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Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Start date: August 1, 2024

Finish date: August 31, 2024

Discussion: Current Group Reads

Why we're reading this: August 2024 Revisit the Shelf Read

2019 2nd Quarter Long Read

Previous Group Reads:
Old School Classic Grou…more
[close] August 2024 Revisit the Shelf Read

2019 2nd Quarter Long Read

Previous Group Reads:
Old School Classic Group Read, June 2014

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What Members Thought

Sep 25, 2011 Franky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I’m trying to go back and review some of my favorites from years past. I sort of hate reviewing my favorites because I never feel like I do them any justice. Crime and Punishment is one of those. What I love about Dostoevsky is that he digs into the depths of human nature, mankind’s failings and capabilities of redemption. Like many of his novels, self-examination and personal struggle become a key element in Crime and Punishment.

Crime and Punishment examines one man’s decision to murder and hi I’m trying to go back and review some of my favorites from years past. I sort of hate reviewing my favorites because I never feel like I do them any justice. Crime and Punishment is one of those. What I love about Dostoevsky is that he digs into the depths of human nature, mankind’s failings and capabilities of redemption. Like many of his novels, self-examination and personal struggle become a key element in Crime and Punishment.

Crime and Punishment examines one man’s decision to murder and his ultimate punishment for it. While on the surface this may seem a simplistic premise, there is much to the protagonist’s struggle. After Raskolnikov kills an old pawnbroker, he is thrust into a world of both psychological and spiritual anguish. Although believing that his deed will benefit humanity, the act actually takes a different course, and becomes a basis for Raskolnikov’s isolation from his family and friends, and his ultimate inner turmoil.

The atmosphere of Crime and Punishment is both crime drama and psychological thriller, as part of the story is the main character trying to evade detection from his crime, but there are also deep philosophical lessons about man’s ability to reform after such a heinous, callous act. Raskolnikov’s fall from the depths of society—physically, emotionally, spiritually-- is essentially his punishment.

Dostoevsky often paints his characters in a true, and sometimes ugly, light. What gives the book an authentic feel is that this is a fallible, sinful protagonist who has the potential to change. There are also some despicable characters out to test and pull down the protagonist. Sonya, a young girl who is forced to prostitute to support her family, becomes the symbol of purity and a saving grace to Raskolikov.

Over all, Crime and Punishment is a deep and complex novel, one that makes you think deeply about the nature of sin and redemption. It is also an exceptional psychological crime novel, superbly written, and well deserving of its classic status.

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