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Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Start date: April 1, 2016

Finish date: May 1, 2016

Discussion: Past Group Reads

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What Members Thought

Jun 23, 2013 Maria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club, unreliable-untrustworthy-narrators, russian

I can't believe it took me almost 30 years to read this book, or at least that I never read it in college. It was a really intense reading experience, and I'm shocked that a book written so long ago in such a different culture than my own has the power to keep me flipping pages and move me like this one does. I read the Constance Garnett translation, and I hear the others are better, but this one was free, so there you have it. It was shockingly modern seeming, and funny, and relevant, and it is ...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Susan from MD rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It is such an interesting book, in part because it is not what is expected. The horrific crime is committed early on in the book but the punishment is what takes a different direction than most books about crime and punishment. The introduction notes that the story has been described as the "psychological account of a crime" and that is indeed the focus of the book. How does a person convince himself that he is justified in taking terrible actions and then how does he live with himself afterward It is such an interesting book, in part because it is not what is expected. The horrific crime is committed early on in the book but the punishment is what takes a different direction than most books about crime and punishment. The introduction notes that the story has been described as the "psychological account of a crime" and that is indeed the focus of the book. How does a person convince himself that he is justified in taking terrible actions and then how does he live with himself afterward? When does conviction swerve into madness? Are some lives more valuable than others - and how does that answer play out morally? What role does religion play in fostering moral judgment and in finding redemption?

This intelligent young man, who has always been a bit out of the norm, comes to take the view that crime is permissible for those special people who are superior to the average workers of the world. They are able to step over those who are inferior in order to achieve a greater good. While this view is extreme or misguided, it is initially in the abstract realm of the intellect until Raskolnikov becomes so socially withdrawn and then physically ill that he begins to see that he has the right to advance his own ideas and future by killing an old lady who serves as a rather stingy pawn-broker for the students and other poor people living in mid-19th century St. Petersburg. She becomes the object of his vengence - he is poor, had to leave school, has lost his employment and is becoming destitute (but for his poorly pensioned mother) - as she doles out a pittance for his few remaining possessions. He decides, after a period of fever and delirium, that he is justified in killing her and that the world will be a better place a) without her and b) with him being able to ascend and advance his ideas.

However, once the deed is done, he vacillates between fever, anger, fear, and isolation. He likes to provoke and bully people, as this shows his superiority. Yet, he is also vulnerable and his fear, frustration and despair are so palpable that it's hard not to share his pain. But, he committed a heinous crime. This chaotic and emotional distress associated with dealing with his guilt (even while he tells himself that he was justified) are his true punishment. Once he is formally punished, some things become easier for him.

In addition to his own processing of the crime, we see those who love him struggle to figure out how to help him. Once his guilt comes to light, they support him as best they can. This leads to movements toward redemption and hopefulness at the end of a long and painful journey. The main character feels that he is "special" and destined to accomplish something great, yet is challenged by everyday life. It's interesting and I think plays a role in some other books I read this year - The Catcher in the Rye comes to mind as well. Balancing this feeling of being, in some ways, superior to others (intellectually or via a special talent) with having to function in the regular world presents some interesting stories, if nothing else!

I give the book 4.5/5. Usually when I re-read a book, I can remember the overall plot and characters, but forget some of the details; this book was the opposite, I vaguely recalled the overall story, but remembered certain passages like I read them yesterday (instead of 20+ years ago). ...more

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