the book down, it really feels like you've gone through something.

It's fascinating to me that the manner in which a novel is written can agitate me just as much as the contents of that same novel. (Fury, by Salman Rushdie, is the same way.)

The ending really killed it for me though; the book was not past redemption, because though it was heavy, I enjoy the elements of Russian novel writing, including the detailed passages about feelings and psychological workings of each of the characters. To end a 600 page philosophical novel about all of the varying concepts and points of view behind crime and the criminal mind with a few pages with Raskolnikov's sudden realization that pure love will set him free... this I just can't abide. Deus ex machina, badly done. (less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Michela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hearts-books

Un grande, immenso ed incredibile romanzo.

In “Delitto e Castigo” Dostoevskij riversa tutto il proprio genio il quale non verte solo sull’ambito letterario, ma si avvale anche di profonde conoscenze filosofiche, politiche, psicologiche e sociali.

Sono molto orgogliosa di questa lettura; dopo un inizio zoppicante e complicato stavo quasi per gettare la spugna, pensavo “ma è possibile che questo tanto decantato romanzo sia tutto qui?”, non ho ceduto alla voglia che avevo di uscire da quelle atmosfe...more

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Dec 01, 2011 Tanu rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic, emotional-drama, serious-literature, really-good, well-developed-plot, all-time-favorite

In the novel Namesake, Ashok’s grandfather tells him to always ‘trust the Russians’. Damn good advice he gives him there. Every piece of Russian literature I have read till now is adequate proof, and this novel just reaffirms this belief. What irks me though is that, it took me so long to discover Dostoyevsky. Anyway, now that I did discover him, I plan on reading every thing he has ever written. (Same pinch Tarun, he he)

The novel depicts the journey of Raskolnikov, the main protagonist. After l...more In the novel Namesake, Ashok’s grandfather tells him to always ‘trust the Russians’. Damn good advice he gives him there. Every piece of Russian literature I have read till now is adequate proof, and this novel just reaffirms this belief. What irks me though is that, it took me so long to discover Dostoyevsky. Anyway, now that I did discover him, I plan on reading every thing he has ever written. (Same pinch Tarun, he he)

The novel depicts the journey of Raskolnikov, the main protagonist. After losing his position in the university due to lack of funds, he becomes a prey to all the new ideas floating around in Russia at that time. He thinks that he can rationalize murder, and not feel any guilt and the whole book focuses on this journey from arrogance to repentance. Dostoyevsky is deliberate in his criticism of hyper rationalism. He also successfully explores other themes like women sacrificing themselves for their family (Dounia and Sonya), and the hypocrisy of individuals in letting them do so (Dounia’s mother and the Marmeladovas).

Along with Raskolnikov, he has also done a good job in developing other characters. Svidrigailov especially, was a very very interesting character (almost as much as Raskolnikov himself). Loved the cat and mouse games between Rodia (that’s Raskolnikov) and the police inspector and the dreams and the meaning behind them.
After all this praise perhaps it’s not logical of me to whine about the names. But I plan on doing so anyway. Why is a person mentioned as Razmikhin in one scene an as Dmitri Prokofich in another. Is it not enough to have teeth shattering names in the first place? But, no, they have to have 3 part names, and nick names too. So a person is called Luzhin in one scene, Pyotr Petrovich in another (try to say that 5 times quickly). Also, out so all the numerous Russian names out here, one character has to be named Zametoff and another Zosimoff. One is called, Porfiry Petrovich another Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin. Also, this book can really use an editor.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED though, totally worth the hard work and patience.
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Mar 25, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Readers who want a story that has a good message but isn't preachy

Shelves: classic, required-reading, redemption, antihero, russian-literature

With such beginning marred by a horrifying act of violence, this book could have easily been a depressing tragedy. But it is a book about redemption, forgiveness, and hope. I feel that this book gives the message that a person can always choose to turn their life around. They hold their fate in their hands by the choice to do the right thing. I started reading this book, not very happy that it was required reading. Before I knew it, I was eager to turn each page to see this man's journey from th...more

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Jun 06, 2010 Laura Leaney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a GREAT book of literature. It is a mesmerizing, hypnotizing, fascinating look at the human mind and its drives and motivations. The book's central concerns are so varied and so relevant as to take away one's breath. What is covered? Only the nature of man, the nature of evil, the conflict between fate and free will, the effects of poverty and environment on the psyche, the significance of dreams, the moral dilemmas inherent in utilitarianism, the significance of suffering, the effects o...more This is a GREAT book of literature. It is a mesmerizing, hypnotizing, fascinating look at the human mind and its drives and motivations. The book's central concerns are so varied and so relevant as to take away one's breath. What is covered? Only the nature of man, the nature of evil, the conflict between fate and free will, the effects of poverty and environment on the psyche, the significance of dreams, the moral dilemmas inherent in utilitarianism, the significance of suffering, the effects of guilt, the nature of existential action, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary human beings, and perhaps most importantly, the possibility for redemption. "Crime and Punishment" takes us into the congested, stinking, summer streets of St. Petersburg in 1865 and forces us to contemplate the geography of our own mind by following the sick anxiety of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov as he contemplates murder (and does it) then suicide (and rejects it). The punishment that follows is gothic, thriller-like! We meet doppelgangers and doubles, and we watch as the detective Porfiry Petrovich hunts him down using psychoanalytical tools new to the time. Dostoyevsky is acutely aware of the troubles inherent in the modern mind: the conflict between spirituality/religion/God and the desire for free will/greatness/social progress. Some people find Raskolnikov "whiny," and in a way he is, but what he is whining about concerns mankind's social ills, and they are not trivial.

I first read this novel in high school. I did not find it an easy read then. But I could not get Raskolnikov out of my mind. His behavior fascinated me - and although my situation was nothing like Raskolnikov's, I couldn't help but understand his anger and his self-loathing. Alfred Kazin said that Raskolnikov is Dostoyevsky's Hamlet, his "deranged prince - a prince passing through great turmoil, unkind to those who love him best, suspicious of everyone; a prince who has killed [. . .:] out of impatience at his own weakness - yet a prince nevertheless, one of the true souls among men." To me, he is also a prince of suffering. He is one of the most tortured souls in literature, and although I was never a complete fan of the epilogue, I always loved him and wished and wished that he would find his peace in that pastoral Siberian prison Dostoyevsky puts him in.

The writing is concentrated, purposeful. Every scene works to advance the possibility of Raskolnikov's confession and "resurrection." All of the primary symbols of the unconscious are here: blood, water, enclosed spaces (coffins, closets) are but to name a few. Characters pop up as if they arrive from "underground" as reminders of guilt. There are rumors of women raped, children who hang themselves in garrets, and beatings. There is nowhere that Raskolnikov to go to escape the violence, the depravity, and worse, the horror of his own crime. This is a marvelous book. Do not let the complexity and the length deter you from reading it.(less)

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Jun 18, 2012 Kata S. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-ebooks

Dostoyevsky is ideal for both the casual reader and the ardent devotees of Russian classics. Really he is!

Dostoyevsky is well recognize as a literary genius. Some devote themselves to studying his works their entire life. In varying degrees of devotion, there are readers who enjoy him in periodic doses. I'm that type of reader. I impose long intervals between digesting Dostoyevsky's novels so as to stretch his works across the length of my literary life. Then there is the casual reader of novels...more Dostoyevsky is ideal for both the casual reader and the ardent devotees of Russian classics. Really he is!

Dostoyevsky is well recognize as a literary genius. Some devote themselves to studying his works their entire life. In varying degrees of devotion, there are readers who enjoy him in periodic doses. I'm that type of reader. I impose long intervals between digesting Dostoyevsky's novels so as to stretch his works across the length of my literary life. Then there is the casual reader of novels. The person who maybe reads ten books a year. Often these readers are afraid to pick up a Russian novel. But a reader should never doubt their ability to understand or enjoy a book simply based on the clout it carries. A book isn't a challenge, unless you make it one. A book can be enjoyable on the most basic level or a lengthy literary dissection. It is the reader's choice. That's why I feel Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment is a Russian classic for every type of reader.

I hesitated to write a review on this book because I feel there should be a solid reason for other Goodreads members to seek out ANOTHER book review for this novel. But maybe this review will appeal to the reader who fears diving into a Russian classic. Crime and Punishment has so many layers that it can enthrall any type of reader. Dostoyevsky wrote for everyone. It is my hope that this review will get one person to take the leap and try a little classic Russian. Read a chapter a night with some vodka. Feel your inner Russian grow strong no matter what type of reader you are.

Let's talk about the book now:

Raskolnikov is the main character and the plot revolves around his life, his decisions, his acquaintances and family. He is an intelligent man, a former student, who lives in a filthy tiny apartment in St. Petersburg. He is someone who has become extremely down on his luck so to speak. And because of his unfortunate circumstances, his judgment becomes poor and his actions become dangerous.

***key plot topic - avoid if necessary***
Raskolnikov conceives a plot to murder a woman for minimal monetary gain. Though he conceives the plot as flawless, he ends up murdering not just the one woman he intended, but another. From this point forward in the novel his the poor judgment takes a firm hold of him and madness starts to settle in. He becomes physically sick from the stress and circumstance.
***end plot topic***

Raskolnikov living with the secreted knowledge of his actions attempts to justify them. He lectures on humanity and at the same time he is giving reason to his recent behavior. He categorizes mankind by saying there is the first category: men who are conservative and law abiding, they love to be controlled. Then the second category: men who defy the law, they are destroyers, but they cause progress. He theorizes that both types of men are relative and varied, but what Raskolnikov truly contemplates is whether there are men who can and should live above the law (the men of the second category). Do these men have the right to kill others? He speaks of many famous men of the past who he believes were of the second category and that without them transgressing, the world would not have moved forward. In essence, Raskolinkov believes men of the first category are merely ordinary. Those of the second category are extraordinary. He is disillusioned and becomes grandiose while contemplating these two categories of man. Furthermore, Raskolnikov believes firmly that he is of the second category of man. And as his mind runs with these theories, he believes that pain and suffering are always inevitable for a man with a large intelligence and a deep heart. "The really great men, must, I think, have great sadness." Raskolinkov is building himself up bigger and bigger while internally he is falling apart living with the secreted knowledge of his actions. He is like a child justifying his behavior when he well knows full well of his transgression. Through the entire novel he carries about this disillusionment of his person. It is infrequent that Raskolnikov totters on along the edges of sanity. After much time has passed, his tottering on the brink of potential sanity, he finally understands that he broke the law. And that even though he is in the second category of man that there are consequences for his actions. He pulls away from his prior grandiosity and states that, "Of course, in that case many of the benefactors of mankind who snatched power for themselves instead of inheriting it ought to have been punished at their first steps." It is then he falls trepidly into the first category of man.

Dostoevsky is a master who can intertwine layers of sociological, psychological and theological matters constantly page after page in every novel. I can understand how this could overwhelm a casual reader but it shouldn't because the reader has the choice to absorb whatever they choose in a Dostoevsky novel. It's like swimming in the ocean. You can choose to stay close to the shoreline or swim far out where the water is deep. It is the reader's choice what to draw and share with others from a novel.(less)

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Mar 23, 2012 Ghadasedik rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

كعادتي لم أستطع أن أصبر حتي أنهيها و أكتم ما في صدري.
دستويفسكي عبقري , فذ في ولوج المناطق الوعرة للنفس الإنسانية و إبرازها بسهولة.
شخصيات رواياته مبالغ فيها, يتعمد أن يضفي عليها مسحة ساخرة ب"لخبطتها" , سواء في ملامحها أو أسلوبها.
إنها تلك السخرية المرَة من المعاناة و البؤس الشديد الذي نراه من حولنا مقابل فئة قليلة تنعم برفاهية باذخة لا منطقية.
إنها السخرية الناتجة عن عدم القدرة علي فهم الحكمة من وجود هذا البؤس , و العجز عن تغييره.

لكن بجمعه متناقضات في الشخصية, تصير الشخصية صادقة و قريبة إلي القار...more

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Apr 23, 2008 Tyler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone

Shelves: 19th-century, superb

My next-favorite book, after Notes From Underground. The storytelling is captivating. The characterization of life in St. Petersburg is superb, and the final two dream sequences color the narrative with an ethereal passion unlike anything else I've read.

If you read this book, you'll see why Dostoyevsky is among the greatest writers. Besides the narration, the dialog, too, is engrossing. Most of the action unfolds over four days, so the timing is compressed. Adding to the tension, the action is...more My next-favorite book, after Notes From Underground. The storytelling is captivating. The characterization of life in St. Petersburg is superb, and the final two dream sequences color the narrative with an ethereal passion unlike anything else I've read.

If you read this book, you'll see why Dostoyevsky is among the greatest writers. Besides the narration, the dialog, too, is engrossing. Most of the action unfolds over four days, so the timing is compressed. Adding to the tension, the action is compressed further into a single city.

This technique of the storytelling accentuates the sense of life in the Russian capital during the 1860's. One's sympathy is engaged, as the plot unfolds, by the dawning realization that the urban, anonymous life we take for granted now was an unprecedented, frightening and disturbing phenomenon to the people who lived at that time.

While all the sub-plots are jewels in themselves, for me one especially affecting story arc concerns the woman with tuberculosis, which the author depicts with amazing talent.

Another striking aspect of the book, for those who live in the vacuous scream that passes for discourse in our modern media, is the author's ability to represent all his characters' opposing lifestyles and opinions in a way that would be fair, even sympathetic, to each person. Dostoyevsky demonstrates this unusual grasp of differing points of view in all his works I've read, and this singular talent of his makes the difference between a good book and a superb one in every case.

I thought the ending was a bit overdone and a tad out of key with the rest of the story, although many readers will disagree with me on that score. Even so ...

For those who have read it: My favorite character -- Svidrigailov.

The book exudes an unusual power to draw the sympathies of modern readers onto the special problems of 19th-century lives. No, I shouldn't say "special." Rather, it causes you to feel for the people on a highly personal level. Yes, that's it; that's what gives the book its exceptional power. (less)

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Dec 28, 2007 Vanja Antonijevic rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those that love psychologically driven books, with a deeper underlying philosophy

Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment" and "Notes from Underground" are his most popular and famous works. And deservedly so. Dostoevsky’s "Brothers Karamazov", on the other hand, is his most critically acclaimed work- regarded by many as the best novel ever written. And deservedly so.

While "Brothers Karamazov" is Dostoevsky’s longest, but also best, most subtle, and complex work, Crime and Punishment and "Notes from Underground" are shorter, easier to read, and more entertaining. This is not to p...more Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment" and "Notes from Underground" are his most popular and famous works. And deservedly so. Dostoevsky’s "Brothers Karamazov", on the other hand, is his most critically acclaimed work- regarded by many as the best novel ever written. And deservedly so.

While "Brothers Karamazov" is Dostoevsky’s longest, but also best, most subtle, and complex work, Crime and Punishment and "Notes from Underground" are shorter, easier to read, and more entertaining. This is not to put down the other two books. I place "Brothers Karamazov" above the other two only because it is arguably the best book ever written, and only the best of many of Dostoevsky’s masterpieces. Crime and Punishment is another masterpiece and a great book.

As mentioned, Crime and Punishment may be Dostoevsky's most readable and entertaining longer novel. It is by far the best psychological study I have read, and owes much of its entertainment value to the psychological insight it presents.

Then the question may be: psychological insight into what? Well, nothing less than that of an intellectual murderer. The fun of the novel is in the psychological collapse of the protagonist’s mind, as he slowly becomes more and more obsessed and paranoid. Some of the thrill is also in the cat-and-mouse game that the inspector plays with the protagonist. Finally, some additional delight comes from the plot itself, and the actions involved.

That being said, this book is not primarily cheap entertainment (although it does well in this department), nor a psychological study (even Freud admired Dostoevsky), but rather it focuses on the philosophical, moral, and religious implications of the actions, the mental states, and the (internal and external) punishments that the protagonist must endure. As most of Dostoevsky’s books, this one is essentially about faith, doubt, and rationalism.

To conclude, if I would recommend an introduction to my favorite author (Dostoevsky), it would probably be "Crime and Punishment" (or "Notes from Underground"). This is especially recommended to those who love psychological thrills.

(less)

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Mar 02, 2007 erock rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those teetering on the edge

I believe Cypress Hill said it best when they said "Here is one thing you can't understand...how I could just kill a man."
So true, so true.
That is, until reading this book.
I'm not a communist, nor do I think very highly of Russia, what with their tundras, meltdowns, and backwards R's. Not to mention their furry hats. I get it, it's cold, but really, you just look goofy in that hat. Did you ever see that episode of Cops-In Moscow? Exactly.

I also think people who think that Dostoevsky is the gr...more

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May 10, 2010 V i r t u e .. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

تصف الآلام النفسية لـ ( قاتل ) ما كاد يُتم جريمته حتى يبدأ عقابه الباطني و تأنيب الضمير , فيقوده التفكير المستمر في جريمته إلى الاعتراف آخر الأمر بها لينال العقوبة التي يستحق ..

سير الأحداث فيها بطيء ومشاهدها محدودة تكاد تكون خالية من العقدة فيكفي أن 38 فصلاً منها ـ من أصل 40 ـ كانت تصف دقائق 12 يوماً فقط ! ..
وبالرغم من ذلك فهي مذهلة في تصويرها العميق للنفس البشرية ودوافعها من خلال التحليل النفسي لكل موقف .. فيكاد التعبير فيها عن الانفعالات يطغى على ما مسواه ..

تمتاز هذه الترجمة الصادرة عن دار ا...more

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May 19, 2012 Roo78lm rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

لم أشعر يوماً بأن هناك رواية أستطيع أن أختمها بدموع سعادة .. ليس لأنها رائعة و أكاد أشعر بأنني لن أكف عن تذكرها ما حييت ، ليس لهذا فقط !
بل لأنها دوستويفسكي قد كتب فيها حياة كُل إنسان فينا ، كتب ما نرفض أن نعترف أنه فينا ، و ما نحن سعيدون بأنه خُلقنا به ، كتب كُل ما قد يختلج في صدورنا ولا نحكيه ، كتب أعماق أعماق سيكولوجية الإنسان في ( إنسان ) ليكون أقرب إلينا . أعجز أن أصف المزيد بصدق ، أشعر بأن لا شيء سيفي هذا العمل حقه
ملاحظة : نقاء وطهارة الأعمال الروسية أذهلتني ، رغم أن بإستطاعة دوستويفسكي أ...more

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Oct 08, 2012 agent zero rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ottocento, russi-e-slavi

La storia di un uomo comune invaso e posseduto da un'idea fuori dal comune.
Un'idea che lo ammalia e ammala, che forse può renderlo immortale, ma lo fa sentire abietto e miserabile.
E solo quando, alla fine di un lungo calvario fatto di alterni momenti di esaltazione e prostrazione, questa idea viene espulsa dalla sua testa, ecco che l'uomo comune può tentare di tornare a vivere una vita comune, redimersi e amare.
Il miglior romanzo sul crimine che abbia mai letto.

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Oct 11, 2012 Derrick rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, classic, fiction, historical, owned-in-hc, philosophy, theology

I can easily see someone giving this a 2star rating, as it is rambling and about (view spoiler).

But the reasons I gave it a 5star are the following:
1) Excellent writing. Even translated, Dostoyevsky's genius shines through. Descriptions of places, of humans, of human reaction to external and internal stimuli.

2) Portrayal of humanity. This was spot on and enlightening. A murderer, a crazy woman, a whore, a dru...more

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Dec 19, 2012 nik rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: real-horrowshow

The intense psychological pressure from Raskolnikov(Main Character) is something I can empathize. I feel like I'm Raskolnikov. I projected myself as him. His hysteric symptoms, hypochondrias, thought processes, suffering and disgust. Identification really played a big part here. To emphatize a murderer, and to find yourself to having that kind of capacity to do the same. At some very clear point, our minds meet. And I am not surprised. Every single time I watch the News from the Television and r...more The intense psychological pressure from Raskolnikov(Main Character) is something I can empathize. I feel like I'm Raskolnikov. I projected myself as him. His hysteric symptoms, hypochondrias, thought processes, suffering and disgust. Identification really played a big part here. To emphatize a murderer, and to find yourself to having that kind of capacity to do the same. At some very clear point, our minds meet. And I am not surprised. Every single time I watch the News from the Television and read from the newspapers, I feel the same way Raskolnikov felt for the pawnbroker. Pure, very reasonable disgust. To exterminate all the corrupt politicians and criminals(or any of that sort), one must shed blood. Skulls are thick. Words don't work. The violence is necessary. One life in exchange for millions. Would that hurt the world that much? Though violence was necessary, what kind of peace would transpire from it?

Click here to read a faint literary attempt to save the world

Raskolnikov thinks that Napoleon was the greatest superman. He believes that Napoleon wouldn't have had a problem committing murder and that he would not be feeling any guilt at all over the matter; being able to accomplish goals for his principle and for the benefit of others. To commit crime by principle.

The antihero, Raskolnikov, driven by that ideal suffered from tremendous symptoms. Even my stomach reacted when I was reading this book. If you would just step into his shoes, you'll somehow experience that mind-melting psychological tension.

The book shows how dangerous it is to think of yourself as an Overman(as Nietzsche coined it) or an Extraordinary man(as Sir Fyodor coined it) more or less, they're the same. Those who where born extraordinary carry the burden of the awareness of such principle.

In the end, would he submit himself with dignity and taking complete responsibility for whatever he had done?

Conscience, to submit to it, is a divine attribute of the strong. And to surrender, sometimes, is the bravest thing a human being can ever do.

Another thing, the way Dostoyevsky used Dreams in all his writings(especially in this book) gave me goosebumps. The dream distortion was vividly displayed for understanding. The mechanisms of wish-fulfillment and symbolism were really showed in each of his character's dreams. Freud must have been really influenced much by Sir Fyodor. Freud even stated that the book The Karamazov Brothers(Dostovevky's last novel) contained all Psychology and that it was the Most Magnificent Novel Ever Written.. I am now wondering why Sir Fyodor's books were not discussed in our Psychology Classes. I haven't even heard of his name. Seriously, how come?

Dostoyesky's writings primarily deal deeply with the darkest corners of human nature. What lurks beneath our skulls, is it of infinite depth? Can human nature alone, possibly reach that extent of doing such things or was there a God-given impetus or something from a Higher source?
(less)

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Mar 14, 2009 Laurel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub

Damn damn damn
I don't really mind reading this at all! Seriously! So why, once I put it aside to read several other books, can I not muster the energy to finish this dreary masterpiece? I love Russian novels. They make me want to curl up by a fireplace or sit in a coffee shop for several thousand hours. They make me want to tromp around in slushy snow with three pairs of socks on. Reading this was all out of whack for me. It's still 70 degrees here, it never snows, I don't have a fireplace, and...more

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Feb 21, 2008 Geoff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I basically had to stop drinking for a month in order to read it; my friends no longer call. But it's great.

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May 12, 2009 Lizzie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, fang-s-book-club, heard-of-it, 1001-books

So, I am just reading this. Is that legal? It kind of doesn't seem legal. Like I need to submit my resume first. But I'm just going to read it and that's what I'm doing.

Also, 320 editions on GoodReads and not the one I'm reading? Unfair. JUSTICE! It's a theme. I think.

---

Oh my god book! You're over! I thought we might die together.

You earned a 3.5 really, book, because this was a good thing to read. I learned to put aside the prejudices that kept me from reading it for 12 years. For example, it...more So, I am just reading this. Is that legal? It kind of doesn't seem legal. Like I need to submit my resume first. But I'm just going to read it and that's what I'm doing.

Also, 320 editions on GoodReads and not the one I'm reading? Unfair. JUSTICE! It's a theme. I think.

---

Oh my god book! You're over! I thought we might die together.

You earned a 3.5 really, book, because this was a good thing to read. I learned to put aside the prejudices that kept me from reading it for 12 years. For example, it is actually quite easy to read, with almost no crazy prosaic dreamscapes where the symbolism claws your eyes out. (I like my symbolism a little gentler.) Several of the philosophical conclusions and personal attitudes hit home. I liked that there are a couple of important women in it, because I thought that it would pretty much be a man book. His sister Dounia is the smartest character, though, and Sonia has some of the best scenes although she is also more the type of idolized woman who does show up in man books.

It is a city book, which makes you imagine visiting its city (St. Petersburg), but through a time machine. It is the best history lesson I've had on 19th-century Russia (meaning, I've had none), and it interested me to learn a bit on the side. Particularly about the 1861 emancipation of the serfs, which I'd never heard of in my life but is an enormous fact. It is only mentioned two or three times in the book, but I think there are clues that this and related social changes -- specific immigrant groups, and economic shifts -- were a critical piece of Dostoevsky's writing in 1866. He saw his country as a real place, where real consequences included real Siberia, and real people could wind up unfathomably rudderless, and he meant it all for a novel.

I am rounding the stars down, though, because sometimes there was too much muddle. The clarification of Rodion's motives weaved in and out, and sometimes I just forgot, or I wondered if the book forgot that it was about this guy and his crime, remember, from the title? And though often the symptoms of his bleak rock-bottom are extremely relatable, other times I could not help but think, Cheer up, emo Raskolnikov! I also really did think I would be reading it forever. I was pretty ready for it to be finished well before it was, and the last 50 pages were Sisyphean. I am going to read about 10 really really short books after this so I feel productive again.

Let's have a sidebar on this Bantam Classic edition that I got at the first regional Barnes & Noble near Milwaukee in high school. I'll start with the cover, which I have looked at for the last decade and concluded that this serious book with its severe title was about an old man with a receding hairline and weathered face. Fact: Raskolnikov is 23, and he hasn't even managed to finish a college degree yet. That is a world of difference, in outlook. Also, the back copy promises "a terrifying murder mystery" and "a fascinating detective thriller". And I understand where you are coming from, Bantam Classic, that you shouldn't say, for example, "ponderous novel with a murder, and a detective," but maybe do. The binding broke while I read the first half, and actually I always kind of like it when a book falls apart as I finish it. It usually only happens to the books that earn it, and it did open itself onto the most memorable scene, so thank you.(less)

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Apr 04, 2009 Huyen rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature, philosophy-psychology

I confess my crime that I never actually finished this book. For some odd reason, I got fascinated by Nietzsche in my first year, and that led to Dostoevsky. Basically, I just found the book terribly boring and deleterious (Dostoevsky loves this word doesn't he?) and I couldn't care any less about the main character. And I knew exactly how the book was going to end, so I couldn't bring myself to finish it.
I don't find his reasoning justifiable and the conclusion concerning atheism and rationali...more

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Nov 22, 2012 Harold rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow! Heavy! as we used to say in 60s and 70s. Psychological thriller all the way.Raskolnikov is tortured and blabs his thoughts to too many people. All the characters talk a lot. The plot moves slowly
but inexorably along but Dostoyevsky holds it all together. This needs more than one reading.

A word about Pevear. Look for his translations.

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Jan 27, 2011 Sayaf rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

الكلام كثير كثير جداً عن هالرواية ما راح يكفيها تعليق بسيط ، بس عندي جملة وحدة و متأكد منها و هي :

كل إنسان في هالعالم فيه راسكولينكوف

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Huntsville-Madiso...: Staff Pick - Crime and Punishment	1	2	May 19, 2013 01:27pm
Nietzsche's Ubermensch	9	83	May 19, 2013 01:19pm
حول جريمة دوستويفسكي والعقاب	31	57	May 19, 2013 04:57am
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About Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky (Russian: Фёдор Михайлович Достоевский) was a Russian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer whose psychological penetration into the human soul had a profound influence on the 20th century novel.

Dostoevsky was the second son of a former army doctor. He was educated at home and at a private school. Shortly after the death of his mother in 1837 he was sent to S...more Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky (Russian: Фёдор Михайлович Достоевский) was a Russian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer whose psychological penetration into the human soul had a profound influence on the 20th century novel.

Dostoevsky was the second son of a former army doctor. He was educated at home and at a private school. Shortly after the death of his mother in 1837 he was sent to St. Petersburg, where he entered the Army Engineering College. Dostoevsky's father died in 1839, most likely of apoplexy, but it was rumored that he was murdered by his own serfs. Dostoevsky graduated as a military engineer, but resigned in 1844 to devote himself to writing. His first novel, Poor Folk appeared in 1846.

That year he joined a group of utopian socialists. He was arrested in 1849 and sentenced to death, commuted to imprisonment in Siberia. Dostoevsky spent four years in hard labor and four years as a soldier in Semipalatinsk, a city in what it is today Kazakhstan.

Dostoevsky returned to St. Petersburg in 1854 as a writer with a religious mission and published three works that derive in different ways from his Siberia experiences: The House of the Dead , (1860) a fictional account of prison life, The Insulted and Injured, which reflects the author's refutation of naive Utopianism in the face of evil, and Winter Notes on Summer Impressions, his account of a trip to Western Europe.

In 1857 Dostoevsky married Maria Isaev, a 29-year old widow. He resigned from the army two years later. Between the years 1861 and 1863 he served as editor of the monthly periodical Time, which was later suppressed because of an article on the Polish uprising.

In 1864-65 his wife and brother died and he was burdened with debts. His situation was made even worse by his gambling addiction. From the turmoil of the 1860s emerged Notes from the Underground, a psychological study of an outsider, which marked a major advancement in Dostoevsky's artistic development.

In 1867 Dostoevsky married Anna Snitkin, his 22-year old stenographer. They traveled abroad and returned in 1871. By the time of The Brothers Karamazov (1879-80), Dostoevsky was recognized in his own country as one of its great writers.(less)

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“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.” — 2,079 people liked it

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