Review of 'Crime and Punishment'

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Immensely more readable than the Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment follows the story of a young (ex) university student in the late 1800s, Raskolnikov as he justifies then carries out the murder of an old money-changer (and, in the course of events, her innocent daughter). Raskolnikov's life is complicated by his sister's proposed marriage to a man totally “unsuitable”, his sister and mothers moving to live near him in St. Petersburg (and discuss the wedding) as well as his increasing paranoia. The book is full of discourses on crime, dementia and critiques on aspects of everyday live but is quite readable. The ending is never really much in doubt though the book keeps you in suspence as to how and when it will occur. The resolution of the ending is somewhat lack-luster leaving in my mind, at least, whether or not it is terribly appropriate.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”


Genre: Classic


Other reviewed books by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: